0
A circuit breaker can go bad from being tripped too many times. Many people don't understand that the tripping of a circuit breaker indicates a problem that needs to be corrected. They usually just reset the circuit breaker, leading to a very common second (or third, or fourth) trip. Circuit breakers tripping are for the prevention of fire due to excessive heat in the circuit. They're not supposed to be tripped repeatedly. This can wear the breaker out. Believe it or not, I've also seen circuit breakers fail to re-energize after being turned off. I speculate this was actually caused by the breaker never having been cycled (it was a main breaker), and the time elapsed since it was installed. Electrical equipment doesn't last forever. It's the same as anything else.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is the margin of safety with selecting circuit breakers?
The NEC requires that if the intended rating of a circuit corresponds to a standard size breaker then that size breaker must be used. In most instances, "rating of a circuit" means the intended connected load plus 25%. If the intended rating of a circuit does not correspond to a standard size breaker, you can go up to the next standard size without any other adjustments. In most circumstances, besides what I've already stated, a 14 gauge copper wire cannot be connected to a breaker larger than 15 amps, 12 gauge copper to a 20 amp breaker, and 10 gauge copper to a 30 amp breaker.
Can a circuit breaker go bad just by turning it off and on?
A breaker is a mechanical device and certainly would wear some with manual on and off usage, but it should be minimal and should not cause a problem unless it were defective. There are many commercial applications where the breaker is used for daily on/off use for lighting and other functions. The breaker can fail by having a mechanical part malfunction or perhaps arcing between contacts that would corrode or fuse mechanical contacts.
What happens if there is a short circuit in a parallel circuit?
Incorrect answerThen only one of the lights go out.Correct answerActually ALL the lamps will go out if a short circuit occurs across any branch of a parallel circuit because, if the wiring has been done correctly, a circuit breaker will trip or a fuse will blow to cut off the supply of current to all the lights.The loss of a single lamp indicates a break, not a short circuit.
Is it safe to go from 12-3 wire to a 14-2 wire in the middle of a switch leg?
No. The wire size is dependent on the circuit protection. If the circuit uses a 20 amp breaker you need to run 12 AWG wire on all devices connected to that circuit.
What function does a circuit serve in your home?
it runs electricity to different rooms and regulates it. Has a max capacity and when reaches it it will trip or break. then you go to the Breaker and switch it back.
Can circuit breaker be bad even getting little electricity?
Anything can go bad. A breaker is a mechanical device and can fail for many different reasons.
1997 Lincoln town car lights flicker you replaced light switch lights still still go out must be a relay or circuit breaker where is the circuit breaker located?
Bad ground.
How do I repair a Passenger side window that won't operate and the motor is still good on a 97 maxima?
if the the motor is good you need to check the circuit breaker because the circuit breaker might be the problem. window doesnt go bad my dude the motor goes bad check it again
Could a bad circuit breaker light switch or plug outlet cause the bedroom light to flicker when turned on?
Yes a bad circuit breaker and a bad light switch can cause a light to flicker when its turned on. It could also be caused by loose wiring going or coming from that paticular circuit. it also could be something in the fixture itself causing. Checking for loose connections is your cheapest and first route to go.
Why do the headlights of a 1991 ford explorer go off and on when turned on?
The headlight circuit is protected by a self-resetting circuit breaker. Something in the circuit is drawing too much power and the breaker is cycling on and off.
Do you have a 15 0r 20 amp circuit?
Go to your distribution panel and shut off the breaker that you think is the circuit in question. If the circuit becomes de-energized then the breaker you just turned off feeds that circuit. Look on the handle of the breaker and the number you see is the amperage of that circuit. <<>> Determination of a 15 or 20 Ampere circuit is normally indicated by a combination of a 20A breaker and a 20A dedicated outlet. A 15A circuit normally has multiple outlets; not typical in a 20A circuit.
Is fuse a part of a circuit?
When there is a fuse, yes it is part of a circuit. The fuse is a cheap, replaceable circuit breaker to avoid damage to the circuit components.
What is the standard to select circuit breaker?
Add up your amps to calculate your breaker size. Add up your loads (amps), divide by 0.8, and choose that size breaker. If that number does not correspond to a standard size breaker you go to the next higher standard size breaker.
Do arc fault breakers go bad?
Generally no. The purpose of an arc fault breaker is to kill a circuit if water or any other type of element were to intrude the branch to prevent an arc fault blast. They can go bad over wear and tear over time and if not used properly or if the neutral becomes to short to reach the neutral bar or if an arc fault blast occurs the breaker will go bad ofcourse.
Wiper fuse location on 1977 dodge power wagon?
The head lights and windshield wipers are protected by a circuit breaker (no fuse required) Sorry I have know idea where the circuit breaker is, never looked for it. It might be that you're wiper motor is bad. I have never herd of a breaker going bad. To test it run a hot right from you're battery to the input on the wiper motor. It maybe the switch I have had them go bad. You can't just put a toggle switch on it because it is a two speed motor it will not work.
My circuit breaker keeps popping I have replace the 2-prong outlet with a 4-outlets and why is it still popping?
A breaker trips when there is too much current. If you unplug everything on the circuit and the breaker still trips then you have a wiring problem or a bad breaker. From your description it is not possible to be certain if the problem started when you installed new outlet or previously. You have to describe your problem in better detail to get a good answer. When you have a circuit that trips the corresponding breaker, you need to go through each outlet on the circuit and rule it out as the problem. This can be done by pulling each outlet, from the wall and systematically remove wires from outlets while power is off and determining when problem goes away.
What one is better fuse or circuit breaker?
IMO it would be because the circuit breaker has the possibility of going bad and not working (allowing a short to move through the device), but fuses blow (cause a break) no matter what if shorted.
