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Pump tripping fuse

  • 04-09-2014 9:24am
    #1
    17larsson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 470 ✭✭


    A pump is plugged into a socket and the 13amp fuse in the plug-top trips every few days. What would the most common problem be?


Comments

  • #2
    brightspark
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,637 ✭✭✭brightspark


    Damaged cable? Possibly shorting to earth somewhere.

    Pump overloading? What is it pumping?


  • #3
    Paul_Mc1988
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 748 ✭✭✭Paul_Mc1988


    brightspark wrote: »
    Damaged cable? Possibly shorting to earth somewhere.

    Pump overloading? What is it pumping?

    As brightspark has said their are numerous possibility's for this to happen and in my opinion it would be best to get a registered electrical contractor to assess the problem. In the mean time i would unplug the pump as a safety measure


  • #4
    Antenna
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,359 ✭✭✭Antenna


    brightspark wrote: »
    Possibly shorting to earth somewhere.

    if that were the case the RCD would trip (if there is one)

    If there is an RCD and that's unaffected, its either overload or Live-Neutral (not to earth) short.

    maybe current when pump starts is just too much for 13Amp (what size of pump?)


    BTW the title is a bit confusing, people usualy say a fuse blows rather than trips :)


  • #5
    brightspark
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,637 ✭✭✭brightspark


    Antenna wrote: »
    if that were the case the RCD would trip (if there is one)

    If there is an RCD and that's unaffected, its either overload or Live-Neutral (not to earth) short.

    maybe current when pump starts is just too much for 13Amp (what size of pump?)


    BTW the title is a bit confusing, people usualy say a fuse blows rather than trips :)

    Big IF regarding the RCD being present and working!

    Anyway the OP hasn't been on since.

    I only really suggested the cable as it is probably the only thing the OP can check visually, the only other "easy" fix might be a missing intake filter (not as likely as a damaged cable though) causing the pump to be stalled with material on start ups.

    IF a pressure switch is on the outfeed of the pump, perhaps it doesn't cut out overloading the pump, but the OP didn't tell us the pump application so it's just more speculation.

    Pump overloading due to bearing failure etc is the most likely though I wouldn't suggest changing the pump until proper testing is carried out.


  • #6
    17larsson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 470 ✭✭17larsson


    Cheers for the replies. The pump is for a well. It's a 10amp load but it was just plugged in to a socket. The pump has needed to be run more than normal these last few weeks probably putting the 13amp plug top fuse under pressure. I'm going to put an isolator in instead and change the mcb to a c16


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  • #7
    brightspark
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,637 ✭✭✭brightspark


    17larsson wrote: »
    Cheers for the replies. The pump is for a well. It's a 10amp load but it was just plugged in to a socket. The pump has needed to be run more than normal these last few weeks probably putting the 13amp plug top fuse under pressure. I'm going to put an isolator in instead and change the mcb to a c16

    If you are doing that you should be putting in an appropriate motor overload and set it to the full load current.

    A 13A fuse would be able to supply a 10A load indefinitely, running for a few extra hours wouldn't be the cause of the tripping.

    As it's a water pump I would expect there to be a pressure switch to cut off the pump, is it operating correctly?


  • #8
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,641 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    17larsson wrote: »
    Cheers for the replies. The pump is for a well. It's a 10amp load but it was just plugged in to a socket. The pump has needed to be run more than normal these last few weeks probably putting the 13amp plug top fuse under pressure. I'm going to put an isolator in instead and change the mcb to a c16

    If I were doing this I would measure the current drawn with a grip on ammeter.
    As per Brightspark's suggestion I would then install overloads set at this full load current. This will protect the cable from sustained overload.

    Then I would provide short circuit protection with at least a 20A C type MCB (assuming the cable is at least a 2.5). Why so large? To prevent the starting current tripping the MCB.


  • #9
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    2011 wrote: »
    If I were doing this I would measure the current drawn with a grip on ammeter.
    As per Brightspark's suggestion I would then install overloads set at this full load current. This will protect the cable from sustained overload.

    Then I would provide short circuit protection with at least a 20A C type MCB (assuming the cable is at least a 2.5). Why so large? To prevent the starting current tripping the MCB.

    The overload would be for actual motor protection, and the mcb for cable overload and short circuit protection I would suggest.

    Just to reduce possible confusion, unless its myself who is confused.


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