Transformer Problem

[Aaron-Lee]

Hi all, a famliy member has just bought a pressure washer for their car garage, the washer is 110v, needs 30A and 2.2kW. The transormer that has been bought to go with the washer is 240v - 110V with a 32A output but it keeps popping the fuse. Obviously there is too much current being drawn, does the transformer need to have its own dedicated supply ran in instead of a plug top (which is on the tranny?) I assume that the transformer is drawing more than 13A and that is why we have the problem, any ideas how to get around this?
I am an apprentice and interested in how to get around this so any explanation would be appreciated!
Cheers Aaron

 

[Darkwood]

Your washer is 2200watts and supply 110 therefore 2200/110 =20amps, but because you are transforming it from 230 it is only drawing about 10amps from the plug top, do you have a clamp meter and i assume you mean its blowing the plug top 13amp fuse.
It could be down to a cheap or old plug top try replacing it as the fuse clamps maybe loose in it.

 

[Aaron-Lee]

Thanks will try changing the plug top/fuse again. Didnt even think about ohms law myself just saw the rating on the washer as 30A?! Will also see if I can borrow a clamp meter but cant get supply to stay on to test?! The washer is also an eco friendly jobby so not sure if the start up current might be 30A and thats what is causing it?
cheers Aaron

**Just found out the washer is 2.7kW so 2700/110 = 24.54A half of which = 12.27A?

 

[Darkwood]

i assume its american or similar the plug tops available maybe 15amp then 30amp so running at 20amp washer would require the larger 30amp to cover this, ps even a small over current wouldnt blow the fuse immediatly check transformer with insulation test to earth also does it hold until you run the pressure washer or blow as soon as you connect power?

 

[Aaron-Lee]

It blows once the washer has been turned on, i am sure the plug is 32 amp plug as the transormer also has 16A outlet with smaller socket?

 

[Darkwood]

It blows once the washer has been turned on, i am sure the plug is 32 amp plug as the transormer also has 16A outlet with smaller socket?

Plug top is right 32amp but i suspect you may have either an inrush problem blowing the fuse or a fault on your pressure washer try wiring it to dedicated circuit 20amp type c mcb to allow for inrush current of motor this may cure your problem and fit a 16amp 240v blue commando style plug and socket to feed tranformer.
Do the circuit above only after rigging it up temp to dist board to try it out save you wasting time and money.

 

[ian.settle1]

Can also be the inrush of current into the transformer when you start up the washer.

 

[Darkwood]

Can also be the inrush of current into the transformer when you start up the washer.

just queried that point he says only when hes starts it up so did assume power to it was already on through transformer when he hit the on button/switch but your right in that these cause nuisance tripping of type b mcb's through inrush

 

[ian.settle1]

just queried that point he says only when hes starts it up so did assume power to it was already on through transformer when he hit the on button/switch but your right in that these cause nuisance tripping of type b mcb's through inrush

Whilst he may have power to the input side of the transformer there is no load on the output side until he switches on the washer, thus when he switches on the washer the will be a surge of power for the starting up of the washer which the plug top fuse cannot handle.