I have a Crouse Hinds 2 pole 30 amp breaker. It will trip, but the room it's to will still have power to it. Why?
By Lonnie B.
I recently purchased a house, and it is clear that the previous owner had not always done things correctly. My present concern is that there seems to be 14 gauge wire running off a 20 AMP breaker. I believe this is a code violation, and more importantly a fire risk. I would rather not open up the walls to replace the wire. Assuming the circuit would be OK on a 15, can I just have the breaker replaced? Is that an adequate solution?
Yes, that is a code violation and a fire risk.
And it invalidates the insurance.
To fix the problem,
1) get a breaker from the same brand and series but with a 15 Amp rating
If you forget point 4), there will be scary sounding arcing and sparking that could startle you into falling off your ladder or chair.
Have FUN!
DearWebby
www.webby.com/
I plugged in a vacuum cleaner in the living room and had other things going (TV, etc.) and blew the circuit. I unplugged everything and tried to re-set the circuit breaker (switch to off then back to on position). However, the switch will not switch completely to the off or on position. I can move the switch in either direction, but not enough for it to stay there. It goes right back to the middle. Can someone tell me if there is anything else I can try, or does thia mean I have to pay to have an electrician come in and repair this? Many thanks in advance!
Dear Frazzled
Sounds like the circuit breaker has died. They are available at hardware and building supply stores.
To change a circuit breaker, turn off the main breaker on top. Then, with the largest flat screwdriver, that just fits into the slot on the screw, that attaches the wire to the breaker, loosen that screw, but don't remove it. Just loosen it and pull the wire out, but not too far away.
Then use the flat screwdriver to tilt the dead breaker back, away from the center. Then it's easy to pull it out.
With the dead breaker in hand, go to the hardware store and buy a replacement 15 (fifteen) Amp breaker. Do NOT get one with a higher rating!
Then shove that new breaker into the slot in the panel, and after making 100% sure that the main breaker is off, attach the old wire to it. Then, with the largest flat screwdriver, that just fits into the slot on the screw, tighten that screw until you hear it squeak.
Turn the main breaker on and turn the new breaker on, and everything will be fine.
You may be curious about why I harp on using a big screw driver. There are two reasons for that:
1) it is less likely to slip off and cause an injury or damage expensive parts 2) a small screwdriver will mess up the screw
before you have tightened it enough.
Have FUN!
DearWebby
www.webby.com/
I'm planning on opening a bakery in my garage so I've bought a single phase oven and a proofer. I've put a separate circuit breaker for those appliances.
So now the problem is when I switch on those two things at the same time, the power goes OFF including in the house without the breaker tripping then it automatically comes ON again in few seconds. What could be the cause? Please help because my electrician is clueless of what is happening.
It would be wise to not turn on either of those appliances until you locate the problem or you could cause serious damage to the wiring and appliances.
If none of this was done properly (no permit) you may have problems getting another electrician to look for your problem as they may not wish to sign off on a private job.
If you or your electrician would like to ask for expert help you can try asking your question on one of these forums. You will have to join the site and be able to answer questions as to how the job was done and all about your home/garage electricity before this job began.
www.avsforum.com/
forum.smarthome.com/
www.diychatroom.com/
Your oven and the proofer should EACH be wired to their own breakers of sufficient amps, (just like refrigerators, freezers, hot water heaters, if on a well- the water pump, and any other high draw item), otherwise they will continue to pop breakers. Also, make sure the wiring coming into your house to the breaker box is of high enough amperage to serve the total home...200 amp minimum.
I'm trying to figure out why breaker won't reset after overloading the circuit with space heaters. I even replaced the breaker and it sparked when I tried to reset.
I'm planning on checking plugs next to see if the wiring is damaged. Is this a good place to start?I have 250 volts of power from my meter box to my workshop breaker box but nothing is working (lights, outlets, etc.)! Someone please help me with this, I do not know!
First off, is the main breaker on? If it isn't, then none of the others have power to them. The main is a bigger one, usually centered at the top of the breaker panel. My main has a wire handle that you pull the breaker out with...make sure it is seated in the panel completely. If still no power to anything, call an electrician. Without knowing all the particulars about your panel, how your circuits are wired, what you have plugged in, etc, you need a pro to take a look at the problem. Good luck.
Electricity is just too dangerous for anyone to give you advice that is not a licensed electrician.
Or maybe I should say it is not for amateurs so please do not do anything other than unplugging everything in your workshop and turning off everything that cannot be unplugged.
You can usually check your main box to see if your circuit breaker needs to be turned off and then back on but probably just best to leave it all alone until a knowledgeable person gives you advice or you call an electrician.
There are some forums that offer help for DIY homeowners so you can ask them before you make that call to see anyone can offer advice.
You will have to join the forums before asking but these are experienced members and they will know what to ask you before going any further.
Good luck with this problem.
www.electriciantalk.com/
forums.mikeholt.com/
www.doityourself.com/
www.diychatroom.com/
I have just moved in and there is power to the meter, but not to the house. What could be the problem?
My boat's 30amp circuit breaker opens when I first plug it into shore power. I may have to reset the breaker a few times and then it works even with a 15 amp heater load.
What should I look for?I put in a new breaker box, but all my power is not right. Some of it is weak and sometimes dims and comes back.
The guy I'm buying my double wide from just hooked up a fairly new furnace. It will run for like 6 to 20 minutes, then the breaker will kick off.
The breaker does get warm. Is the breaker going bad or is there something else that he did wrong?Since you did not buy this yet, have the seller fix it. While you are at it, test all the plumbing and look for anything else that needs fixing. We did this when we bought our home.
We once had a furnace in a mobile home that reacted the same way. The problem turned out to be a loose connection at the breaker. This happens in some of the older mobile homes that were built using aluminum wiring.
My circuit box has two levers on/off and lit. What does this mean? What do I do with the circuit box when the lights in the kitchen go off?
