Single phase motor tripping MCB

[AlexBrown_1]

Hi all,
Conundrum here, moved into a new place and the mill is being an absolute pig at tripping the mcb fuse and is pretty much unusable.

Unfortunately the entire garage is on a 16a B type breaker, which is certainly not my choice but replacing fusing is not an option as unfortunately we're still renting.

The mill has maybe a 3/4hp motor which would occasionally trip the fuse at our last house but only on the highest speeds.

From my limited knowledge the motor is drawing a large amount immediately on start up which is the problem, the motors are absolutely fine if they manage to get going. Is there anything I can do about this? Is there a slow start-up type electrical gadget that I can plug in inline that wouldn't mean replacing motors or that would cost a fortune?

I did consider a generator but the noise might not make us best friends with the neighbours.

Ta

 

[gaz1]

you can change the fuse just keep the old one and when you move again refit it thats if you want to do

 

[barracuda816]

Check the capacitor also. When the value drifts they trip the Mcb easier.

 

[GRW]

3/4hp is 3 Amps or so running current - but transient starting current getting it going might be 20A even 30A.

If the supply cable is 2.5mm (should be at minimum), then you could swap the MCB for a 25A, up to a 32A.
A 16A might do it if it were a type C or better still a D.

As @gaz1 says - you can always keep the old one & swap it back later (though it's doubtful the Landlord would even notice).

 

[AlexBrown_1]

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll start by checking the capacitors.
I'm not sure about swapping the mcb because every other mcb with a 32a has two wires in, but this has one, and I don't know enough about the wiring to be certain it'll take the extra load. I think it'll be 2.5mm but there's enough that I'm not sure about, and with the way landlords seem to be at the moment I don't want to ask and give them any excuse to kick us out/not renew our contract.

 

[My Old Landy]

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll start by checking the capacitors.
I'm not sure about swapping the mcb because every other mcb with a 32a has two wires in, but this has one, and I don't know enough about the wiring to be certain it'll take the extra load. I think it'll be 2.5mm but there's enough that I'm not sure about, and with the way landlords seem to be at the moment I don't want to ask and give them any excuse to kick us out/not renew our contract.

That is a sensible approach. The regs (433.1) also state a radial over 20a has to be 4mm not 2.5 hence the breaker fitted.
Edit to say 32a circuits are ring hence the two wires.

 

[Guineafowl]

Assuming the motor’s not at fault, the easiest way would be to swap for a 16A type C breaker of the same brand, which won’t be noticed. Find a friendly local electrician to do a quick loop impedance test to check the circuit will take it. It’ll be more suitable for all your machine tools.

 

[Neilj]

16A type C breaker would also be my choice as well. Keep the old one and put it back in when you move out.