Tripping breaker [RE-wrenches]

[William Miller]

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Darryl:

Using a 40 amp breaker, regardless of wire size, violates the UL listing of 
the inverter.  The inverter data sheet states:

         "Maximum AC over current protection Two-pole, 15 / 20 A circuit 
breaker"

I know this-- I've been caught with the wrong breaker size.

You could, however, install a 40 amp feeder to the inverter as long as your 
15 or 20A breaker is in line before the inverter.  Unless you have lock-out 
capabilities at the breaker panel, an AC disconnecting means within line of 
sight of the inverter is advisable anyway (and same with the DC feeder).

William Miller


At 07:07 AM 5/3/2007, you wrote:

>Hi Andrew
>it sounds like overheat.  It is commom to have
>breakers trip when next to other warm breakers or a
>very warm panel.  Breakers are themal devices, they
>trip because of heat or surge and a magnetic coil.
>They are all thermal-magnetic.
>
>One idea is to place your breaker at the lowest
>position in the cabnet.  Another is the change wire
>and go with a 40 amp breaker.  The breaker trips
>because of the combination of internal generated heat
>and cabinet heat.
>Darryl
>--- Andrew Truitt <atruitt at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> > Wrenches,
> >
> > We are having issues with a backfeed breaker from a
> > Fronious IG 3000
> > tripping.  Here is the situation from what I have
> > been told:
> >
> > - The 200A main panel is loaded with about 500A of
> > breakers per pole
> > (many tandems).
> > - The initial 25A backfeed breaker was replaced with
> > a 30A and moved
> > further from the main breaker on the busbar with no
> > effect.  The
> > breaker is still only 1/2 way down the busbar,
> > though.
> > - The breaker trips about twice a month, generally
> > on sunny days.
> > - Fronious has examined the info from the data
> > logger and can see
> > nothing wrong with the inverter.  Even more telling:
> > the 16A AC
> > breaker in the Fronious hasn't tripped once.
> > - None of the other breakers in the panel are
> > tripping.
> > - The run from the inverter to the main panel is 15'
> > of #6 UF that
> > runs behind a 900 lb refrigerator that has not been
> > moved but the rest
> > of the run has been visually inspected and appears
> > fine.
> >
> > First off, I know that this is a jacked up inter-tie
> > - it was done by
> > an independent electrician a year ago who I would
> > not ever let touch
> > one of my systems on penalty of toenail removal
> > Wierd-Al-Yankovic
> > style.
> >
> > My guess - there is a ground fault in the UF behind
> > the fridge that is
> > so slight that it only occurs at max current.   But
> > wouldn't that trip
> > the Fronious breaker?  If an overheated busbar were
> > the culprit then
> > ours would not be the only breaker tripping,
> > especially not after
> > changing it and moving it.  If replacing the wire
> > doesn't do it then I
> > am inclined to try a supply-side tap but I'm just
> > not convinced that
> > it will help unless there is something about the
> > fact that the breaker
> > is backfeeding that makes it more prone to trip than
> > the load
> > breakers.
> >
> > Any other ideas?
> >
> > I am going down to take a look for myself later this
> > week with some
> > 10-2 MC-lite and bible.
> >
> >
> > Andrew Truitt
> > Standard Solar Inc.


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