Patio Heaters Tripping !!!

[Jamesy]

Telectrix I have said about them being on all the time even when there not being used but it's for aesthetic purposes. No weed lol

 

[telectrix]

find the fault, fix it. then put them on a PIR

 

[Jamesy]

What happens if they only use 1 heater?

There are other single heaters independantly fed with their own 20a protected circuit- these are fine.

So i am guessing that the draw of current from two heaters wouldn't be sufficent for a 2.5mm cable -which is used- thare are too many factors depending on this which i beleive impedance, heat, volt drop etc all contribute, being it outdoors and vulnerable to wheather conditions doesnt help either.

I would either need to run a larger csa of conductor or use a seperate way in the CU to put it on it's own 20a circuit- the latter being more economic.

 

[Knobhead]

So i am guessing that the draw of current from two heaters wouldn't be sufficent for a 2.5mm cable -which is used- thare are too many factors depending on this which i beleive impedance, heat, volt drop etc all contribute, being it outdoors and vulnerable to wheather conditions doesnt help either.

What on earth are you talking about?

Stop guessing and hand the job over to someone that knows what they are doing.

 

[Jamesy]

What on earth are you talking about?

Stop guessing and hand the job over to someone that knows what they are doing.

Toe Knee!

I wouldn't hand it to you given your attitude. I am a practising electrician which means I am not afraid to ask for help? I can obviously learn u have not got anything positive to say on this matter so as I said the job is for a friend which means I have more means to help him than u have! And re-read what I Wrote if you have no idea what I am talking about as everybody else is more understanding

 

[Octopus]

So what tests have you done then? Not being difficult but you don't seem to have included many facts in your thread

 

[Jamesy]

None as of yet I can't get my hands on a multifunction meter I know you are trying not to be difficult but i am in a difficult situ which probably means I better purchase one soon. I do know how to test

 

[Jamesy]

I have just passed my 2330 last Thursday btw but as your signatory states experience is the only answer as no concrete advice can be given in theory. Have a good W/E!

 

[Tonkatoy27]

Hi Jamesy, don't take anything to heart that anyone says, after all, nobody knows you or your capabilities and we only have your info or lack of to make assumptions and give advice from.
It should be pretty obvious to you (as you're qualified) that a 32amp type B MCB is the wrong MCB, it should be a 20amp max on a radial 2.5. It should also be fairly obvious that slapping a 32amp type C in won't achieve a thing. untill you do an IR test it's pretty pointless posting up for help or idea's as we're guessing same as you.

If as you say you are a 'practising' electrician but you have no test gear how do you get any jobs done?

When you write a post, read it back to yourself and try to see it from others eyes and you may understand some of the comments.

Good luck.

 

[Octopus]

I have just passed my 2330 last Thursday btw but as your signatory states experience is the only answer as no concrete advice can be given in theory. Have a good W/E!

Try and get your hands on a MFT, do the IR and check the actual guage of the cable and the MCB.

Good luck - fault finding is always a bit hit and miss, but I really enjoy it.

 

[Jamesy]

I can manage a job which requires no test instruments. But I know once I get one my view will change completely lol. I wouldn't de-isolate without being confident. But i might look at getting a MFT on finance if I can find that option but I'll leave that to another thread.

Cheers
James

 

[Knobhead]

I’m sorry but to undertake a job with no test equipment beggar’s belief. This thread has been running for 3 days and you’re no further forward.
What your friend makes of the situation I don’t know but I’ll bet his customers are well brassed off.

I’m sorry but I stand by what I say.

 

[Marvo]

I can manage a job which requires no test instruments.

To work on any circuit that's connected to an electrical supply you must have at least sufficient test equipment to prove isolation. You don't need to be a prima donna and run out to buy the latest and greatest Fluke, check out Maplins for a clamp meter at 15 quid or even an analogue multimeter for under a tenner. Farnell have an analogue insulation tester for about 50 quid or you can pick up on ebay for less than that. You can always check out the Testmeter website to upgrade to something better when you're finances improve, forum members get a discount.

 

[ian.settle1]

I can manage a job which requires no test instruments. But I know once I get one my view will change completely lol. I wouldn't de-isolate without being confident. But i might look at getting a MFT on finance if I can find that option but I'll leave that to another thread.

Cheers
James

And may I ask what type of jobs are these, as Marvo has said to work on any electrical equipment and you need to prove it is dead you need a test lamp & proving unit before you start?

As the one you are asking about definately requires test equipment to find the fault. It does not have to be a MFT seperate instruments will do.

 

[sedgy34]

Can u clamp the live in the mcb before it trips???