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Frequently Asked Questions

For full support, step-by-step guides to set-up, maintain and get value from your CBI Astute smart home automation device, visit our Astute Support Hub.

Circuit Breaker

Are reverse connections allowed on CBI circuit breakers?

Answer

Unless otherwise stated yes, CBI circuit breakers are reverse feedable.  Rule of thumb, if the circuit breaker has indications for line and load at top and bottom, it is not reverse feedable.

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Can I use 3 kA circuit breakers in a cascaded system?

Answer

3 kA products have not been tested in any current cascade systems, so no it can not be used.

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What does tested combination in a cascading system mean?

Answer

It is vital to ensure that the system you are using has been tested with the products been used.  As soon as a product is changed in the system it is no longer cascaded, and should not be used.  When cascading always refer back to the Manufacturer to ensure that the system you use is allowed.

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Can any 6 kA breaker be used downstream in a cascaded system?

Answer

Only tested and approved 6 kA circuit breakers can be used.

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Why would Curve 1 circuit breakers trip before Curve 2 circuit breakers?

Answer

Curve 1 should always trip last in a discriminated system as it has a slower tripping curve than a curve 2.  Curve 1 is the orange toggle breaker that is a slow tripping circuit breaker, has a 10-20x inrush current, whereas Curve 2 has a 5-10x inrush current rating.

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Earth Leakage

On 3 phase earth leakage devices is the 30 mA protection per phase or accumulative?

Answer

The earth leakage will sense over the 3 phases as a combined Leakage sensitivity.

More information: Earth Leakage Products

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Why does CBI earth leakage devices (RCDs) trip at 21 mA and not at 30 mA?

Answer

The wiring standard indicates that earth leakage units should trip strictly between 15 - 30 mA. As a quality manufacturer, CBI maintains a stringent safety margin from these limits i.e. it will be a few milliamps less than 30 mA.  Under normal circumstances, a leakage current is already present in most systems. Therefore when testing an installation and it trips well below 30 mA on your tester, that indicates that there could already be some leakage in the system.

More information: Earth Leakage Products

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Switch Disconnector

What is the difference between a switch disconnector and isolator?

Answer

An isolator and a switch disconnnector is exactly the same thing and has the same functionality, this is simply a case of two different names for the same product.

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Isolator

What is the difference between a switch disconnector and isolator?

Answer

An isolator and a switch disconnnector is exactly the same thing and has the same functionality, this is simply a case of two different names for the same product.

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Cascading System

Can any 6 kA breaker be used downstream in a cascaded system?

Answer

Only tested and approved 6 kA circuit breakers can be used.

Product Reference: 

What does tested combination in a cascading system mean?

Answer

It is vital to ensure that the system you are using has been tested with the products been used.  As soon as a product is changed in the system it is no longer cascaded, and should not be used.  When cascading always refer back to the Manufacturer to ensure that the system you use is allowed.

Product Reference: 

Can I use 3 kA circuit breakers in a cascaded system?

Answer

3 kA products have not been tested in any current cascade systems, so no it can not be used.

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Surge Protection

Is surge protection devices only for lightning protection?

Answer

No, surge protection devices are used for surges in the system as well due to load shedding.  Factories that cause spikes in voltage, can also cause damaging surges in the system, which can cause damage to electronic equipment.

More information: Surge Protection

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How would I know when to use a 1 pole SPD or 2 pole SPD?

Answer

It is always advisable to use a 2-pole unit, as surges can come through both Live And Neutral lines.

More information: Surge Protection

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Curves

Why would Curve 1 circuit breakers trip before Curve 2 circuit breakers?

Answer

Curve 1 should always trip last in a discriminated system as it has a slower tripping curve than a curve 2.  Curve 1 is the orange toggle breaker that is a slow tripping circuit breaker, has a 10-20x inrush current, whereas Curve 2 has a 5-10x inrush current rating.

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Astute Smart Controller (ASC)

Do the Astute Smart Devices work without internet connection?

Answer

No, Astute Smart Devices will not work properly without an internet connection.  The device stores all schedules in the cloud, so it needs the internet to set and run the schedules.  It can only be switched manually without internet connectivity.

More information: Astute Range

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What does a solid red light indicate?

Answer

This means the unit is powered on, but is not paired to a smartphone or tablet and is not connected to the internet.

More information: Astute Range

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My Internet is down, how do I switch the device?

Answer

You can manually operate the Astute Device by pressing the Power Button (large square button) to switch it.  A red flashing light will indicate that the device is manually switched "ON".  The blue light will be off due to not having an internet connection.

More information: Astute Range

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My device stopped responding?

Answer

Firstly check the internet connection of the mobile phone and router.  Try rebooting the ASC by pressing the Reboot Button for 1 second (small round one, below the Power Button), then try again after a few seconds.  For the ASI / ASP switch the Isolation Switch OFF, wait for 1 second and switch it ON again to reboot.

If the device is still unresponsive, remove from it from the App and re-pair the device.

More information: Astute Range

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Will the device switch on after load shedding?

Answer

The Astute Smart Device will automatically connect as soon an internet and Wi-Fi connection is established, but will not go back into an “ON” state until the start of the next "ON" schedule.  A smart automation can be set within the app to achieve a desired state after a power outage.

Alternatively, if available, use the return-to-state setting.  This handy feature allows you to set the state the device should be after a power failure. You can choose one of three options:

  1. Return to the state the device was in before the power failure
  2. Always switch on after a power failure
  3. Always switch off after a power failure

More information: Astute Range

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