Circuit Breaker - Holiday Navigator 2003 Owner's Manual

Branch circuit breakers supply AC power to the different items or "loads."
An electrical load is any item or device that will use current when supplied
with an electromotive force. Should a breaker "trip" from over current use, or
a short circuit condition, the load should be tested or disconnected to determine
the reason the breaker tripped. If no cause is found, or not readily apparent,
reset the breaker by toggling the breaker to the OFF position, then back to
ON. Should the breaker trip again after the load is reapplied it may indicate a
fault with that particular load. Do not continue to reset breaker until the problem
has been correctly diagnosed and corrected.
Breaker current ratings are current set points in which the breaker is
designed to operate. The internal configuration of the circuit breaker is
designed to trip when excess current is drawn through the breaker. The breaker
will heat up from the excess current causing the breaker to trip. The trip action
of the circuit breaker can occur within milliseconds due to the speed at which
electricity can travel. Breakers are designed to operate at a continuous load of
80% of the breaker's rated capacity. For example: A breaker with a 20 Amp
rating will operate a continuous 16 Amp load. This design leaves a small
amount of working capacity within the breaker. When an inductive load is
applied, such as when an electric motor turns on, the motor starts to spin and
current consumption may momentarily exceed the rated capacity of the breaker.
As the electric motor comes up to operating speed, the electric motor's current
consumption will decrease. The AC current load then falls back into the
breaker's rated 80% set point. This electric principle should be kept in mind
when using anything other than 50 Amp shore service and using appliances
with electric motors, such as air conditioners. When using outlets, care should
be considered when applying loads such as electric motors, heaters, coffee
makers, toasters, hair dryers or other large current consuming loads. The
current rating is usually stated on most electrical items. The current rating will
either be rated in amps or watts. Current ratings stated on electrical items will
change slightly with voltage fluctuations. As voltage increases, current con-
sumption decreases. As voltage decreases, current consumption increases. This
may explain why in some instances items operated at borderline voltage to
current tolerances may seem fine in one location but problematic in another.
NOTE: To calculate watts to amps simply divide the watt
figure by the voltage of which the item operates from. For
example: The electrical item is rated at 1370 watts. Divide
that by the operating voltage of 115 Volts which equals 11.913
Amps. Use this formula to calculate the amount of load to the
available power supply.
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Electrical Systems - House

Circuit Breaker

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