Thanks, What test equipment do you recommend for testing circuit breaker? -
San


"scada" wrote in message
et...

"Jajal" wrote in message
. ..
Hi Everyone,

I dont know if my experiment is proper way to test circuit breaker, I
appreciate your suggestions and/or comments.

I have a Relocatable Power Tap that only has power on/off switch with
built-in 125VAC 15Amp circuit breaker. Since the circuit breaker is
rated
for 15 amp, I connected two heatgun with total ampere rating of 20 amp
and
turned the heat gun on to heat to draw maximum current. The circuit
breaker
did not tripped even though the draw current was more than 15 amp. Why?

Then I added a third heat gun rated at 12 amp. Now I have total of 32
amps
of current draw, the circuit breaker finally tripped after few minutes.
One
interesting thing I learned was the amount of time circuit breaker
triped
vary among different power tap or surge protector. Some has quick
respond
and some are little slow to overload current.

Is there a proper way to test circuit breaker?

Please advise.

Thanks,
San



The circuit breaker is designed to trip under a fault condition at 15Amps.
That type of trip is an instantaneous rise in current. An overload (such
as
you created) will maintain that current for a pre determined time,
depending
upon the design of the breaker may be minutes! The fact that the breaker
did
trip shows that it is working. You are doing a dangerous experiment here!
You put a 32 amp load into the strip, but what was the house breaker rated
at? You are overloading your house wiring, possibly causing problems to
it!
Not to mention the current stress put on the power strips wiring! That
current is dissipated in the form of heat, putting undue strain on the
wiring, receptacles, breaker, etc... Generally speaking, if the breaker
holds in the closed position, it will most likely trip when needed. You
don't have the equipment to test it as it should be tested.