298 | Section 8 Electrical System ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------- Monarch SE 2004
Display Panel: The display panel connects to the distribution panel located in
the bedroom. Six power status LED’s indicate power is applied to those loads. These
LED’s are on when the power is applied. The load meter has a two digit display to
indicate the amount of current actually being drawn by all the appliances in the
motorhome.
Four service type LED’s indicate the source for 120/240 Volt AC power. Three of
these sources are automatically detected and indicated by the EMS, namely: Gen Set
Service, 50 Amp Service and 30 Amp Service.
The 20 Amp service mode is not automatically detected and the operator
must manually select the 20 Amp mode when 20 Amp service is available. The
service select button allows the current threshold to be set to either 30 Amps or
20 Amps, to match the incoming service.
Breaker current ratings are current set points in which the breaker is designed
to operate. The internal configuration of the circuit breaker is designed to trip
when excess current is drawn through the breaker. The breaker will heat up from
the excess current causing the breaker to trip. The trip action of the circuit breaker
can occur within milliseconds due to the speed at which electricity can travel.
Breakers are designed to operate at a continuous load of 80% of the breaker's rated
capacity. For example: A breaker with a 20 Amp rating will operate a continuous
16 Amp load. This design leaves a small amount of working capacity within the
breaker. When an inductive load is applied, such as when an electric motor turns
on, the motor starts to spin and current consumption may momentarily exceed the
rated capacity of the breaker.
As the electric motor comes up to operating speed, the electric motor's current
consumption will fall. The AC current load then falls back into the breaker's rated
80% set point. This electric principle should be kept in mind when using anything
other than 50 Amp shore service and using appliances with electric motors, such as
air conditioners. When using outlets, care should be considered when applying
loads such as electric motors, heaters, coffee makers, toasters, hair dryers or other
large current consuming loads. The current rating is usually stated on most electrical
items. The current rating will either be rated in amps or watts. Current ratings stated
on electrical items will change slightly with voltage fluctuations. As voltage
increases current consumption decreases. As voltage decreases current consumption
increases. This may explain why in some instances items operated at borderline
voltage to current tolerances may seem fine in one location but problematic in
another.
NOTE: To calculate watts to amps simply divide the watt figure by the
voltage of which the item operates from. For example: The electrical
item is rated at 1370 watts. Divide that by the operating voltage of 115
Volts which equals 11.913 Amps. Use this formula to calculate the
amount of load to the available power supply.
Circuit Breakers
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