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[email protected] gfretwell@aol.com is offline
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Default central vac breakers

On Sat, 11 Nov 2017 15:15:46 -0500, Clare Snyder
wrote:

We have a Canavac XLS970 central vac unit ( replacing our original
Beam) with an 8.4 inch dual stage Ametec-Lamb motor rated at 13.4amps.
It is running on about 50 frrt of AWG14 Romex on a 15 amp breaker.
Sporadically, on initial startup, it will pop the breaker (Square D
QO15). Upon further investigation, reading Square D's information, I
found they make a "high magnetic" 15 amp breaker for "high performance
loads" like AC, CwntralVac, and microwave applications with a high
"pull-in" current.

Nobody in Ontario has the darn things in stock - Rona did, but since
being taken over by Lowes, they no longer even have them available.

I could wait 'till next week and have the electrical supply order me
one in - but I wanted to fix it NOW --

Turns out the 240 volt (double polet) 15 amp QO breakers are ALL High
Magnetic - and I had a spare one, and a spare slot in my panel - so
I've replaced the single pole with the double pole - we will see what
happens,

Just thought you guys might be interested in knowing the little
tid-bit about the "high magnetic" breaker fix for intermittent
nuisance tripping


I can't speak to the CEC but the US NEC would have that on at least a
20a breaker. If this is the only load, you can keep the 14ga wire.
I can give the NEC code cites if you want and you can cross reference
then to the CEC.
Essentially motor loads are not the same as general lighting circuits
where the 14ga = 15a breaker rule comes from.
Under some circumstances you could even go up to a 40a breaker on 14ga
wire on a pure motor load. (that is usually a question on the
inspector test)