Exploring an RCD/GFCI for overcurrent damage.
Added 2020-09-14 22:10:55 +0000 UTCI was sent this breaker by Chris of CJR Electrical. It had been in a situation where it may have been exposed to high load current, and he wondered if that was the cause of rogue tripping.
The internal mechanism is quite complex and has no active electronics. Just a smattering of passive components for protection and trip threshold tuning.
Comments
Amazing differences with our electric switchboards in The Netherlands. The maximum current for a fuse is 16A. Maximum main fuse (witch is only acceable by the supplier) is 32A for single phase home installations. All the cable inhouse is 2,5 mm2. For my solar panels I used 4 mm2. For the "security switches" we call "diff" we use 30 mA and 0.5A as maxima. At 1 diff you can connect a maximum of 4 fuses.
Hub Rijcks
2020-09-23 06:27:57 +0000 UTCIt would be nice if they standardised on one that does all scenarios, but it probably introduces extra complexity in the breaker and enough cost to make them cheap out. Type F is a reasonable compromise, but still not as affordable as type A. It's making progress though. When type A first came out they were expensive.
Big Clive
2020-09-17 13:09:52 +0000 UTCSome people are just crazy tight and will do anything to save pennies. Or maybe they bought a job lot. Was the cutout also 60A? Type A RCDs seem affordable enough but not Type B.
Mike Page
2020-09-15 23:28:11 +0000 UTCI believe the split phase feed to a US distribution panel does allow relatively easy access to 240V, you just need to pick the opposite phases of the 120V supply. https://youtu.be/jMmUoZh3Hq4
AlfaGuy
2020-09-15 17:29:13 +0000 UTCWith modest houses needing multiple 100A sub panels... also remember USA goes cheap with 15A standard unless youβre wiring for electric dryer. Anyone with βunlimitedβ instant hot water heater needs a dedicated 240V. This also excludes those who set it up to backfeed with a generator... 4 kW solar is nothing when youβre going series at 120V for 30A or more
Cerity
2020-09-15 06:59:09 +0000 UTCYou try to split the loads equally.
2020-09-15 06:20:51 +0000 UTCIt's amazing how many parts they can stuff inside a breaker.
2020-09-15 06:19:45 +0000 UTCHow do you calculate diversity for 2 showers and 2 ovens on the same side of a flexi board π I presume the other half of the board was all the rest of lighting circuits, that's a sensible approach π€
The Tinkering Shed
2020-09-15 05:21:17 +0000 UTCOne of the huge advantages of our 32A 240V ring circuits is that many large appliances like washing machines and dryers can just plug into any socket.
Big Clive
2020-09-15 03:02:19 +0000 UTCalways amazes me how few breakers you have in a standard panel. current US electrical code requires a crazy number of breakers, a standard kitchen needs about 10-12, every fixed appliance needs its own breaker and cant be shared with anything else
BiggieJohn
2020-09-14 23:13:36 +0000 UTCGood stuff! I'm really surprised that it didn't show more wear on the contacts.
Michael Thompson
2020-09-14 22:36:10 +0000 UTCDare I say that they have lower ratings so that they can sell more from people upgrading?
Simon Howroyd
2020-09-14 22:27:25 +0000 UTC
