Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Orange toggle

  1. #1
    Full Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    Capetown
    Posts
    42
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Orange toggle

    Hi guys. Is there anything restricting me to use a 20A orange toggle for a plug circuit. Circuit is generaly pulling 18A but when fridge or freezer start it goes over 20A and trip the mcb

  2. #2
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Westrand
    Posts
    23
    Thanks
    6
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
    Orange lever switches have a slow tripping curve. Therefore it would take longer to trip than a normal white lever switch especially under fault conditions.

    If your MCB (that should have a higher rating) trips before the 20A CB for the plug circuit trips you might have a faulty MCB or the total load on the MCB is too much.
    Last edited by Lourens.dL; 12-Jan-20 at 12:02 AM.

  3. #3
    Platinum Member Derlyn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    East london
    Posts
    1,483
    Thanks
    104
    Thanked 141 Times in 134 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Tang View Post
    Hi guys. Is there anything restricting me to use a 20A orange toggle for a plug circuit. Circuit is generaly pulling 18A but when fridge or freezer start it goes over 20A and trip the mcb
    See table 6.27 SANS 10142-1.

    If your circuit is wired with 2,5mm sq wire, you can use a 25A mcb.

    Cheers and peace out ... Derek

  4. #4
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    Quote Originally Posted by Derlyn View Post
    See table 6.27 SANS 10142-1.

    If your circuit is wired with 2,5mm sq wire, you can use a 25A mcb.
    Given that the circuit contains socket outlets, compliance with 6.15.3 may present challenges if you go that route.

  5. #5
    Platinum Member Derlyn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    East london
    Posts
    1,483
    Thanks
    104
    Thanked 141 Times in 134 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave A View Post
    Given that the circuit contains socket outlets, compliance with 6.15.3 may present challenges if you go that route.
    Yep Dave, you right.

    Tang, scrap my bad idea. Can work for aircons, but not socket outlets.

    Cheers and peace out ... Derek.

  6. #6
    Full Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    Capetown
    Posts
    42
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    Hi guys. I still do not see the reg. stating that orange toggles are not allowed to protect plug circuits. My problem is a plug circuit witch were wired with twin and earth(chased directly in wall) and drawing to close to mcb max. I know that 2,5mm cables can draw more then 20A depending on installation method and the mcb rating of a plug circuit may not exceed 125% of the socket rating. So a 20A orange toggle can go up to 25A for a very limited time. I have seen aircons feeding from plug circuits witch are protected with orange toggle mcb's. I do not want to install the orange toggle(witch will solve my problem) if it is ileagal.

  7. #7
    Platinum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Port Elizabeth
    Posts
    1,236
    Thanks
    34
    Thanked 304 Times in 258 Posts
    It cannot be illegal - The C/Breaker is still 20 Amp rated but has a different time setting
    I cannot recall or find anything that prevents an orange toggle being used

  8. #8
    Diamond Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    planet earth
    Posts
    3,943
    Thanks
    153
    Thanked 317 Times in 287 Posts
    Orange...curve 1...D curve breakers are designed specifically for this type of application.

    Do some research into circuit breakers and you will find that curve 1 ...2 and 3 have specific applications.

    All boils down to design and application.
    Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •