Holiday 2002 NEPTUNE, Owner'S Manual

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Electrical Systems - House
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2 0 0 2 N E P T U N E
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Branch circuit breakers supply AC power to the different items or “loads.”
An electrical load is any item or device that will use current when supplied
with an electromotive force. Should a breaker “trip” from over current use, or a
short circuit condition, the load to which the breaker is supplying the electro-
motive force should be reviewed or disconnected to determine the cause of the
trip. If no cause is found, or not readily apparent, reset the breaker by toggling
the breaker to the OFF position, then back to ON. Should the breaker trip again
after the load is reapplied it may indicate a fault with that particular load.
Do not continue to reset breaker until the problem has been diagnosed and
corrected.
Breaker current ratings are current set points in which the breaker is
designed to operate. The internal configuration of the circuit breaker is
designed to trip when excess current is drawn through the breaker. The breaker
will heat up from the excess current causing the breaker to trip. The trip action
of the circuit breaker can occur within milliseconds due to the speed at which
electricity can travel. Breakers are designed to operate at a continuous load of
80% of the breaker’s rated capacity. For example: A breaker with a 20 Amp
rating will operate a continuous 16 Amp load. This design leaves a small
amount of working capacity within the breaker. When an inductive load is
applied, such as when an electric motor turns on, the motor starts to spin and
current consumption may momentarily exceed the rated capacity of the break-
er. As the electric motor comes up to operating speed, the electric motor’s cur-
rent consumption will fall. The AC current load then falls back into the break-
er’s rated 80% set point. This electric principle should be kept in mind when
using anything other than 50 Amp shore service and using appliances with
electric motors, such as air conditioners. When using outlets, care should be
considered when applying loads such as electric motors, heaters, coffee mak-
ers, toasters, hair dryers or other large current consuming loads. The current
rating is usually stated on most electrical items. The current rating will either
be rated in amps or watts. Current ratings stated on electrical items will change
slightly with voltage fluctuations. As voltage increases current consumption
decreases. As voltage decreases current consumption increases. This may
explain why in some instances items operated at borderline voltage to current
tolerances may seem fine in one location but problematic in another.
NOTE: To calculate watts to amps simply divide the watt
figure by the voltage of which the item operates from. For
example: The electrical item is rated at 1370 watts. Divide
that by the operating voltage of 115 Volts which equals
11.913 Amps. Use this formula to calculate the amount of
load to the available power supply.
Circuit Breakers