new (used) r-tec 210ext tripping breaker

[Paulbarrett]

Picked up an r-tech ac/dc 210ext but it's tripping out the breaker and main breaker.
But will start up fine once breaker reset.
It's a dead short and not rcd. So not an earth to neutral fault. Tried it on a 32a breaker and it does the same.
Currently wired to a 16a blue commando plug etc.

Anyone had this with a tig machines?

It's less than a year old,

 

[Paulbarrett]

Just had a thought.

May need a type C breaker. But then again it trips the 40a in the house that feeds the workshop.

 

[brightspark]

whats the current rating on the input

 

[Paulbarrett]

On the machine 220v 30a, so it could be that i do need a type C on the house breaker and 32a type C in the garage

 

[brightspark]

possibly being transformer based c type

 

[the snooper]

is it tripping simply switching on or when you attempt to weld

 

[Paulbarrett]

Only when starting up, so it must be startup current is exeding 40a

 

[the snooper]

Only when starting up, so it must be startup current is exeding 40a

it wont draw anything near 40 amp on start up as the welding transformer is only energised when you pull the trigger on the torch, your fault lies elsewhere

 

[the snooper]

ive just googled that model it says its an invertor

 

[brightspark]

isnt the transformer energised as soon as the machine is turned on then when the trigger is pulled the contactor pulls in and makes the circuit from torch to earth ??

 

[the snooper]

isnt the transformer energised as soon as the machine is turned on then when the trigger is pulled the contactor pulls in and makes the circuit from torch to earth ??

on a mig the transformer is only energised by the pull of the trigger I know this is tig but the invertor wont be running until the torch button is pressed same as plasma cutter

 

[Paulbarrett]

It welds lovely once on, and doesnt trip out on max

 

[the snooper]

It welds lovely once on, and doesnt trip out on max

if it has a fault and not your supply at fault my guess the fault will be on the primary side of the power supply board

 

[Paulbarrett]

Which was my initial thought, but surely it woukd constantly trip out the breaker and not fire up on reset

 

[the snooper]

Which was my initial thought, but surely it woukd constantly trip out the breaker and not fire up on reset

if I was you I would try on a totally different supply to eliminate that if still the same start looking for another reason, but there is no way it will be pulling that sort of amperage on startup

 

[doubleboost]

I use a "D" type circuit braker
No problems at all even with the 260

 

[hotrodder]

I might be talking nonsense but i suspect it's inrush current related to the large number of big capacitors used in inverters? Different model but another R-tech machine that kept popping breakers when it was switched on... http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/r-tech.20066/#post-221830

This sort of thing is one of the reasons why the 'premium' brands cost a LOT more... for a given output they're usually a chunk lighter, less power hungry and 'manage' (for want of a better word) what they draw out of the wall better so they run happily from a 13A plug (even though it's a bit naughty) without warming it up or tripping B curve MCBs

 

[Paulbarrett]

Im going to swap out to type C's and see what happens

It is odd though as gavin was running it from a lead with a 13a plug

 

[the snooper]

I use a "D" type circuit braker
No problems at all even with the 260

I would also try the new breaker route, had a new db board fitted a while back and now all manor of stuff trips it, compressor, 110 tranny, welder's, chops saw, but not all the time and ive been to lazy to get another one

 

[AdrianH]

There will be some very large capacitors that need to charge up and will probably do so on switch on so I would still imaging a large inrush current, if the unit has not been on for a while.

I would suggest a call to R-Tech but guess they might recommend a different type breaker.

Adrian
edit a 13 Amp fuse is very slow to blow and will cope with a lot before it lets go.