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Electrical fuseboard

  • 05-03-2014 02:07AM
    #1
    Mikeyshragh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 92 ✭✭


    Hi

    I'm having a lot of trouble with my fuse board at work. A few Mcbs keep tripping. The are bam barbie lights. It only happens when they turn then on first. But when the push up the mcb the lights stay on. They lights are 500w each and there is about 7 of them. So it's 3500watts alltogether. They are on a 32A breaker. They are also on a isolator. So the usually turn off the lights by the isolator and on by the light switches. What would cause this?


Comments

  • #2
    maxfresh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 688 ✭✭✭maxfresh


    changing the mcb to a "c type" will allow for the high starting current that these lights have


  • #3
    Sir Arthur Daley
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,720 ✭✭✭Sir Arthur Daley


    Does any other equipment not work if that 32amp mcb is down?


  • #4
    Cogsy88
    Closed Accounts Posts: 457 ✭✭Cogsy88


    Sorry if I sound stupid but What are bam barbie lights? Are they incandescent? You said a few are tripping. What other ones r tripping?


  • #5
    Sir Arthur Daley
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,720 ✭✭✭Sir Arthur Daley


    Cogsy88 wrote: »
    Sorry if I sound stupid but What are bam barbie lights?

    Bain Marie lights are used to keep food warm, they are halogen.


  • #6
    Cogsy88
    Closed Accounts Posts: 457 ✭✭Cogsy88


    My guess would be a high inrush current as previous poster mentioned. Which other mcbs are tripping op?


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  • #7
    Mikeyshragh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 92 ✭✭Mikeyshragh


    I was thinking of changing the MCB to type C. But I was thinking it was in a kitchen and with a delay trip like the C rated. Would it dangerous?


  • #8
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,692 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Mikeyshragh wrote: »
    I was thinking of changing the MCB to type C. But I was thinking it was in a kitchen and with a delay trip like the C rated. Would it dangerous?

    A 3.5kW load such as this will draw in the region of 15A.
    As has already been suggested turning on these lights results in an inrush of current that is likely to be the cause of the MCB tripping.

    However if the MCB is to be changed to a C type a lower "Earth Fault Loop Impedance" value will be required than that for a B type MCB to meet the requirements of the ETCI regulations (ET101:2008). This is due to different fusing characteristics of the 2 MCB types.
    Your electrician should be aware of this.


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