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Unread 04-02-2013, 23:26
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Re: No auto-resetting fuses on Spikes?

Quote:
Originally Posted by apalrd View Post
R60 in 2010 allowed the breaker on any Spike. We used window motors on Spikes with breakers without issue.

R55 in 2011 banned it again.

This is another rule that really makes no sense. But, it is a rule.
Actually, it makes a lot of sense. If you put a motor on the Spike and it pulls too much current under load, the fuse will blow, end of story.

If you have a reset breaker in there, it will snap, reset, snap again, reset, over and over again, not providing proper circuit protection and causing something else more important to become the fuse, sometimes with frightening consequences.

The use of the resetting breaker in the compressor is a concession suggested by, I believe, the manufacturer of the compressor. It has a high in-rush current on startup, but a much lower running current. Other motors don't have that characteristic.

Dr. Bob
Chairman's Award is not about building the robot. Every team builds a robot.