Thats more or less what I meant...the loading on it can't be more than 80%. We are seeing 25A off the 30A unit. >From: Dave Tweed >Reply-To: pic microcontroller discussion list >To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU >Subject: [EE]: European power - derated breakers? >Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 12:04:31 -0600 > >Micro Eng wrote: > > Talking to a customer the other day, he mentioned that in Europe, the > > breakers in panel boards are already derated. Meaning, here in the >states, > > NEC requires that a breaker that is rated 30A, be derated to 80% or the > > capacity of 24A for continious duty. But in Europe, a 30A breaker can > > actually provide 30A continious, no derated value. Is this true? Now >of > > course, this doesn't say that a 30A breaker in the states can't run the > > full 30A continious, just by code you are not supposed to. > >I'm not a licensed electrician, but I think the NEC is actually saying >something slightly different: When you add up the loads on the circuit >(following the procedures they outline for various types of intermittent >loads), the total continuous load should be no more than 80% of the >circuit's rating. They aren't just talking about the circuit breaker, but >also about all the wiring and other fixtures associated with the circuit. >They simply don't want to see any circuit running at 100% all the time. > >-- Dave Tweed > >-- >http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! >email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body _________________________________________________________________ From the hottest toys to tips on keeping fit this winter, you ll find a range of helpful holiday info here. http://special.msn.com/network/happyholidays.armx -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body