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When wiring a generator directly into your circuit box with a 30 amp breaker is 10 gauge wire big enough?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Generators should not be wired directly into your distribution panel. The generator should be wired through an approved transfer switch by a licenced electrician. To do otherwise would be sheer folly and leave yourself vulnerable to a void insurance policy on your dwelling should any mishaps occur because of the project not getting proper approval.
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The biggest danger to direct wiring a generator is that you can have the breaker feeding from the generator on at the same time that the main breaker for your primary service is also on. This feeds the generator power out of your building, to the utility pole, to any lines still connected to that utility service and possibly other customers or buildings. This supplies power to the utility lines when the repair workers may be under the impression they are not live.
On the other hand, if you direct wire a generator without a transfer switch, and fail to turn off your main breaker, when the primary service is restored you now have 2 sources of electrical power on the same lines and I cannot fathom the dangers involved.
But the direct answer to your question is, Yes, 10 gauge wire is sufficient for any 30 amp breaker provided you aren't running several hundred feet.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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What is the difference between Air circuit breaker and Vacuum circuiut breaker?
"Air" and "Vacuum" describe how the breaker extinguishes the arcing current. An Air breaker opens far enough that the dielectric strenght of air is enough to extinguish the arc. A vacuum breaker's contacts are in a vacuum. Oil breakers use oil. SF6 breakers use SF6 gas to extinguish the arc.
Function of a breaker?
The purpose of a circuit breaker is to open the circuit in the event of an overload. Wires/conductors are only rated for a specific Amperage. If this amperage is exceeded the conductor/wire begins to heat up and given enough time it becomes a fire hazard. For instance a 15 amp breaker will trip once the Amps drawn through that circuit exceed 15 amps. The short answer is to keep you safe.
An alternator could be severely damaged mechanically in attempting to sychronize it with the power line under what two conditions could this happen?
I'm not sure this qualifies as two different conditions, they are both similar.If the generator is more than a few degrees out of phase.If the generator phase angle is leading at the exact moment it closes to the bus.Explanation for #2: When manually syncing a generator, it is quite difficult to close the breaker at exactly 0 degrees, which is, of course, the desired outcome. If you close the breaker with the generator lagging a few degrees, the bus voltage (utility or other generator) will attempt to speed up the generator as if it were starting a motor.No harm done if the phase difference is just a few degrees. If, on the other hand, you close the breaker while the generator is leading, the bus voltage attempts to 'yank' the generator back to where it belongs, like a brake. If the phase difference is great enough, this can shear driveplates and even break crankshafts!The operator, then, shoots for zero to a couple degrees lagging when the breaker closes.
Does the code permit the ampacity of switch legs to be less than the ampere rating of the branch circuit?
No, and here's why: the rating of the branch, determined by the overcurrent protection, is designed for the ampacity of the branch conductors so that they breaker trips before the conductors heat up enough to start a fire. If you put in smaller wires on the same branch, they will get MUCH hotter before the circuit breaker trips, if it ever does. For example, a 20A branch, protecting 12AWG wiring; add some 14 AWG rated for 15A. Something faults the switched leg at 18A; enough to burn out the wiring but not enough to trip the breaker. House burns down, insurance doesn't pay because of "faulty wiring" installed negligently by a person without proper training and credentials.
How potential relay works in refrigeration?
A potential relay operates on the voltage potential created by the induced voltage in the starting winding of the motor. It is an electromagnetic switch whose coil is wired directly in to the motor circuit. When power is applied to the circuit, the motor starts . As the motor attains its running speed the start winding acts as an auto generator and the voltage potential produced energizes the relay coil which cuts out the start capacitor and the start winding . The start winding still acts as an auto generator , however , and continues to produce enough power to keep the relay energized.
How does a circuit breaker use an electromagnet?
A circuit breaker uses an electromagnet to detect overcurrent in a circuit. When there is an overcurrent, the electromagnet creates a magnetic field that pulls down a mechanical switch, opening the circuit and stopping the flow of electricity. This helps prevent damage to the circuit and protects against fires or electrical hazards.
What is the difference between Air circuit breaker and Vacuum circuiut breaker?
"Air" and "Vacuum" describe how the breaker extinguishes the arcing current. An Air breaker opens far enough that the dielectric strenght of air is enough to extinguish the arc. A vacuum breaker's contacts are in a vacuum. Oil breakers use oil. SF6 breakers use SF6 gas to extinguish the arc.
What will be the effect if the d.c motor is directly connected across the supply without starter?
At zero rpm a dc motor draws a current that could be enough to blow the circuit breaker. In that case it is normal to place a resistor in series to limit the current to slightly below the circuit-breaker setting. The resistor is switched out after the motor runs up.
A small appliance circuit will be protected by a circuit breaker rated at?
A small appliance circuit will be protected by a circuit breaker rated at 15 or 20 amps. This is to ensure that the circuit can safely handle the electrical load of the small appliances without overloading.
What is the Function of circuit breaker?
The purpose of a circuit breaker is to open the circuit in the event of an overload. Wires/conductors are only rated for a specific Amperage. If this amperage is exceeded the conductor/wire begins to heat up and given enough time it becomes a fire hazard. For instance a 15 amp breaker will trip once the Amps drawn through that circuit exceed 15 amps. The short answer is to keep you safe.
Would a 15 kva 380 volt generator be big enough to run a house with a 60 amp breaker 380 volts?
A 15 KVA - Generator operating at 380 Volts can cater to only 22.79 Amps. It cannot cater to a 60 Amps breaker
What is a function of a circuit breaker?
The purpose of a circuit breaker is to open the circuit in the event of an overload. Wires/conductors are only rated for a specific Amperage. If this amperage is exceeded the conductor/wire begins to heat up and given enough time it becomes a fire hazard. For instance a 15 amp breaker will trip once the Amps drawn through that circuit exceed 15 amps. The short answer is to keep you safe.
How does a circuit breaker operate?
A circuit breaker operates by detecting an electrical overload or short circuit in a circuit. When this occurs, the circuit breaker automatically disconnects the circuit to prevent damage to the electrical system and minimize the risk of fire. Once the issue is resolved, the circuit breaker can be reset to restore power to the circuit.
Function of a breaker?
The purpose of a circuit breaker is to open the circuit in the event of an overload. Wires/conductors are only rated for a specific Amperage. If this amperage is exceeded the conductor/wire begins to heat up and given enough time it becomes a fire hazard. For instance a 15 amp breaker will trip once the Amps drawn through that circuit exceed 15 amps. The short answer is to keep you safe.
Why does a new AC in a new house throw the outside circuit breaker once a week?
If the breaker only trips once a week you may have a bad breaker or the breaker may not be large enough for your A/C unit. You should also have an electrician look for any loose connections from the unit to the breaker panel. (It is not uncommon to have a bad breaker)
What is the function of the breaker?
The purpose of a circuit breaker is to open the circuit in the event of an overload. Wires/conductors are only rated for a specific Amperage. If this amperage is exceeded the conductor/wire begins to heat up and given enough time it becomes a fire hazard. For instance a 15 amp breaker will trip once the Amps drawn through that circuit exceed 15 amps. The short answer is to keep you safe.
You lost a voltage leg by connecting the ground wire to the circuit breaker but com ed wires are still energized?
Yes this could be true. The breaker to the load will have tripped. The main breaker should still be allowing voltage to the distribution panel because it did not trip. If the main breaker tripped then the distribution panel must have been close to maximum amperage and the shorting of the branch circuit was enough to trip the mains.
