Re: Strange Electrical Problem
- From: Ajax <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2006 08:35:50 -0500
On Tue, 31 Jan 2006 07:16:02 -0500, "Bob" <bobb25@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>In many breakers like Cutler-Hammer, they trip all the way to the off
>position.
This is a GE main panel.
>"RBM" <rbm2(remove this)@optonline.net> wrote in message
>news:WlIDf.1912$MW3.610@xxxxxxxxxxx
>> Were the handles of the breakers found in the "tripped" position or the
>> "off" position, and what brand circuit breaker?
>>
>>
>> "Ajax" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:c1ntt11vdf8ntobbgp8aehsg7l3iak0pb3@xxxxxxxxxx
>> >
>> > When one of our neighbors came back from vacation they found that the
>> > 20 amp single pole breaker for their hot tub and the 20 amp single
>> > pole breaker for their refrigerator in their detached garage had
>> > tripped. Neither GFCI type outlet served by these breakers had
>> > tripped.
>> >
>> > The Garage circuit was about 12 years old and the hot tub circuit was
>> > only weeks old. The two breakers are not in close proximity to each
>> > other in the main panel.
>> >
>> > They reset both breakers and they have not tripped since [two weeks].
>> >
>> > Today the sixty amp double pole breaker that is feeding a recently
>> > built master bedroom / bathroom tripped. This breaker feeds from the
>> > main panel to a subpanel that houses the breakers for the addition.
>> >
>> > The subpanel includes two 20 amp single pole Arc-Fault breakers for
>> > the bedroom, two twenty amp single pole breakers that feed directly to
>> > two GFCI type outlets in the bathroom and two unassigned breakers.
>> >
>> > At the time the 60 amp breaker tripped only the two Arc-Fault
>> > breakers were turned on. Neither of the Arc-Fault breakers tripped.
>> > Therefore it seems unlikely that an event from the new room caused the
>> > 60 amp breaker to trip.
>> >
>> > At the time of the trip, the total load on the 60 amp breaker, via
>> > the new addition subpanel, was comprised of one digital one analog
>> > alarm clock.
>> >
>> > Prior to and after the 60 amp breaker tripped the branch circuits
>> > served by the new addition subpanel were tested with an Ideal #61-155
>> > circuit analyzer.
>> >
>> > This device tests for a host of electrical problems, including: True
>> > RMS, voltage drop, line voltage, peak voltage, frequency, ground
>> > impedance, hot and neutral impedance, ground-neutral voltage, false
>> > and false grounds. Everything tested perfectly.
>> >
>> > It also successfully tested the GFCI outlet devices and the Arc-
>> > Fault breakers.
>> >
>> > This test runs the entire circuit, including the conductors used
>> > between the main panel and the new subpanel and the new 60 amp double
>> > pole breaker in the main panel that supplies the new subpanel.
>> >
>> > Assuming that any trouble in the new addition would have tripped the
>> > Arc-Fault breakers, we guessed that the problem must lie somewhere
>> > between the new subpanel and the existing main panel. This would
>> > reduce the scope of the search to the conductor, the new 60 amp double
>> > pole breaker and the main panel.
>> >
>> > The conductor is brand new copper UF cable. The Ideal meter test
>> > showed no indication of high impedance. An inspection of the main
>> > panel showed no indication of a short circuit, arcing or overheating.
>> >
>> > When the 60 amp double pole breaker was turned back on it stayed on
>> > and was cold to the touch. When checked thirty minutes later with an
>> > infrared thermometer, the temperature was normal, as were the rest of
>> > the breakers.
>> >
>> > It should be noted that the 60 amp circuit that supplies power to the
>> > subpanel for the room addition had been turned on over six weeks ago
>> > and had operated flawlessly until this afternoon.
>> >
>> > Any one of the single pole breakers tripping would just be an anomaly
>> > that would not need to be answered unless the problem recurred. But
>> > the 60 amp double pole breaker tripping under no load has caused my
>> > friends some concern.
>> >
>> > Can anyone think of a circumstance that would cause the problems that
>> > they experienced?
>> >
>> > TIA
>>
>>
>
.
- References:
- Strange Electrical Problem
- From: Ajax
- Re: Strange Electrical Problem
- From: RBM
- Re: Strange Electrical Problem
- From: Bob
- Strange Electrical Problem
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