Tripping breaker [RE-wrenches]

Fri May 4 10:32:05 PDT 2007

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Darryl:

Although the manual never states this as a fact, my understanding is that 
the internal device is a switch without any overcurrent protection 
capabilities based on the following evidence:

1. The block diagram in the manual uses the symbol for a switch, not that 
for a circuit breaker.
2. The specs indicate a required external over current protection and lastly,
3. The internal switch has no amperage indication.

All of the tells me the internal device is not a circuit breaker.

William

At 04:52 AM 5/4/2007, you wrote:

>Thanks William
>But does not the "breaker in the unit protect the
>inverter?  I am not familiar with this unit.  Indeed
>is the disconnect in the unit a breaker (OC device) or
>a switch?
>
>As to external to inverter disconnects, I sure do like
>them for service.
>
>Darryl
>
>--- William Miller <wrmiller at charter.net> wrote:
>
> >
> > 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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> >
>
>
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