ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 260 guests, and 20 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#138396 09/06/03 01:00 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Trumpy Offline OP
Member
Guys,
I was doing a job on Thursday afternoon and I was fitting-off a new Submain and switchboard that I had pre-wired some months ago.
I came to liven and test the installation and found that one of the RCD's that I had installed (Hager DIN Rail mount 16A type) wouldn't trip at all when I went to test it with the RCD tester.
I double-checked my wiring and all seemed to be correct, I even swapped the RCD with the one next to it and it tripped on the same wiring.
I then took it back to the wholesaler and got another one connected it up and the same thing, no trip, this really had me scratching my head by now!.
So, back I trotted to the wholesaler and got another one, hooked it up and the same again, although it did trip at 5Amps!.
Long story short, the next one I got DID trip.
But it sort of makes you wonder about the Quality Control at the Hager factory, especially with a device like an RCD, which people depend on for shock protection.
Imagine if I had not bothered to test the darn thing?.
Hope I never have a run of faulty gear like that again, if I was angry, my customer was absolutely livid, as this was not a quoted job!.

#138397 09/06/03 01:14 AM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 52
D
Member
Trumpy, we had a spate of imitation Hager RCD's at one stage. That hasn't happened there has it? http://www.trenchlaw.com/w_article/article_vew.asp?articleid=331

#138398 09/06/03 02:44 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Trumpy Offline OP
Member
Graham,
Thanks for that link, mate. [Linked Image]
Yeah, it seems like this may be the case that these could be Counterfieted Devices.
I have used Hager gear for ages and I've NEVER had any problems with it before, If I have, it's usually been my fault!. [Linked Image]
I would hate to point the finger (as I did above) at a company that has little control over Parallel Imported equipment that bears thier name.
My apologies to Hager!!. [Linked Image]

#138399 09/07/03 05:54 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 112
P
Member
Thing is Trumpy where did you buy the RCDs from,, a proper wholesaler??

if thats the case where did they get them from??

Think i mentioned this before but when we all fit MCBs we have no way of testing these,

#138400 09/07/03 05:56 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 112
P
Member
Oh and can some one tell me the calculation to convert KVa to AMPs..

Many thanks

#138401 09/07/03 06:15 AM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,498
T
Member
As far as I'm aware of VA is VoltxAmpere, KVA is 1000VA, so it should be KVA/1000/Volt.

#138402 09/07/03 08:22 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
P
Member
You're working backwards Tex! [Linked Image]

Amps = kVA x 1000 / Volts.

Notwithstanding counterfeit items, I've never been particularly impressed by Hager switchgear, at least not the typical devices used in residential and light commercial work.

I much prefer to go with a brand such as Wylex (do you have them in Aus/NZ?).

#138403 09/07/03 01:24 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,498
T
Member
Oops, you're right Paul. Seems I was converting it to MVA instead... Looks like I should think twice before posting any formulae again...

#138404 09/07/03 04:03 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 112
P
Member
Thanx for that but, this next question might sound stupid..

would the volts always be 230 or 415??

I am guessing it would be 230V

Oh no Paul wylex used to be good stuff but not any more.. i like Square D but no one sells it around here,, so we use Hager,, Klockner Moeuller?? (spelt right?)Crabtree.Merlin Gerin for the big stuff...

#138405 09/08/03 10:11 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
P
Member
I admit that Wylex isn't like it used to be, but I still prefer it to some other brands.

I'm still rather partial to the Crabtree C50 range for commercial work. Good solid engineering.

Quote
would the volts always be 230 or 415??

I am guessing it would be 230V
The voltage has to relate to the actual voltage on the primary or secondary of the transformer, so it depends upon the particular application.

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5