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Review on ⚡️ RKURCK 20A Circuit Breaker L1 Series - Thermal Overload Protector, Manual Reset, 125-250V AC/50V DC, Push Button, Thermal Circuit Breaker 20 Amp by Jerry Delic

Revainrating 2 out of 5

It does not respond to short circuits.

I installed this circuit breaker on a circuit with a 20A slow blow fuse. I didn't want to replace that fuse every time the microswitch bounces, so I installed this 10 amp manual reset switch in line with the fuse. Current flows from the main wire through the circuit breaker to the power board and the only circuitry on the board from that point goes to where the 20A fuse is located. Power is supplied from there to other parts of the device, mainly the power button next in line. The standard switch is rated for 16 amps. If a fault occurs the micro switch contacts will fuse together but the circuit breaker will not trip, the fuse will not blow and the 15A main circuit breaker saves the day by tripping instantly. The 10 amp circuit breaker doesn't open - at least it doesn't need to be reset. What's so good about that? In order for the main circuit breaker to open, the current in the line must exceed 15 amps. The circuit breaker in the unit is only allowed to draw 10 amps - main switch, power cord, 10 amp manual reset switch, 20 amp fuse, mains switches are wired in series and must be opened in the following order: 1) switch 10 amp manual reset switch, 2 ) main switch, 3) slow blow fuse, 4) power switch contacts together. Ideally, if all of these protections are working properly, the current through the breaker contacts shouldn't exceed much more than 15 amps before the 10 amp breaker opens, which is plenty since the situation is a full short where only the fuse is hot will provide flow resistance. Instead, the switch makes contact with the fuse, the 10A manual reset circuit breaker stays closed and draws current as long as the fuse is still good. Only the house wiring is protected as a 15 amp circuit breaker actually operates at 15 amps even under short circuit conditions. So what happens - is it a 3-50 amp breaker or a 10 amp breaker? It appears to be a 50 amp circuit breaker that could fail if you push 3 amps through long enough to get hot. What's so good about that? How can you call this item a 10 amp manual reset circuit breaker when a full short circuit won't open it? I do not recommend it to anyone as a circuit protector.

Pros
  • Compact Single Pole Reset Thermal Switches
Cons
  • boring packaging