ᐅ Why are outdoor electrical outlets protected by only a 10A circuit breaker? Can this be changed?
Created on: 24 May 2023 10:18
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Tolentino
Dear forum members,
I noticed early on that my outdoor sockets support less power than my indoor sockets (electric car caused the fuse to trip), but I didn’t look into it further at that time. Recently, I had issues with the shredder and the stone-cutting machine.
Annoyed by this, I finally checked the fuse box and found that both outdoor sockets are protected with 10 A fuses, while all the others are protected with 16 A fuses.
I have read that this is quite common, especially with switched sockets.
Both of my outdoor sockets are switched (recommended by the electrician, who did not inform me that this also means they support less power).
So, my first question is, why is this done? My assumption is that standard switches can only handle lower power (thermal load), so they are protected with lower-rated fuses to make sure the fuse trips before the switch burns out.
Can these be simply replaced? Can I hold the electrician responsible for not mentioning this? Is there any regulation or standard governing this? For example, that a standard type F socket (Schuko) should be rated for at least 3.5 kW, or does the electrician’s approach comply with best practices?
Thanks and best regards,
Tolentino
I noticed early on that my outdoor sockets support less power than my indoor sockets (electric car caused the fuse to trip), but I didn’t look into it further at that time. Recently, I had issues with the shredder and the stone-cutting machine.
Annoyed by this, I finally checked the fuse box and found that both outdoor sockets are protected with 10 A fuses, while all the others are protected with 16 A fuses.
I have read that this is quite common, especially with switched sockets.
Both of my outdoor sockets are switched (recommended by the electrician, who did not inform me that this also means they support less power).
So, my first question is, why is this done? My assumption is that standard switches can only handle lower power (thermal load), so they are protected with lower-rated fuses to make sure the fuse trips before the switch burns out.
Can these be simply replaced? Can I hold the electrician responsible for not mentioning this? Is there any regulation or standard governing this? For example, that a standard type F socket (Schuko) should be rated for at least 3.5 kW, or does the electrician’s approach comply with best practices?
Thanks and best regards,
Tolentino
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xMisterDx25 May 2023 20:56It is probably actually due to your light switches being misused for the power outlets.
My outdoor socket is switched in the sub-distribution board, where a 16A (16 amp) breaker is installed. According to the calculation above, this also makes sense.
My outdoor socket is switched in the sub-distribution board, where a 16A (16 amp) breaker is installed. According to the calculation above, this also makes sense.
xMisterDx schrieb:
A circuit breaker with a B-type characteristic must trip at five times the rated current, which is 80A. That corresponds to a line resistance of 2.875 ohms. This cannot be generalized so easily; it depends on the time. At 1.4 times the rated current, it should trip after 30 minutes. At a factor of 5, it should trip within 5 seconds...
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xMisterDx28 May 2023 12:05Yes. It’s about short circuits and generally about overcurrent protection. For personal safety, this is not intended; modern installations use an RCD (residual current device, called FI in German) for that purpose. It ensures that current flowing through a person does not exceed 30mA, which can already cause ventricular fibrillation in people with weak hearts.
It is important that a circuit breaker with B-characteristic can allow up to 80 A to flow during a solid short circuit. According to standards, it must trip and disconnect the short circuit at this current.
If less than 80 A is reached because the line resistance is too high, it will trip via the thermal element instead... which would be bad, especially since 230 V is still present at the housing of the defective device.
But as mentioned, from 2 ohms onwards, the electrician should become suspicious...
It is important that a circuit breaker with B-characteristic can allow up to 80 A to flow during a solid short circuit. According to standards, it must trip and disconnect the short circuit at this current.
If less than 80 A is reached because the line resistance is too high, it will trip via the thermal element instead... which would be bad, especially since 230 V is still present at the housing of the defective device.
But as mentioned, from 2 ohms onwards, the electrician should become suspicious...