Dead short

[blithfield]

I have a Eland mig 200 been working fine now when I switch it on at the welder the contactor clicks then it trips the mcb in the house every time. Any help please.

 

[Jim Davey]

Does the contractor come in on its own or do you have to press the trigger first?

 

[voipio]

Do the lights dim briefly before the MCB trips?

 

[blithfield]

Thanks for replying lads I will check in the morning and let you know. Where do you start looking for a short amongst this

 

[Jim Davey]

I'd start with checking the mains cable, most shorts are where the cable is compressed by the cable gland at the back of the set causing the insulation to fail. Fans short out with metal filings between the spade terminals, rectifier diodes can fail and short. Lots of things to look for, best thing to do is start from the plug and follow the voltage through step by step.

 

[blithfield]

Right in one Jim the mains cable about 1/2" dia old rubber 3 core at least 10mm2 had shorted where the cable clamp cut into it there is a plastic blade that you screw down to grip the cable on entering the welder, I could not get any cable the same, all I was offered was 10mm2 swa which is to large a dia to go through the cable clamp so I have shortened the cable by about a metre to get rid of the bad bit. The click I could hear when the welder was switched on was the mcb throwing out and not the contactor. Thanks again

 

[Jim Davey]

You're welcome, invoice for £47.40 on it's way

 

[Jan]

You forgot the VAT.

 

[blithfield]

I wasn't going to tell him that.

 

[Jim Davey]

I assumed it would be understood that I'd given a pre VAT price. Dealing with the general public can be such a pain

 

[Jan]

Legally speaking all retail prices for goods or services - unless stated otherwise - have to include VAT.

 

[Jim Davey]

I'll settle for £47.40 including vat then, your honour.