Thread: Fan voltage
View Single Post
  #4   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 04-06-2008, 11:43
Alan Anderson's Avatar
Alan Anderson Alan Anderson is offline
Software Architect
FRC #0045 (TechnoKats)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Rookie Year: 2004
Location: Kokomo, Indiana
Posts: 9,113
Alan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Anderson has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Fan voltage

First, the fan voltage is unrelated to the breaker current rating. Whatever breaker you use, you'd better be supplying the 12 volts needed by the fan. A properly-working fan won't pull more current than it needs, so the size of the breaker isn't really relevant unless the fan itself breaks.

Remember, a circuit breaker's job is to protect the wiring. Regardless of how much current the component is expected to draw, the maximum rating of the breaker should be based on the size of the wires. (The FRC manual gives the rule in the other direction: the gauge of the wires must reflect the size of the breaker.)

If you use a 30 amp circuit breaker, you should be using 14AWG or larger wire.