Help resetting a schneider 3phase circuit breaker

[gtmoto]

Hello,
just wondering if the start button should stay in without the power on or is it a faulty unit?
regards ash

 

[telectrix]

is that australian?

 

[DNS1]

Not sure installing an RCD on denim is a good idea...

 

[telectrix]

and that's not a circuit breaker, it's a contactor with overload. start buttons don't stay in. they press to start and spring release.

 

[Darkwood]

Sorry to say Tel and rarely i correct you but this isn't a contactor its a thermal magnetic circuit breaker used for motor protection, it has no coil so is not a contactor as we would know, yes i know you know what it is its you just worded it poorly.

@ The OP - this is usually incorporated with a larger control system and usually provides the O/L protection upstream of the motor contactor, i don't believe power failure will trip the device when off load although say 1ph was lost while load attached where as its internal monitoring will trip the unit.

So pushing the start in without supply should stay in until stop button is pressed ..... is this your finding, and why do you ask?

 

[telectrix]

i stand corrected. never come across these before.

 

[Brightspark2]

Sorry to sat Tel and rarely i correct you but this isn't a contactor its a thermal magnetic circuit breaker used for motor protection, it has no coil so is not a contactor as we would know, yes i know you know what it is its you just worded it poorly.

Correct

And I'm pretty sure the start button does stay in, it releases when you press the stop button.

 

[Darkwood]

i stand corrected. never come across these before.

In principle they are exactly the same as the overloads you plug on the outgoing sides of contactors but just in a different format and have certain benefits within a control system, they also can be mounted in IP rated enclosures where just the start/stop are accessible and can be used to start and stop motors but only in situe's where power failure and motor starting without warning are not a safety concern ....

 

[gtmoto]

Thanks for your help, I was right. Yes! Well it wouldn't stay in on the start position so I replaced it immediately seems strange that It has gone faulty though, is it repairable? Don't fancy getting another spare at £160 a pop!

 

[Darkwood]

If the new one is ok and holds then yes old one faulty but its rare for them to fault so not worth worrying about, how old was the last unit and was it exposed to contaminants if under 5yrs old then contact Scheider they may replace it under the 1979 consumer rights act although over this 4-5yrs marker you may struggle.

 

[gtmoto]

It's probably older than 5 years, for a extractor fan in a spray booth, thanks for your help

 

[Brightspark2]

Just noticed your denim crotch in the background ha ha

 

[ipf]

Just noticed your denim crotch in the background ha ha

Bit of a balancing act taking that photo lying on your back ?

Or is it a bit of modelling

 

[JD6400]

If the new one is ok and holds then yes old one faulty but its rare for them to fault so not worth worrying about, how old was the last unit and was it exposed to contaminants if under 5yrs old then contact Scheider they may replace it under the 1979 consumer rights act although over this 4-5yrs marker you may struggle.

Hi Darkwood , you mention the 1979 act . How would it help on equipment under 5 years old ? I am not saying it will not , just was keen to know as we are having a worryingly increasing problem with 6ft twin anti corrosive fittings that have been fitted from 12 - 24 months ago that are failing at an alarming rate !:sick:

 

[Marvo]

We refer to these things as manual motor starters. Electrically speaking they're basically a circuit breaker with thermal and magnetic overload mechanisms. Usually the entire front cover just pulls off so you can see the internal mechanisms and check for damage or debris that might be causing a problem. As Mr Darkwood said they're very reliable generally, other than external influences such as flood damage or general debris the most common cause of failure would be short circuit or similar high fault current conditions.

The unit in your photo is fairly large as this type of starter goes, at 70Amp FLC you'd be talking about a 50HP ish motor (40kW ish). This would be a very large spray booth fan....and I really mean very large. Maybe the kind of spray booth that would accommodate commercial aircraft for example?