Hi all I went to Voltex to buy AC breakers and being an electric wholesaler,  inquired whether or not the had DC breakers. The sales person told me I could use the breakers for both AC/DC????? I am technically  illiterate but understand the difference between the flow of the two currents so this did not make sense unless I got it wrong so I did not buy the DC breaker. Anyone know about this?

1 hour ago, Inverter 101 said:

The sales person told me I could use the breakers for both AC/DC?????

The Gewiss breakers they sell sometimes have a DC rating, but only 50V. So you can use them for DC, but it is usually not the most cost effective way. Better to get Noark breakers. Or ABB if you can afford them 🙂

(Man I love ABB... but my wallet doesn't).

18 hours ago, Inverter 101 said:

Hi all I went to Voltex to buy AC breakers and being an electric wholesaler,  inquired whether or not the had DC breakers. The sales person told me I could use the breakers for both AC/DC????? I am technically  illiterate but understand the difference between the flow of the two currents so this did not make sense unless I got it wrong so I did not buy the DC breaker. Anyone know about this?

Don't do it. Theoretically you can use a AC rated circuit breaker with DC current that's (I think) 4 times lower. BUT, DC current is very dangerous. Welding machines all work on DC. If that breaker fails, it will arc and weld together and cause a fire. 

Rather get DC rated circuit breakers. And get something that is rated  at least 25% higher than your intended use. 

Thanks for the advice, so difficult finding these. I have been to caravan and 4x4 shops but they have the cheap Chinese inline stuff.

1 minute ago, Inverter 101 said:

Thanks for the advice, so difficult finding these. I have been to caravan and 4x4 shops but they have the cheap Chinese inline stuff.

What size / rating do you want? And where are you based?

Thanks Plonkster but where are they sold in Cape Town. I am in Durbanville.

I prefer to use fuses on DC. If your installation is designed and installed correctly they should never trip.

 

Although I have installed a number of DC breakers (on clients request) as its much easier to reset a breaker than replacing a fuse, the cost of this luxury can easily run up to R750

2 hours ago, Inverter 101 said:

Thanks Plonkster but where are they sold in Cape Town. I am in Durbanville.

You can get all sorts of PV stuff from Rubicon on Montague Gardens.

 

2 hours ago, Inverter 101 said:

Thanks Plonkster but where are they sold in Cape Town. I am in Durbanville.

If you are lazy like me and just want them to deliver it to your doorstep:

https://www.sonopsolar.co.za/product-category/solar-products/accessories/breakers/dc-breakers/

 

4 hours ago, Inverter 101 said:

Thanks Plonkster but where are they sold in Cape Town. I am in Durbanville.

I got oversupply of these ... if that is what you are looking for? And I'm close to Tygervalley.

 

And a few fuse holders - with a LED in - with some 20amp fuses.

Thanks guys your input suggestions are appreciated. Elbow I have been to Rubicon........sorted thanks

The Terrible Triplett, may I please contact you concerning your surplus breakers after determining my need

47 minutes ago, Inverter 101 said:

The Terrible Triplett, may I please contact you concerning your surplus breakers after determining my need

Yes, by all means! I have what is posted above.

Had an idea so I bought in bulk ... then started driving trucks as a hobby and the idea left the building. 🙂 

On 2019/03/27 at 7:55 PM, plonkster said:

The Gewiss breakers they sell sometimes have a DC rating, but only 50V.

I think you'll find the recent Gewiss range is 440Vac and 220Vdc rated.