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This is a condition that should not happen under normal conditions. In North America the smallest home breaker is 15 amps. If a fault current is higher that the breaker setting the breaker will trip.
The only way the breaker could have tripped is, if when screwing the bulb out, the feed wires feeding the light socket turned and shorted out against each other.
Turn the power feed off and thoroughly check the feed wires. Make sure that the insulation is good all the way to the terminal points.
As a side note, if the circuit that the fixture is connected to is fully loaded to say 13 amps it would only take an additional 2 amps to trip the breaker. If the bulb flashed when you started turning the bulb out, this is most likely what happened.
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Why would a lamp cause a breaker to kick could it be because I used a regular bulb in a three way lamp?
Yes, using an incompatible bulb in a lamp can cause the breaker to trip. Different bulbs have different power requirements, and an incompatible bulb could draw too much power, causing the breaker to kick in order to prevent overheating or fire hazard. It's recommended to always use the proper type and wattage of bulb recommended by the manufacturer.
If a shunt trip occurs does breaker go to off or trip position?
When a shunt trip occurs, the breaker typically goes to the "trip" position, which indicates that the circuit has been interrupted and the contacts are open. This allows for quick identification of the issue and isolation of the circuit for safety reasons.
When a shunt trip breaker trips does the voltage remain on?
No, when a shunt trip breaker trips, it opens the circuit and disconnects the voltage supply to the protected circuit.
Does a shunt trip breaker work from a dry set of contacts?
Yes, but you need a power source, for the shunt trip coil voltage, in the circuit.
A GFCI device in a breaker is intended to?
A GFCI device in a breaker is intended to trip the breaker open when a ground fault is sensed in the circuit that the breaker is protecting.
Why did the breaker blow when I changed the light bulb?
Breakers don't blow, they trip. Do you mean a fuse? If you are talking about a breaker, you can reset it. Wether it was a breaker tripping or a fuse blowing from installing a new bulb, if the light switch was on when you installed the bulb you got an initial surge from the immediate completion of the circuit. The only thing to be cautious about is a possible fault in the light bulb base. See if the new bulb lasts or if it burns out quickly, you might have a short in the light fixture which needs to be addressed because it could be a fire/electrical hazard. -- If the bulb is a "bayonet cap" bulb there are two contact pads on the base of the bulb and two barbs protruding from the sides. When the bulb is first inserted, before twisting to lock, the bulb contact pads can bridge the live contacts on some light fittings and short the circuit, causing the breaker to trip. Always turn the light switch off when changing a bulb (usually the up position). If you are not sure where "off" is then turn the light circuit off at the breaker and use a table lamp for ambient light.
Why would a lamp cause a breaker to kick could it be because I used a regular bulb in a three way lamp?
Yes, using an incompatible bulb in a lamp can cause the breaker to trip. Different bulbs have different power requirements, and an incompatible bulb could draw too much power, causing the breaker to kick in order to prevent overheating or fire hazard. It's recommended to always use the proper type and wattage of bulb recommended by the manufacturer.
How do you detect if a shunt trip breaker is malfunctioning?
The way to detect if a shunt trip breaker is malfunctioning is to manually trip the breaker. The shunt is usually wired through a auxiliary relay. Make sure that before you trip the breaker that the load can be shut off without taking a production line etc. off line. Trip the auxiliary relay using a test jumper to activate the relays coil. The breaker's handle will move to mid throw and the load will disconnect from the supply power. If the breaker trips then it is working properly. If the breaker does not trip trouble shoot the circuitry that is used to trip the breaker. Usual problem is an open circuit.
Can a shunt trip breaker be tripped from to different emergency buttons?
Yes a shunt trip breaker can be activated manually.
How much does a shunt trip breaker cost?
The cost of a shunt trip breaker depends on the amperage and number of poles the circuit connected to it needs. The cost of the shunt trip over a conventional breaker is substantially more.
What are the breaker ampere trip ratings?
The ampere frame rating for a circuit breaker designates how the circuit breaker should be configured. It also states the trip unit of the amp.
What do you do if the power is out in just about all the rooms in the house but the circuit breaker didn't trip?
You need to call the power company to come out and see what is wrong. Sometimes there is a problem with their equipment, burnt out transformer, etc.
Does the power supplied to trip shunt trip breaker have to be applied momentarily or can it latch?
A shunt-trip breaker trips when voltage is applied to the coil. It does not self-reset when the voltage is removed, the breaker must be reset manually. The trip voltage can either latch or be applied momentarily, but must be de-energized before the breaker will reset.
If a shunt trip occurs does breaker go to off or trip position?
When a shunt trip occurs, the breaker typically goes to the "trip" position, which indicates that the circuit has been interrupted and the contacts are open. This allows for quick identification of the issue and isolation of the circuit for safety reasons.
Once a light bulb burns out anywhere in my house all the other light bulbs go out and wont turn back on?
Try to check your breaker.the breaker trip off.
Can a thermostat cause a breaker to trip?
If it is a line thermostat and it is connected across the line instead of in series with the load then yes it will trip the breaker.
When a shunt trip breaker trips does the voltage remain on?
No, when a shunt trip breaker trips, it opens the circuit and disconnects the voltage supply to the protected circuit.
