Circuit breaker for the workbench.

Thread Starter

hp1729

Joined Nov 23, 2015
2,304
Yes, a GFI system is right for protecting you, but how about that assembly you are repairing? If that circuit breaker is set at 10 Amps at 120 Volts you can create 1,200 watts of smoke and flame before it kicks in.
One solution is a variable and isolated AC power source with adjustable current limiting. Nice to have but expensive.
Another choice is a power supply with a current limiting set just above the expected value. You can design it with current limiting so that some power is still applied to the repair item for troubleshooting purposes. Or you can build it as an electronic circuit breaker that shuts off power.
 

Thread Starter

hp1729

Joined Nov 23, 2015
2,304
Are you talking about protecting a DC circuit/power supply, or a AC line-operated device and you?
Protecting what you are working on at the bench. Assuming repairs are being made on some assembly or you are building something. If it is plugged into a wall outlet you can draw a lot of current before a defective assembly will shut down and a breaker pops.
 
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