Changing domestic rcd from a 16amp to a 32amp

[stinka]

My stick welder blows fuses over 100 amps

No, it's got a standard 13 amp fuse domestic plug into standard socket in garage. The garage has its own board with a 100amp mcb and the sockets have a b16 16amp rcd.

So I'm thinking of swapping the socket on the wall for a blue 16 amp socket with same 16 amp plug on welder.

Can I swap the rcd easily enough for a larger 32 amp one So I can crank those Amps well past my current 100 amp limit ??

[stinka]

That last but should say 13amp limit, not 100amp

[cncfabs]

Originally Posted by stinka

My stick welder blows fuses over 100 amps

No, it's got a standard 13 amp fuse domestic plug into standard socket in garage. The garage has its own board with a 100amp mcb and the sockets have a b16 16amp rcd.

So I'm thinking of swapping the socket on the wall for a blue 16 amp socket with same 16 amp plug on welder.

Can I swap the rcd easily enough for a larger 32 amp one So I can crank those Amps well past my current 100 amp limit ??

Had garage built 2 years ago and had 16 amp plugs put in for my welder.Was on 13 amp with old style breakers.The new 16 amp plugs turned out to be worse and have now gone back to 13 amp.Best thing to do is hard wire it to 30amp supply.

[makeitfit]

Originally Posted by stinka

That last but should say 13amp limit, not 100amp

The RCD you're replacing is there to protect the existing cable size. Is it on a ring ? You can see by opening the consumer unit and see if there's a pair of wires on that fuse. While you're there see what size cable it is.

[(RIP) PLANK]

isn't the problem with welders that they are an inductive load an create a sudden surge when you first switch them on? not sure how to solve it, but I will watch with interest

[stinka]

Originally Posted by makeitfit

The RCD you're replacing is there to protect the existing cable size. Is it on a ring ? You can see by opening the consumer unit and see if there's a pair of wires on that fuse. While you're there see what size cable it is.

Cable comes in one wire from consumer to double socket on wa, it's in truncking and it's 10mm so 53amp

[makeitfit]

Originally Posted by stinka

Cable comes in one wire from consumer to double socket on wa, it's in truncking and it's 10mm so 53amp

No probs then change the RCD

[rayf3262]

MCB's are available in a number of surge ratings, generally type B C and D.
The vast majority of domestic installations use Type B.

The .2 second ratings are:
Type B: 3 to 5 x Rated Current
Type C: 5 to 10 x Reated Current
Type D: 10 to 14 x Rated Current

Type D breakers are commonly used on large motor and welders.

So ideally you need to change the MCB for a C or D type of the SAME current rating, as the MCB is sized to protect the wiring.

[stinka]

I'm thinking of bodging this

I'm going to use this :

http://bit.ly/Tzjtp1

Will use it to split the cable into 2 so running 2x13amp plug on two flex coming in to block, there fore 26amp supply

What ya think ?

Obviously I'll tape it up severely and then some more and only use it when no ones about

I think it will work all though its a bodge

[stinka]

Btw I'm on about the welder, adding two standard 13amp plugs on it so making the fuse 26amp

[stinka]

Also I could put 10amp fuses in the plugs to make it 20amp, bit safer like

[SPARKIEDOO]

Originally Posted by rayf3262

MCB's are available in a number of surge ratings, generally type B C and D.
The vast majority of domestic installations use Type B.

The .2 second ratings are:
Type B: 3 to 5 x Rated Current
Type C: 5 to 10 x Reated Current
Type D: 10 to 14 x Rated Current

Type D breakers are commonly used on large motor and welders.

So ideally you need to change the MCB for a C or D type of the SAME current rating, as the MCB is sized to protect the wiring.

nice to see here someone is talking sence

[rayf3262]

Originally Posted by stinka

I'm thinking of bodging this

Will use it to split the cable into 2 so running 2x13amp plug on two flex coming in to block, there fore 26amp supply

What ya think ?

Obviously I'll tape it up severely and then some more and only use it when no ones about

I think it will work all though its a bodge

Please do not do that, it is inherently very dangerous, you will be creating something the electrical industry calls a "WIDOW-MAKER" The potential for a loose 13A plug with live pins exposed!

[edgerton19]

If you fit 2 off 13A plugs then if one is not connected and the other is live the pins on the unconncted plug will become live and very dangerous.

I have fitted and used a 16A blue type socket in my garage and fed it with a 16A type D MCB from the garage distribution board.
The garage supply is protected by a 63A rated RCD followed by a 32A type D MCB in the house.

RCDs protect against earth currents/leakage and MCBs protect against excess current.

I can run my 150A Cebora MIG welder with 0.8mm wire without problems.

The usual cause of fuses blowing/MCBs tripping is flux doubling of the transformer (Google for more details) and the type D breaker allow the larger initial surge wihout tripping.

Having done all of the above I then did an impedance check on the wiring to ensure the installation met the wiring regs for breaker trip times. Easy when you know how and have access to the test gear.

[stinka]

Originally Posted by rayf3262

Please do not do that, it is inherently very dangerous, you will be creating something the electrical industry calls a "WIDOW-MAKER" The potential for a loose 13A plug with live pins exposed!

No one goes/is alowed in my garage, and I'm not stupid enough to plug it in whilst socket turned on ...