Remote Fused Disconnect 'Melt Down'

_RaT_ · Jun 7, 2005

Re: Remote Fused Disconnect \'Melt Down\'

I'm just curious what would draw 40-50 amps in a hot tub. 

Well, the combintaion of the pump and a 4500 plus watt heating element for one.

Inspector507 · Jun 7, 2005

Re: Remote Fused Disconnect \'Melt Down\'

A fault to ground will trip a fuse in a few seconds, even the slow blow type. That is not nearly enough time to cause a melt down of the connector block. It had to be a bad termination or a corroded termination due the chlorine content of the spa water.

Spa heaters draw a lot. 3000-4500 watts@230 volts is about 20 amps max. Not enough to cause a melt down of a connector. Unless the connector block is compromised with corrosion.

_RaT_ · Jun 8, 2005

Re: Remote Fused Disconnect \'Melt Down\'

 Spa heaters draw a lot. 3000-4500 watts@230 volts is about 20 amps max. Not enough to cause a melt down of a connector. Unless the connector block is compromised with corrosion.


Don't forget to add the motors. My Hot Springs runs as many as 3 motors plus a heating element. One motor is very small, but 2 are probably 1.5 HP each. Those won't run unless its being used typically. If the spa is not protected by a GFI breaker(s), it would be a good time to consider changing out to such a setup if it is approved to do so.

chim · Jun 8, 2005

Re: Remote Fused Disconnect \'Melt Down\'

One thing to check. If the "meltdown" was caused by a bad connection, the equipment could be undamaged...............chim

BlueRidge · Jun 8, 2005

Re: Remote Fused Disconnect \'Melt Down\'

( Get the tub working again. Nothing like whiskey in the tub. )

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Whiskey in the tub? I don't get it - is it good for the skin or something? Do you just pour a bottle in the water or fill the tub with straight whiskey? Isn't that kind of expensive?

What would you use for a chaser? A beer shower?

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mrwurm · Jun 8, 2005

Re: Remote Fused Disconnect \'Melt Down\'

Well, so may replies that I don't know where to start.

Here are some random responses:

 Mrwurm; Was it the line or load side of the fuse that fried? 
I don't know if the meltdown occured on the line or load side.
The meltdown is confined to the immediate area around the switch blade contacts.

I have'nt pulled the pump out yet and I can't see the tag with the amp specs.

I wrestled the blades out and don't see any visible corrosion.

 Sounds like your pump motor went to ground 
Well, there was recent event with a broken water fitting that soaked the motor controller area /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I'm in Almont. About 90 miles from Monroe. Thanks for the
offer. My neighbor is retired IBEW member. The only way to NOT get his help is to work under the cover of darkness /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And finally, if not sadly, I'm alergic to Whiskey /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Steve_Miller · Jun 8, 2005

Re: Remote Fused Disconnect \'Melt Down\'

Funny thing, we had a 20amp 250v twistlock cord connector on a table saw catch fire this morning here at work. Table saw was running and being used at the time and the breaker didn't trip and the saw kept running fine til the point where the guy ran over and shut the breaker off. I found a loose connection in the clamping mechanism on one terminal and the other wire was almost burnt off on the other terminal. Saw is still running fine as we speak.

Steve

slowrev · Jun 8, 2005

Re: Remote Fused Disconnect \'Melt Down\'

Sounds like a meltdown form resistance in the blade contacts area. I would replace the disconnect and see what happens. All else might be ok.
Ben

Highbeam · Jun 8, 2005

Re: Remote Fused Disconnect \'Melt Down\'

"Whiskey in the tub? I don't get it - is it good for the skin or something? Do you just pour a bottle in the water or fill the tub with straight whiskey? Isn't that kind of expensive?"

OK, whiskey in a glass while sitting in the tub. I only wish I could bathe in the stuff.

Allergic to whiskey? Oh the shame. Almost as bad my living on the puget sound and being allergic to fish.

SPIKER · Jun 9, 2005

Re: Remote Fused Disconnect \'Melt Down\'

Like inspector said:

meltdown is more likely from a LOOSE connection, which lets it start to ARC, (albeit very small arcs,) it does not take long to melt stuff even old bake-a-lite controls plastic which is high temp stuff. I would ohm out the motor & heating elements to check them out before simply assuming that the pump died. anyhow if the blade on the disconnect was bumped and pulled slightly out that also will over heat the disconnect. I've been in industrial electricity for years and seen some good ole melt downs, speaking of hich our transformer that powers the indictatherm smelting furnace blew up and caused a nice power outage the other night /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif only a 100K buck unit hooked dirrectly to the power grid main lines. took out 3/4 of ashland, wanne & richland counties power for a while... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

MakrM