Author Topic: Question for an electrician (Read 450 times)

clerick · « **on:** October 05, 2007, 10:36:09 AM »

I have a breaker issue. When i'm running high load items together the main breaker is popping NOT the local circuit that the loads are attached to. I'm thinking the main breaker switch is dying... any thoughts?

Irwink! · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2007, 10:40:25 AM »

Just as likely that the branch circuit breaker serving the actual load is tired and not faulting open in an overcurrent condition. It's pretty common. Of course the main could be soft too. Impossible to diagnose in a forum. Call an electrician.

clerick · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2007, 10:46:31 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Irwink!
Just as likely that the branch circuit breaker serving the actual load is tired and not faulting open in an overcurrent condition. It's pretty common. Of course the main could be soft too. Impossible to diagnose in a forum. Call an electrician.

I was hoping to avoid that, budget is VERY thin these days. I was suspecting the main breaker since it doesn't seem to matter which branch is getting loaded. Microwave, A/C, hair dryer, dehumidifier. All in different places in the house, no specific combination, just seems to be items that have a high initial draw, instead of the lights dimming a bit the breaker goes.

FBBone · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2007, 10:53:51 AM »

check your PMs

LTARokit · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2007, 11:00:41 AM »

Too many unknowns to say Clerick. It could be the main is doing it's job, that your in an overload situation. What's the max amp rating on main? When it trips does it completely trip out, or does just part of the house go dead?

You may have to bring a qualified person to conduct load calculations, in order to determine if there is an overload of the main, or if you have an unbalanced panel. On the flip side of that coin, it could be as simple as a weak main.

clerick · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2007, 11:09:43 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by LTARokit
Too many unknowns to say Clerick. It could be the main is doing it's job, that your in an overload situation. What's the max amp rating on main? When it trips does it completely trip out, or does just part of the house go dead?

You may have to bring a qualified person to conduct load calculations, in order to determine if there is an overload of the main, or if you have an unbalanced panel. On the flip side of that coin, it could be as simple as a weak main.

I double checked and found that its 250 amp service, not 300 like i had mentioned to someone earlier.

When it trips it ALL goes. sometimes it only take a hair dryer to pop it, maybe the microwave or the vacuum. No rhyme or reason.

One other note is that the panel is stock, this problem started this year and the house is 20 years old +/-.

Shamus · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2007, 11:19:56 AM »

I would buy a new main, pull the meter and replace the main, simple and inexpensive to do.

Make sure you dont have an aluminum drop line, if you do have a pro replace it

shamus

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2007, 11:39:55 AM »

Got a penny? A full copper one, not a copper plated zinc one...

Irwink! · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2007, 01:18:03 PM »

REPEAT: CALL AN ELECTRICIAN! I was first licensed as a jouneyman 32 years ago. I won't offer any further advice other than to call a licensed electrician. An internet forum is no place to get do-it-yourself advice for electrical work. Do it yourself electrical work is only recommended for electricians and fools with a death wish.

Hedworx · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2007, 02:32:02 PM »

Your main could be tripping because there is a bad or loose connection and it is causing it to over heat. The main will trip because of overloading and also overheating. It could be a bad breaker connection or bad bus bar connection. I believe the only way to check for it overheating is to check it hot. I understand about the budget being thin, but as Irwink recommended, I would call an electrician. Since no one is actually there to access the problem, there is too much guessing to risk your life over.

FYI, I am also guessing. I am not an electrician.

Shamus · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2007, 02:46:56 PM »

I want to change my previous reply to "get an electrician"

shamus

clerick · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2007, 03:37:45 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Shamus
I want to change my previous reply to "get an electrician"

shamus

Don't be such a lemming Shamus, stand up for your posts!

Shamus · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2007, 04:15:14 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by clerick
Don't be such a lemming Shamus, stand up for your posts!

Hehe clerick,

Not knowing anything about you I didn't want to see this post in the future.

Hello Aces High BBS,

My name is Mrs. clerick, You may remember a post that my husband posted a while ago where he asked an electrical question.

A fellow by the name of shamus gave him advice to pull the meter and replace the main.

What shamus didn't know was that there was a secondary feed and that clerick did not own a multi-meter and therefore was fried, I am in the process of trying to identify shamus right now so I can send people to kill him.

Its all about self preservation bud

shamus

Fishu · « **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2007, 04:15:53 PM »

If you're going to do anything else on your own than call an electrician, please make sure you got a video recording it up on youtube. We'd like to nominate a new darwin candidate.

Wolfala · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2007, 04:20:07 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Fishu
If you're going to do anything else on your own than call an electrician, please make sure you got a video recording it up on youtube. We'd like to nominate a new darwin candidate.

Isn't anything we post to the OC by nature a Darwin Award candidate?