Can an Earth leakage be used as a main switch ?

[GCE]

Is the limitation to disconnect under a certain fault load not an issue?

Yes it is - Hence the reason for the isolator to be paired with a c/breaker that it has been tested with.
If you look in the catalog you will notice that they state - " required to be backed up by a suitable short circuit protection device"

You then need to look in the full specification for which device is suitable to be 100% correct.

[ians]

Yes it is - Hence the reason for the isolator to be paired with a c/breaker that it has been tested with.
If you look in the catalog you will notice that they state - " required to be backed up by a suitable short circuit protection device"

You then need to look in the full specification for which device is suitable to be 100% correct.

Are we talking about domestic installations where for example our council provides 60 or 80 amps at 2.5 ka or application where the KA rating could be higher in the panel ... for example a 400 amp DB with a 15 or 25 KA rating and you are installing sub section of the panel ?

[GCE]

Are we talking about domestic installations where for example our council provides 60 or 80 amps at 2.5 ka or application where the KA rating could be higher in the panel ... for example a 400 amp DB with a 15 or 25 KA rating and you are installing sub section of the panel ?

Talking all electrical installations - You work on the same principles but obviously mistakes get more expensive and dangerous the high the fault level.

On Domestic installtions the guys are getting away with not worrying about the correct protection , which makes the coc invalid, because the fault levels are so low.
There will be the day when he is close to the minisub , mains connection close to the boundary and the fault level is going to be higher than normal.

My other theory is that if Electrical contractors are not made aware of the basics when they are starting out , how do we expect them to understand what happens in a factory or shopping center , when as you previously mentioned they quote to change a 10 Amp CB in a 10KA DB and think that a 3KA CB will work.

[ians]

I had a dispute with a sparkie a while back over a circuit breaker ... he didnt even know the difference between a curve 1 /2 or 3 ... a machine was sent all the way back to Germany because the breaker was tripping when the magnet switched on ... thats why I was called out for a second opinion ... all it needed was a curve 2 breaker. When I looked in the DB ... all the breakers were the small 3 phase 2.5 and 3 ka standard white heineman breakers ... that cost the machine supplying a few pennies in freight ... Below the DB name was a label 5 KA.

[ians]

We havent even touched on arc fault ... an AFDD unit ... lets not confuse everyone

[Firepool]

We have seen a whole development having earth leakage as main.We pass it although stoves and nuisance tripping can cause issues down the line .So would not recommend earth leakage as main switch.

[RegElec]

I could not see the model number of the E/L but the C/B spec sheets also has E/L on it and that brand does look like it has overload protection as well and is rated at 6kA. However, another point is, is it SABS approved?

[Thys LOW Elektries]

Out of personnel experience I would say a DB must have a mains smaller then the supply mains. I recently had a call out about a light not working. After testing I decided to investigate the I ceiling for loose wires. I switched the earth leakage off, since there was no mains and looked for the fault in the ceiling. When I touched a metal conduit I received a severe shock
Back on the ground I found out that the lights were not on earth leakage but was fed from the TOP of the earth leakage. So having a mains, prefabil a two pole is best.

Just for interest sake: 30A and 40A mains and even smaller is pretty common in my valley. That however is a story for another day

[Derlyn]

Hi All

From the photo, would you say that this earth leakage offers both overload and earth leakage protection ?

Cannot find anything online.

Thanks

Derek

[Dylboy]

Hi All

From the photo, would you say that this earth leakage offers both overload and earth leakage protection ?

Cannot find anything online.

Thanks

Derek


[ATTACH=CONFIG]8334[/ATTACH]

I would say yes due to the symbol. The little Astrix thing. Pg 341 of SANS Ed. 3. Will attach screen shot of table, the symbol for a circuit breaker

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[Justloadit]

According to this web site it is a 40A circuit breaker as well.

The symbol is an electromagnetic device used for the tripping mechanism, not sure the origin though.