I have installed a new battery charger but I am not able to find what size circuit breaker to protect the 115VAC input side. It outputs 10 amps @ 12V. Would I use a 10 amp breaker for the 115VAC side? Any recomendations would be appreciated.
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Wiring
The breaker size is based on two things, how much you need, and how much your wiring can handle. You need a breaker that will handle all of the appliances you plan on using (including the charger), along with a little more, in case you add more later. In other words, you don't have to have appliances that draw a total of 15 amps, and use only a 10 amp breaker. If you do, it won't stay on when everything is running. That said, the purpose of the breaker is to ensure you don't have too much amperage going through your system. If you have a 20 amp breaker, and 15 amps worth of appliances, and wiring that can only safely hold 10 amps, you're going to have problems. When the wires get hot, the breaker won't break. That said, my recommendation would be that you make sure your wiring will handle 30 amps throughout, and then get a 30 amp breaker.
The breaker size is based on two things, how much you need, and how much your wiring can handle. You need a breaker that will handle all of the appliances you plan on using (including the charger), along with a little more, in case you add more later. In other words, you don't have to have appliances that draw a total of 15 amps, and use only a 10 amp breaker. If you do, it won't stay on when everything is running. That said, the purpose of the breaker is to ensure you don't have too much amperage going through your system. If you have a 20 amp breaker, and 15 amps worth of appliances, and wiring that can only safely hold 10 amps, you're going to have problems. When the wires get hot, the breaker won't break. That said, my recommendation would be that you make sure your wiring will handle 30 amps throughout, and then get a 30 amp breaker.
All wiring is able to handle 30 amps
I want ot put in a dedicated breaker just for the battery charger and am try to figure how many AC amps it will draw. If the charger only draws 10 amps AC then a 10 amp circuit breaker is all I'll need correct?
I want ot put in a dedicated breaker just for the battery charger and am try to figure how many AC amps it will draw. If the charger only draws 10 amps AC then a 10 amp circuit breaker is all I'll need correct?
Breaker
The info tag on the charger should have the input amps needed for it. If it is on a seperate circuit then follow the recommendations. Many of the chargers have an internal breaker, so you may not need one at all. Check out the paperwork that comes with it or contact the mfg. And as someone else said, be sure the wiring is able to handle the needed amps. If in doubt on the wiring,always go one size bigger.
The info tag on the charger should have the input amps needed for it. If it is on a seperate circuit then follow the recommendations. Many of the chargers have an internal breaker, so you may not need one at all. Check out the paperwork that comes with it or contact the mfg. And as someone else said, be sure the wiring is able to handle the needed amps. If in doubt on the wiring,always go one size bigger.
The circuit breaker protects
the house wire!!! 14 gauge wire needs a 15 amp breaker 12 gauge wire needs a 20 amp breaker If you are looking to protect the appliance then it should have an internal fuse or overload breaker.
the house wire!!! 14 gauge wire needs a 15 amp breaker 12 gauge wire needs a 20 amp breaker If you are looking to protect the appliance then it should have an internal fuse or overload breaker.
Min 1.5 - Max 15
The MAXIMUM breaker size is determined by the wire size. #14 Wiring to Charger = 15A max Breaker. #12 Wiring to Charger = 20A max Breaker The MINIMUM Breaker size is determined by the AC Charger current draw. A 10 A 12VDC Output, might draw roughly 1.25 to 1.42 Amps at 120VAC*, suggesting a Minimum Breaker size of 5 Amps (smallest conventional size available). The Charger should have an internal fuse rated about 1.5 to 2 Amps. 10 A x 12.8V = 128 Watts Load 128 Watts at 75% efficiency = 170 Watts (150W @ 85% Eff) 170 Watts / 120VAC = 1.42 Amps (1.25A @ 85% Eff) Supply
The MAXIMUM breaker size is determined by the wire size. #14 Wiring to Charger = 15A max Breaker. #12 Wiring to Charger = 20A max Breaker The MINIMUM Breaker size is determined by the AC Charger current draw. A 10 A 12VDC Output, might draw roughly 1.25 to 1.42 Amps at 120VAC*, suggesting a Minimum Breaker size of 5 Amps (smallest conventional size available). The Charger should have an internal fuse rated about 1.5 to 2 Amps. 10 A x 12.8V = 128 Watts Load 128 Watts at 75% efficiency = 170 Watts (150W @ 85% Eff) 170 Watts / 120VAC = 1.42 Amps (1.25A @ 85% Eff) Supply
Rick, you need a 5A breaker.
as that is the smallest you can get. The load from the charger will be approx 1.5A on the AC circuit. If the load (draw) gets over 5A, something is cooking and the breaker will trip to shut it off and protect your wiring and boat.
as that is the smallest you can get. The load from the charger will be approx 1.5A on the AC circuit. If the load (draw) gets over 5A, something is cooking and the breaker will trip to shut it off and protect your wiring and boat.
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