I recently set up my Kapex and CT33 in a room with a 20A AFCI breaker. The CT33 is set to "auto" mode with the Kapex plugged into it. Whenever I turn on the saw, the AFCI breaker trips killing power. Nothing else is plugged into this circuit. Has anyone else experienced this with their Kapex and dust collector?
Kapex and CT33 tripping AFCI breaker?
- Thread starter Cort
- Start date
Try turning the suction down on the CT a little. That will reduce the power load. I have problems with my TS-55 and a CT on some circuits until I turn down the CT.
Just a thought.
Peter
Just a thought.
Peter
Only issue I have experienced using my kapex with an autostart vac, is that when used with one of my other vacs (a hitachi), that the vac won't shut itself down when using the lasers.
I can't give any proper advise based on my own experience, because we have a different electrical system here (220V), but you could try turning the suction on the CT down, I've read somewhere that this might help.
Years ago we often had issues on jobsites tripping breakers when using the bigger angle grinders, but since we switched to the versions with softstart (those machines don't draw as high a peak current at startup) we haven't had that problem. AFAIK both the CT and the kapex have this functionality built in.
I can't give any proper advise based on my own experience, because we have a different electrical system here (220V), but you could try turning the suction on the CT down, I've read somewhere that this might help.
Years ago we often had issues on jobsites tripping breakers when using the bigger angle grinders, but since we switched to the versions with softstart (those machines don't draw as high a peak current at startup) we haven't had that problem. AFAIK both the CT and the kapex have this functionality built in.
I need to do some more testing, but this circuit is different in that it is on an arc fault current interrupter (AFCI) as opposed to a standard breaker. The saw and dust collector do not trip a regular 20A breaker regardless of dust collector setting. I suspect there is something about the arc fault breaker causing my problem. Supposedly motors are known for creating micro arcs that trip these breakers. I've read about people having problems with exercise machines plugged into AFCI protected circuits, so I suspect this is a not too uncommon problem. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) the U.S. national electric code mandates AFCI breakers for almost all circuits now. I need to plug my saw/dust collector combo into some other AFCI protected circuits to see if the problem is reproduced. I suppose I could have an out of spec breaker.Cort said:
chrisrosenb
Member
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2007
- Messages
- 1,265
I have never been able to use a motor with brushes on an arch fault breaker.
If you think about it. If the motor has bushes, it will produce its own arch & trip the breaker.
If you think about it. If the motor has bushes, it will produce its own arch & trip the breaker.
Chris Hughes
Member
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2008
- Messages
- 572
I would have to agree that it is the nature of AFCI breaker itself. I have heard about many complaints regarding the breakers tripping constantly. If it is a long term job I would swap the breaker at the panel for the duration of the job and swap it back on the way out the door.
Although it?s apparently not a problem on mainland European style outlets , I?ve some stories about faulty US type outlets needing to be replaced in CT vacs.
Could this perhaps be the case here? If I understand the workings of an AFCI correctly ( We don't have 'm over here AFAIK ) it only needs to be a little bit loose to cause some arcing...
Regards,
Job
Could this perhaps be the case here? If I understand the workings of an AFCI correctly ( We don't have 'm over here AFAIK ) it only needs to be a little bit loose to cause some arcing...
Regards,
Job
It turns out that if I unplug the saw from the dust collector, and separately turn on each, the AFCI breaker holds. This is with the dust collector at full suction. Surprisingly, if I turn down the dust collector and keep the saw plugged into it, then the breaker holds too. There must be something about the "in rush of current" with the saw plugged into the dust collector at full suction that trips the AFCI breaker. I know the circuit is not overloaded, since these are the only two loads connected to it.
