I have just returned a vacuum cleaner to Godfreys to fix under guarantee. The problem is that it suddenly started to trip the safety switch (core balance relay).
What is the most likely fault?
I am sure that they are going to give it back either claiming to have fixed it or tell me there is nothing wrong with it. Is there some way I can demonstrate, in the shop, that it is faulty? I don't want to buy a portable safety switch for the purpose.
"David Segall"
** Most vacs are class 2 appliances ie "double insulated" .Is this one ?
Look for the double square symbol or lack of earth connection in the AC lead.
** First answer the above.** Why not ?
They are dirt cheap and very useful things to have.
Tightarse.
.......... Phil
they will have an insulation tester in the workshop, as it operates at 500V or more it will most likely confirm the fault you describe.
Bye. Jasen
Does the plug have an earth pin? Most vacuum cleaners are double insulated, which tends to rule out an earth fault.
Since we are hazarding a guess here....
One possible cause could be the electro-magnetic interference being conducted down the power cord causing the safety switch to trip. This is more probable if the device is double insulated.... Try different points around the house closer and farther away from the switch box. See if it doesn't trip in other parts of the house as the inference could be attenuated by the length of the house wiring.
I know in the early days - I could trip my house circuit breaker by placing a CB radio antenna (27Mhz) close to the circuit breaker - then transmitting. (motors can generate a lot if electrical noise).
If the device has an earth then possibly there may be a short inside the device.
Vacuum cleaners... like every thing else are meant to meet Aus safety and EMC (EMR Electro-magnetic Radiation) Specifications.... BUT these cheep devices are designed and produced in other countries where the testing may me done also.
==> Thus - I doubt weather Godfreys or the Importer of the Vacuum cleaner has any equipment or experience to do the testing you mention.
The importer just tells the Vacuum Cleaner mfg that the product must meet Australian standards and either of them go and get it tested.
Once approved the products are imported in volume.... and there is less likely to repair them under warranty.... just replacement.
PS There are Earth Leakage Monitors - Good electical repair shops have em - they might test your product for a small fee.
JG
I can't check the vacuum cleaner. It's "being repaired". I assumed it was not double insulated because it tripped the safety switch. However, now I think about it, although it had a 3 pin plug I think the earth pin may have been all plastic.
OK. I'll price one.
"David Segall"
** Checked to see if your arse is on fire ?........ Phil
Is you safety switch *just* a safety switch ?, or is it a combined circuit-breaker *and* core-balance-relay ? _________________________________________ Usenet Zone Free Binaries Usenet Server More than 140,000 groups Unlimited download
first test your elcb to check it is ok. a current of 30ma between the active and earth pin should cause it to trip, not 10mA or 5mA or whatever. other devices connected to the circuit may be adding to the leakage.
It's a "Clipsal 4EBE220/30 Combined Core Balance Residual Current Circuit Breaker and Combination RCD/MCB".
I have assumed that the problem relates to the Core Balance Relay part because the vacuum cleaner works on the power points that are not protected by it. Well, that and the fact that I don't know what an RCD/MCB is.
It's a combination residual current device (fault to earth trips at 30mA) and miniature circuit breaker (over current protection). I think the E in the model # indicates internal electronic circuitry.
The state of my arse is off-topic in aus.electronics. Please post the question in a more appropriate group that may satisfy your interest.
Is it possible that the power circuit in question is near to its current limit? I remember one day just for a stuff around hooking a vacuum cleaner up to a 750va ups just to see what would happen (possible there was no AC at the time) and every time I hit the power button the overload in the ups kicked. So this in thought, if the breaker was 10 or so amp and the grid was up to 8amp then the initial power draw could kick the breaker.
This is most unlikely but a thought, and I have seen this sort of shit happen before.
What makes you so sure?
If you've got an earth leakage problem, they can probably fix it by replacing the motor. They should have the equipment on hand to check that it works.
RCD's work when the current in the active and the current in the neutral wires differ by 30ma. The only place the current can get away to is earth. Anyone who does Testing of Electrical Appliances should be able to do a test. Check for insulation breaking down to earth. Test at 240v or 500v.
500v is regulati>> MC wrote:ElectronDepot website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.