Foot pedal trips breaker

[ryanjones2150]

Which is precisely why I need more power. As it is, I have 125 amps coming from the house but budget that to 100 to give myself a little safety buffer. I do trip breakers from time to time, but it's always the 20 amp circuits.

My plan is to add another service from the pole of an additional 200 amps for my new addition and future expansion, i.e.; lathe and a mill.

[H80N]

Well, hopefully this one won't trip the breaker when I mash the foot pedal. This will be my catalyst to improve the electrical service to the shop. I'm just squeeking by as it is, so I'll be dogging a trench for a new underground service here soon.

Probably should sell off my thunderbolt. I don't use it much anyway, but it was my first machine.

Ryan

I would be cautious about second guessing the published fusing specs... this a machine capable of 470 amps at full output

... @ 230 VAC they specify a 175amp fuse

See "TABLE 3-1" page 6 (Page 14 of the PDF)

https://www.millerwelds.com/files/ow...s/O340_MIL.pdf

You can always fuse it for less with the understanding that it will be used at reduced output... a pretty common practice...

[ryanjones2150]

Well, hopefully this one won't trip the breaker when I mash the foot pedal. This will be my catalyst to improve the electrical service to the shop. I'm just squeeking by as it is, so I'll be dogging a trench for a new underground service here soon.

Probably should sell off my thunderbolt. I don't use it much anyway, but it was my first machine.

[H80N]

Outside of the issue youre having with yours, how do you like that airco 3a?

The reason I ask is because I just got my grubby mitts on one on the cheap. Just a 6 hour drive, round trip, to pick it up.

Shop kept, taken out of service 3 years ago because the shop no longer had the need for tig. Guy still has the manual for it too.

Opinions please?

Ryan

make sure you have something hefty ready to unload it

it is an 870lb lump...

FWIW... the 330 was a great machine in it's day.... just be aware that it is Pre AC Balance adjustment....it has 50-50 balance only

https://www.millerwelds.com/files/owners-manuals/O340_MIL.pdf

[Sberry]

I think its a 100 A service machine with a modern breaker..

[ryanjones2150]

Outside of the issue youre having with yours, how do you like that airco 3a?

The reason I ask is because I just got my grubby mitts on one on the cheap. Just a 6 hour drive, round trip, to pick it up.

Shop kept, taken out of service 3 years ago because the shop no longer had the need for tig. Guy still has the manual for it too.

Opinions please?

[Sberry]

I agree, shorted internal part.

[H80N]

Ah, maxed out the unit inputs 104 , sooooo, you'd burn the house down with a 175 breaker. Never the less, you have a failed diode I'd guess. That's the only thing that would blow the breaker immediately

I'll defer to Cruizer on this one...

[cruizer]

Ah, maxed out the unit inputs 104 , sooooo, you'd burn the house down with a 175 breaker. Never the less, you have a failed diode I'd guess. That's the only thing that would blow the breaker immediately

[Burnt hands]

HPM,

Sounds like the circuit breaker trips as soon as the main contactor pulls in.
If the fan runs when you power it up and then trips when you push the foot pedal,
my suggestion would be to check the primary power connections at the main terminal block.

There may be a short which is tripping your breaker.

I have an old Airco Heliweld IV unit which is very similar and I run it on a 75 amps at 220 volts with no problems.

[H80N]

nothing else on that circuit

Your 100amp breaker is undersized/marginal @ 230 VAC they specify a 175amp fuse

See "TABLE 3-1" page 6 (Page 14 of the PDF)

https://www.millerwelds.com/files/owners-manuals/O340_MIL.pdf

[HPM]

nothing else on that circuit

[H80N]

Have a older AIRCO/MILLER 300 AMP. AC/DC HELIWELD model 3A/DDR-224HPA/BD. Periodically, as soon as I activate the foot pedal switch the 100 amp
breaker trips.Have bypassed the switch to see if problem goes away,does not. Any ideas?

What if anything shares that circuit..?? what else is turned on..at the same time??

If I am not mistaken.. that is an orange Miller 330A/BP... and is a Magnetic Amplifier controlled machine that draws a LOT of inrush current at start....

https://www.millerwelds.com/files/ow...s/O340_MIL.pdf

[HPM]

Have a older AIRCO/MILLER 300 AMP. AC/DC HELIWELD model 3A/DDR-224HPA/BD. Periodically, as soon as I activate the foot pedal switch the 100 amp
breaker trips.Have bypassed the switch to see if problem goes away,does not. Any ideas?