Ring main circuit in Hairdressers keeps tripipng

[neuromancery2k]

Hi Guys,

my partner has just taken over the running of a hairdressers and she is complaining that the 32amp MCB keeps tripping when a number of heaters and hairdryers are being used. The ring main is 2.5 T+E

The shop she has taken over is fed by a supply taken from a sunbed shop next door and the CU in the shop is fed from a 50am MCB which also trips. Any adivce on how I can fix this problem would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tony

 

[acat]

Not really my area but I would think its to much demand on mcb are they the standard type that you would normally get in a domestic property or do they have a time delay built in to cope with the surge in power when the appliances are turned on.


Hope that helps



Chris

 

[Des 56]

The "problem " seems to be too much load for the Mcbs to deal with. there may be no "quick fix" other than reducing the load

Zs permitting type c mcbs may help with surge problems,but it seems that with the 50 amp also going out loading issues are severe

You will have to ascertain the maximum demand of your shop and check the suitability of the sub main and the supply to upgrade the supply mcb and/ or the sub main cable
The ring main in the shop will probably be inadequate for the load you are using and extra circuit/s may be required

You may have a little installation work on your hands !

 

[acat]

Thanks Des I thought I was on the right track you helped me learn a little.



Chris

 

[Exploder]

Try a motor rated mcb as surges from hairdryers and such would have a large start up current.

Hi Guys,

my partner has just taken over the running of a hairdressers and she is complaining that the 32amp MCB keeps tripping when a number of heaters and hairdryers are being used. The ring main is 2.5 T+E

The shop she has taken over is fed by a supply taken from a sunbed shop next door and the CU in the shop is fed from a 50am MCB which also trips. Any adivce on how I can fix this problem would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tony

 

[Guest123]

Sounds like it's definately overloading. The supply seems to be undersized aswell, check sub-main cable size and inst methods, maybe the 50A could be upgraded???

 

[jmsparks]

The surge from the sunbeds can cause a tripping. Have seen before when they blow lights on other circuits.

Check breaker types and sizes.

And maximum load of your shop

 

[gaulty]

I'd check what she's got turned on when it trips. is if a faulty hairdryer etc or is it overloading. If its overloading Personally I'd upgrade the 50 amp I'd also check cable size feeding your board, along with maybe putting in an extra ring to help cope with the overloading or have each heater on a radial etc.

 

[Dimebag213]

Are the sockets backed up by a 30ma RCD?How old is the wiring approx? It may be worth checking appliances for earth leakage via a PAT test. If it isnt backed up with an RCD and failing one of the appliances being faulty i would recommend as others have calcing out the current demand in the shop and go from there.I would also carry out some dead teating to establish it is a complete ring circuit and there are no nasty loose connections lurking anywhere(and the cable is in fact 2.5 mill and has no interconnections, ie ring within a ring or a pile of spurs off one of the ring final sockets.
Perhaps making to smaller ring final circuits throughout the shop may solve the problem
Hope that helps

 

[neuromancery2k]

Thanks all for the advice I'll investigate the problem a little more but the MCB's seem to be standard domestics MCB's

 

[Jason Smith]

Had identical problem recently. A calculator told me all should of been well, though close to the limit, I have always found the hardest faults to solve had the most simplist answers, the very worst being when Mr Fluke 1652b wont tell you the answer. I switched on every hairdryer and hand held in the shop, and watched it all work well for ages. No trip. There was no rhyme or reason to the MCBS going out. Phone calls to manufactures for start up currents even didnt add up to a trip on the calculator.
I sat for about two hours in the Salon just watching (dont they talk poo in hairdressers ) ANSWER someone had a well curly mop of hair. Miss ex was shaking that hand held hairdryer so much, that it must of caused tempoary contact inside, and out it all went. Test the hair dryer, no problem. Plug it in and vigoursley shake it, out it all went !!!.
May be your answer if there is no pattern to your tripping. I have always found that the most time consuming and head ache faults have always without fail had the most simple causes, and been the most difficult to find.If I could buy a new tool, it would be hindsight.
Worst was at christmas, whole house ring main going out, there was some dodgy insulation resistance, but within limits. Split the ring etc, and got it downto the last three sockets. In very last socket of 14, found suspicious looking 1 mil wire bogged into back of it, this ( unfused ) led diagonally across the wall to the pull cord wall lights. A small piece of tinsel had been lovingly wound around the bayonet light fitting and metal casing of the wall light.

 

[neuromancery2k]

haha I'll certainly look into that this week then

 

[TF and the wire]

Can you provide details on the normal loading on the premises, ie wattage and quantity of hairdriers, sunbeds any other appliances including kettles for brewing up.

 

[sw1tchmaster]

Before jumping to any conclusions, it's probably worth current clamping the circuit in question.

 

[gaffer]

Or as Jason said look for any stray pieces of tinsel..........lol.Anyway how are you getting on?