industrial washing machine

[ADAM Mcoll]

Hi Guys,

we are a charity and we have have been donated a washing machine it is a industrial washer.

In our premises we have both 3 phase and single phase.

the machine can work on both phases, with some adjustments.

this machine has been converted to single phase. was working perfectly when it was given to us on single.

we got a electrician in he wired a 32 amp single phase socket and plug on and has wired the machine. the only problem is it keeps on tripping after 30 seconds. :-( the breaker on consumer unit is 32amp type c.

even electrician is stumped. any one got any ideas?

someone from the building next to us said it might be the breaker type?

 

[Wilko]

Hi Adam and Welcome to the Forum .
Do tell us about your charity...
Re the washer - it may have been ok but transport may have given it an injury, that's the first thing I'd have a look into. Has the motor seized or been locked for transport?
For the MCB to trip after 30 seconds it should mean its handling an overload current, in this case likely 80A or more, making me think to look at the motor.

 

[littlespark]

Do you have a make and model number of the machine and possibly a photograph of the rating plate. (will be on the back near the flex, or inside the door)

 

[buzzlightyear]

the only way to see if theirs a fault is have it pat tested .

 

[littlespark]

You could be spot on with the transport locks, @Wilko … Im not sure if industrial machines have the same thing, but domestic have those long bolts screw in when new.

 

[Deleted member 105166]

Industrial washing machine? Where abouts in the UK are you? A couple of years back there was this guy called Jim from Leicester that would pop around and sort you out...

 

[ADAM Mcoll]

thanks guys for all your replies, the machine does not have a transport lock.

i have attached name plate. it says 3 phase, but 100% converted as it was used by previous owner since new on single phase.

does the type of MCB make a type a, type b and type c. our mcb is type C

TonyMitchell: we are in manchester

 

[ADAM Mcoll]

i forgot to mention. we are using a extension with 32amp blue industrial plug, the wires are 3 core 6mm the distance is 18 metres

 

[Sintra]

19.5 kW at 230V is just below 85A. I would suggest that is the cause of the tripping.

 

[telectrix]

just seen post #8. soon a s heater kicks in MCB trips. sintra hits nail on head. convert it back to 3 phase on a 32A 3 phase MCB. job done. i'll be happy to sort it for you Manchester is on my patch, as long as you're not too far to the east side..

 

[Wilko]

Hi - agree with all above - even the 30 seconds trip time was suggesting 80A to 100A. If you've got 3 phase, Tel's your man .

And perhaps check in with Kind Donor how it was connected originally?

 

[telectrix]

there's no way anyone but a plumber would connect that on single phase.... or maybe a plasterer.

 

[Wilko]

Just occurred the conversion might've been to dis 2 phases of the heater element, leaving a 6kW load. Will the motor be happy with single phase?

 

[telectrix]

and another OP disappears into the sunset.

 

[Deleted member 105166]

and another OP disappears into the sunset.

...along with my Keith Vaz joke (post #6) which I thought someone would have picked up on...

 

[telectrix]

who is keith vaz. never heard of him.