16Amp Live And Neutral Switching

[giantspider]

Hi, I have a 16amp circuit installed in last 2 yrs for powering a Jet planer/thicknesser which will work on 13amps but was advised to use 16amp.  This supply has circuit breakers which come on almost everytime I switch on the Jet.  I reset and then try again.  It eventually starts and will restart with no tripping.  I was concerned about this issue and so, with power off, I looked at the connections - the plug on the Jet (supplied by the manufacturer had earth to earth but neutral was connected to L/+ and live to the unmarked third pin.  On the socket my electrician had installed the live was connected to the L/+.

Does it matter that this is the configuration?  To me, logically I'd have thought that the live cables should have both connected thru' the L/+ pins/sockets?  Could this be the cause of my tripping?

And if it were corrected (if my logic is right) what are the dangers to my Jet to suddenly have the feeds changed?

Any advice/giuidance appreciated.

 

[ProDave]

That won't be the cause of your tripping, but you should still swap the wires over in the plug so they are the right way round.  Leaving it like it is could mean the internal switchgear of the planer is only switching the neutral.

More likely your problem is inrush current. I'll bet you have a type B circuit breaker, it will say B16 on the front.  That probably wants to be changed to a C type which will withstand a higher inrush current, but your electrician will need to make a measurement of Zs first to ensure the wiring is capable of supporting the type C breaker.

 

[giantspider]

Thanks for speedy reply.  Yes it does have a B type circuit breaker.  Changing the connections so that all are into L hopefully will not harm the planer - as a german made piece of equipment it comes with a continental female power connector at the other end of the lead and this presumably allows live to go into either connection on the machine socket.

Again thanks for response.

 

[Steve3948]

I would also check your colours, German colours can be misleading, do continuity pin to pin.

Also I would use a D type, as its a motor driven machine, providing its within maximum ZS.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

I Agree with above. What are the  cable colours  in your 16A plug ?

 

[Sidewinder]

A D is a bit of an overkill for a  little Jet machine TBH.

If you give me the full model number etc. I can check up on the motor type if you want.

A C16 should be fine.

You also say circuit breakers as in plural, is there an RCD also involved?

 

[septiclecky]

Hi, I have a 16amp circuit installed in last 2 yrs for powering a Jet planer/thicknesser which will work on 13amps but was advised to use 16amp.  This supply has circuit breakers which come on almost everytime I switch on the Jet.  I reset and then try again.  It eventually starts and will restart with no tripping.  I was concerned about this issue and so, with power off, I looked at the connections - the plug on the Jet (supplied by the manufacturer had earth to earth but neutral was connected to L/+ and live to the unmarked third pin.  On the socket my electrician had installed the live was connected to the L/+.

Does it matter that this is the configuration?  To me, logically I'd have thought that the live cables should have both connected thru' the L/+ pins/sockets?  Could this be the cause of my tripping?

And if it were corrected (if my logic is right) what are the dangers to my Jet to suddenly have the feeds changed?

Any advice/giuidance appreciated.

New one on me I always thought a breaker was always on not come on when something is switched on?

 

[giantspider]

Hi, Wiring is same as UK - brown/red blue green/yellow.  Machine is Jet 260.  Re the trips - there is an overall one for the 16amp box plus a trip for the specific circuit.  It is the one trip that goes.  And after sometimes several resets the machine starts.  Once it's warmed up the machine has no problem starting without tripping.

Thanks again for all your responses.

 

[giantspider]

Further update - I replaced the wall mounted socket and the machine's plug.  I "corrected" the wiring as suggested above.  Found some signs of blackening on the replaced units where neutral from the supply and the old live pin on the machine's plug connected!  Since the change the machine has came on first time everytime and no tripping.  Will it last?