dave1888
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| posted on 4/3/09 at 06:41 PM |
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Tripping RCD
I am using a clarke 120te mig and its popping my 16A RCD when used on full power. Should i fit a higher amp rating. I am using the mig in the garage
which is fed by a 4mm armoured cable.
[Edited on 4/3/2009 by dave1888]
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nitram38
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| posted on 4/3/09 at 06:45 PM |
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RCD or MCB?
RCD works on leakage to earth and MCB works on fault current.
Is your welder damp? This can cause an RCD to trip. High starting currents can cause an MCB to trip.
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t16turbotone
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| posted on 4/3/09 at 06:50 PM |
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might be combined unit
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MakeEverything
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| posted on 4/3/09 at 06:53 PM |
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Welders dont generally work on RCD's ive found.
They sense residual current on the earth conductor, and because of the neutral current (short circuit when welding) i think there is some induced
current onto earth which causes it to trip. Replace the RCD for a Type C MCB.
Kindest Regards,
Richard.
...You can make it foolProof, but youll never make it Idiot Proof!...
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JoelP
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| posted on 4/3/09 at 07:48 PM |
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depending on the length of the 4mm cable you might be ok with a 32A breaker on that.
If you were to do it yourself then you might choose to move it off the rcd at the house end, and have a dedicated outlet for the welder in the garage.
Have the rest of the garage sockets on an RCBO (similar to RCD but fits into the same gap as an MCB). Depends a lot on what boards are in where at the
minute.
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dhutch
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| posted on 5/3/09 at 12:16 AM |
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As said, all depends on what exactly you have.
- You cant have a 16amp RCD, so its eather a 16amp MCB after a RDC. Or its a 16amp RCBO (combined RCD and MCB).
If its a combined unit you can never tell whats triping it as such.
- However i would suggest it should be tripping at 16a unless you have a load of other things on in the garage, heater?
I would also agree that if you are making any changes, i would have the garage on a dedicated RCD. Eather by having an RCBO in the house box (before
the house RCD) or if the garage is a way away (how longs this armored cable) a dedictated consumer unit in the garage with its own RCD.
Daniel
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dave1888
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| posted on 5/3/09 at 08:23 PM |
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Ok got it now its a 16A MCB the armoured is about 10m fusebox to fusebox. I think what i'll do is fit a 32A in the house, a new fusebox in the
garage with a 16A and a 6A for the lights.
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Liam
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| posted on 5/3/09 at 09:05 PM |
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Whilst this forum does contain pretty much the sum of all human knowledge, just fyi, I'd suggest the electrical section of DIYnot.com for the
best possible advice on these matters. Not that I can see anything wrong with the advice you've recieved here or your proposed solution 
Liam
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