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circuit-breaker allegedly "getting more sensitive"

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
OK, usual caravan park issues with more pitches than incoming supply, so client has acknowledged this by installing 10 A circuit-breakers for each 16 A outlet. With 24 pitches on a presumed 80 A single-phase cut-out, he has got away with it..... so far, but he doesn't close for winter....


He has a few regulars that complain about the 10 A circuit-breaker being too sensitive so client believes them and has fitted new 10 A circuit-breakers ready for this weekend.


Considering that a 10 A circuit-breaker will run at 11.3 A continuously and 16 A for about 10 minutes, I'm more inclined to think that the "shed puller's" use of the 2 kW built in heater, 2 kW supplementary fan heater, fridge and domestic 3 kW kettle plus entertainment equipment are more likely....


But, has anyone carried out any tests on circuit-breakers to prove/disprove the alleged reduced rating? Or links to any such reports?


Regards


BOD
Parents
  • 0
    breaker thresholds certainly creep when in  warm box pre-heated by neighbouring breakers. Indeed some of the more diligent breaker makers warn you of this.

    I can imagine they might work loose if they are regularly "exercised" by overload. I suspect a lot of caravan users are a bit hazy with the details of exactly what it all consumes.

    It might be quite telling to arrange some sort of din rail ammeter (there are now some very cheap ones out there that have a hole for a meter tail with the current clamp within, and then a couple of small terminals for voltage sense that can do reactive power too.)and perhaps also kWh style metering to show what demand is at dinner time accross site.

    The real long term solution is a beefier supply, ideally 3 phase.

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  • 0
    breaker thresholds certainly creep when in  warm box pre-heated by neighbouring breakers. Indeed some of the more diligent breaker makers warn you of this.

    I can imagine they might work loose if they are regularly "exercised" by overload. I suspect a lot of caravan users are a bit hazy with the details of exactly what it all consumes.

    It might be quite telling to arrange some sort of din rail ammeter (there are now some very cheap ones out there that have a hole for a meter tail with the current clamp within, and then a couple of small terminals for voltage sense that can do reactive power too.)and perhaps also kWh style metering to show what demand is at dinner time accross site.

    The real long term solution is a beefier supply, ideally 3 phase.

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