gfp homemade

ws9876
ws9876 Solar Expert Posts: 440 ✭✭✭
If you want to make a 60 amp DC GFP from pieces on the cheap what would you need??

Comments

  • bill von novak
    bill von novak Solar Expert Posts: 891 ✭✭✭✭
    ws9876 said:
    If you want to make a 60 amp DC GFP from pieces on the cheap what would you need??
    You would gang two breakers together.  One, the GFI breaker, would go from - to ground (usually) and the other, the load breaker, would protect the circuit (i.e. the array.)

    For example, if you could find a 1/4 amp breaker with the same rating and series as the 60 amp breaker, you'd gang them together.  Then if more that 1/4 amp of ground fault current flowed, you'd trip both breakers.

    Of course this doesn't work unless you can common ground and -.  Nor is it floating; you can't use it on transformerless inverters, for example.


  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    And you would "gang" the breakers together (some breakers use a pin between the two handles, others use a clip that covers the two handles--Look at how their 240 Volt ganged breakers link the handles).

    Also, the ground trip breaker could be 1 Amp Rated....

    If you wanted to break two legs of power, then one 1 amp breaker+2x other 20-80 amp breakers (typical--depending on desired current rating)

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • ws9876
    ws9876 Solar Expert Posts: 440 ✭✭✭
    so a 1 amp DC regular breaker physically tied to a 60 amp DC breaker, Midnite Solar?? That would be about 22 dollars,no?better than 50 dollars,yes??
  • bill von novak
    bill von novak Solar Expert Posts: 891 ✭✭✭✭
    ws9876 said:
    so a 1 amp DC regular breaker physically tied to a 60 amp DC breaker, Midnite Solar?? That would be about 22 dollars,no?better than 50 dollars,yes??
    Well, they have to be gangable (which means same dimensions, calibrated trip force etc.)  You can't just get some cheap 1 amp breaker, put it next to a Midnite 60 amp DC breaker and have it work.