Owner`s manual

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS - HOUSE — 8
160
2008 LAPALMA XL
Circuit Breaker
The internal conguration of the circuit
breaker is designed to trip when excess current
causes the breaker to heat up. The trip action of
the circuit breaker can occur within milliseconds
due to the speed at which electricity can travel.
Breakers are designed to operate at a continuous
load of 80% of the breaker’s rated capacity.
For example: A breaker with a 20 Amp
rating will operate a continuous 16 Amp load.
This design leaves a small amount of working
capacity within the breaker. When an inductive
load is applied, such as when an electric motor
turns on, the motor starts to spin and current
consumption may momentarily exceed the
rated capacity of the breaker. As the electric
motor comes up to operating speed, the electric
motor’s current consumption will decrease.
The AC current load then falls back into the
breaker’s rated 80% set point. This electric
principle should be kept in mind when using
anything other than 50 Amp shore service and
using appliances with electric motors, such as air
conditioners. When using outlets, care should be
considered when applying loads such as electric
motors, heaters, coffee makers, toasters, hair
dryers or other large current consuming loads.
The current rating is usually stated on most
electrical items. The current rating will either be
rated in amps or watts. Current ratings stated on
electrical items will change slightly with voltage
uctuations. As voltage increases, current
consumption decreases. As voltage decreases,
current consumption increases. This may
explain why in some instances items operated
at borderline voltage to current tolerances may
seem ne in one location but problematic in
another.
NOTE:
To calculate watts to amps simply divide
the watt figure by the voltage of which
the item operates. For example: The
electrical item is rated at 1370 watts.
Divide that by the operating voltage of
115 Volts AC which equals 11.913 Amps.
Use this formula to calculate the amount
of load and compare to the available
power supply.
GFCI Breakers & Outlets
A ground fault circuit
interrupter (GFCI) can be
found in two different types
of applications. One type is
incorporated in a breaker used
in 120 Volt AC breaker panels,
the other is incorporated in an
outlet. The GFCI, whether it is
a breaker or an outlet, offer two
types of protection. One type of
protection is from over-current
or shorts. It also provides
protection for persons against hazardous ground
fault currents which can result in injury or death.
Ground fault currents are currents that ow from
the “HOT” or power terminal through a person
to the ground. For example, touching a faulty
appliance while standing on or making contact
with an electrical ground such as a water xture,
bath tub or the earth.
The GFCI offers protection against the type of
shock that can result from faulty insulation, wet
wiring from inside an appliance, or any device
or equipment plugged in or wired to that circuit.
The ground fault portion of the outlet or breaker
uses sensitive electronics inside the outlet or
breaker to detect a ground fault problem. The
electronics monitor the normal current of power,
owing to the hot or black wire through the
load (e.g. a light bulb or appliance) and coming
back on the neutral or white wire. If just a small
amount of the current comes back on the safety
ground wire the electronics will trip the breaker
or outlet, stopping the ow of electricity. The
amount of current it takes to trip the device from
a ground fault varies slightly from the different
outlet or breaker manufacturers (about 4 to 6
miliamps or less).
NOTE:
One mil is 1/1000 of one amp.
Electrical shocks resulting from ground faults
can be felt, but such a shock is considerably less
than one without ground fault protection. People
with heart conditions, or other conditions that
make them susceptible to shock, can still be
seriously injured. A GFCI outlet or breaker will
not protect against shock from a normal current
ow. For example, a shock from touching both
metal prongs of an electrical cord or appliance
while plugging it in.
WARNING:
If a breaker or outlet continually trips
DO NOT continue to reset breaker
or outlet until the problem has been
identified and corrected.
060072