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Do circuit breakers wear out from old age?
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Miraclewhip
Feb 13, 2002, 8:33:53 PM2/13/02
to
I live on the third floor of an old rooming house along with 18 other
tenants. I share one 15 amp circuit breaker with another tenant on the
second floor and it handles all of our wall plugs. It trips about once a
week to fortnight for, as much as my fellow tenant and I can figure out, no
reason whatsoever. This leaves he and I, the Manager and the Landlord
scratching our heads trying to figure out why it is tripping as it does not
seem to happen when one of us switch on a high-current appliance. I have
suggested to the Landlord that it could just be that the circuit breaker is
getting old and replacing it would be a good place to start in trying to
solve the problem but he scoffs at the idea.
tenants. I share one 15 amp circuit breaker with another tenant on the
second floor and it handles all of our wall plugs. It trips about once a
week to fortnight for, as much as my fellow tenant and I can figure out, no
reason whatsoever. This leaves he and I, the Manager and the Landlord
scratching our heads trying to figure out why it is tripping as it does not
seem to happen when one of us switch on a high-current appliance. I have
suggested to the Landlord that it could just be that the circuit breaker is
getting old and replacing it would be a good place to start in trying to
solve the problem but he scoffs at the idea.
Question: Do circuit breakers eventually wear out with no cause other than
old age?
If they do, could you suggest some URL's of related documents that I might
print to convince a doubting Landlord?
Would deeply appreciate some help!
Harry
Feb 13, 2002, 9:08:27 PM2/13/02
to
Yes, they do. I just replaced a 15A breaker that tripped for no apparent
reason. It was only a year old. Put the circuit on another 15A breaker,
the tripping stopped.
reason. It was only a year old. Put the circuit on another 15A breaker,
the tripping stopped.
They're cheap to replace, so try it.
"Miraclewhip" <NOSPAM-mi...@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:3c6b1438$0$67483$892e...@authen.puce.readfreenews.net...
Miraclewhip
Feb 13, 2002, 9:13:43 PM2/13/02
to
Thanks for the quick response, Harry! I have printed it and will pass it on
to my favourite "Doubting Thomas".
to my favourite "Doubting Thomas".
"Harry" <nos...@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:v_Ea8.12205$Vt3....@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
Tony Hwang
Feb 13, 2002, 9:15:49 PM2/13/02
to
Hi,
i think it is not the case of worn out breaker, it is doing the job.
You are overloading the circuit. Don't try to install bigger circuit
breaker unless you want to burn down the house(worst case).
Tony
i think it is not the case of worn out breaker, it is doing the job.
You are overloading the circuit. Don't try to install bigger circuit
breaker unless you want to burn down the house(worst case).
Tony
Joseph Meehan
Feb 13, 2002, 9:21:00 PM2/13/02
to
Yes they do, and after being tripped time and time again due to
overloads, they are likely to be tripped by far less. However in your case
it still could be overload. Hard to say when there are two people involved.
However breakers are cheap.
overloads, they are likely to be tripped by far less. However in your case
it still could be overload. Hard to say when there are two people involved.
However breakers are cheap.
--
Dia 's Muire duit
Joseph E. Meehan
"Miraclewhip" <NOSPAM-mi...@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:3c6b1438$0$67483$892e...@authen.puce.readfreenews.net...
Tony Hwang
Feb 13, 2002, 9:55:35 PM2/13/02
to
Hi,
When youreset the breaker feel it. If it is quite warm, it is a sign of
over load.
Tony
When youreset the breaker feel it. If it is quite warm, it is a sign of
over load.
Tony
Kirk
Feb 14, 2002, 7:43:36 AM2/14/02
to
In article <v_Ea8.12205$Vt3....@nwrddc01.gnilink.net>,
nos...@microsoft.com says...
> Yes, they do. I just replaced a 15A breaker that tripped for no apparent
> reason. It was only a year old. Put the circuit on another 15A breaker,
> the tripping stopped.
>
nos...@microsoft.com says...
> Yes, they do. I just replaced a 15A breaker that tripped for no apparent
> reason. It was only a year old. Put the circuit on another 15A breaker,
> the tripping stopped.
>
They darned sure don't wear out from old age in only a year.
--
Kirk
The runner who goes for the bronze
will lose it to one of the three runners going for the gold.
Kirk
Feb 14, 2002, 7:46:28 AM2/14/02
to
In article <3c6b1438$0$67483$892e...@authen.puce.readfreenews.net>,
NOSPAM-mi...@somewhere.com says...
> I live on the third floor of an old rooming house along with 18 other
> tenants. I share one 15 amp circuit breaker with another tenant on the
> second floor and it handles all of our wall plugs. It trips about once a
> week to fortnight for, as much as my fellow tenant and I can figure out, no
> reason whatsoever. This leaves he and I, the Manager and the Landlord
> scratching our heads trying to figure out why it is tripping as it does not
> seem to happen when one of us switch on a high-current appliance. I have
> suggested to the Landlord that it could just be that the circuit breaker is
> getting old and replacing it would be a good place to start in trying to
> solve the problem but he scoffs at the idea.
>
> Question: Do circuit breakers eventually wear out with no cause other than
> old age?
>
NOSPAM-mi...@somewhere.com says...
> I live on the third floor of an old rooming house along with 18 other
> tenants. I share one 15 amp circuit breaker with another tenant on the
> second floor and it handles all of our wall plugs. It trips about once a
> week to fortnight for, as much as my fellow tenant and I can figure out, no
> reason whatsoever. This leaves he and I, the Manager and the Landlord
> scratching our heads trying to figure out why it is tripping as it does not
> seem to happen when one of us switch on a high-current appliance. I have
> suggested to the Landlord that it could just be that the circuit breaker is
> getting old and replacing it would be a good place to start in trying to
> solve the problem but he scoffs at the idea.
>
> Question: Do circuit breakers eventually wear out with no cause other than
> old age?
>
No. They do wear out if constantly tripped--they can't be used as
"switches" because each trip burns the contacts a bit. But they don't
just degenerate over time--at least not over the course of, say, 20
years.
Between the two of you, and the quality of the wiring, there is more
than likely some kind of short taking place. The circuit breaker is
the messenger of bad news--don't shoot the messenger, pay attention to
it.
Harry
Feb 14, 2002, 7:59:43 AM2/14/02
to
Yes, I agree "age" probably wasn't the reason. But the fact is, breakers do
go bad...sooner or later.
go bad...sooner or later.
H
"Kirk" <kirkdarlin...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.16d56cf33...@news.mindspring.com...
Don T. Care
Feb 14, 2002, 9:31:01 AM2/14/02
to
Circuit breakers probably fail for lots of reasons and age, by itself, is
probably not one of them. I have had breakers go bad that were in service
for ten years. I recently helped a neighbor who had one breaker tripping off
for no apparent reason. It was lightly loaded and had only been in service
for about 2 years, maybe less. We replaced the breaker because as noted
earlier it is a cheap fix. And in this case it was the right fix. The
replacement was an identical unit except from a different maker. No
consideration was given to who made it.
probably not one of them. I have had breakers go bad that were in service
for ten years. I recently helped a neighbor who had one breaker tripping off
for no apparent reason. It was lightly loaded and had only been in service
for about 2 years, maybe less. We replaced the breaker because as noted
earlier it is a cheap fix. And in this case it was the right fix. The
replacement was an identical unit except from a different maker. No
consideration was given to who made it.
I suspect that like in all things some of the units are made better than
others and some are a little worse. Every now and then there is one that was
not quite up to the job at hand. These failures can occur at any time and as
noted there are lots of reasons.
--
Charlie
To reply by email use the address below without all those extra spaces
between the letters
c b r e s s @ c o m c a s t . n e t
"Kirk" <kirkdarlin...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.16d56d9c4...@news.mindspring.com...
John Hines
Feb 14, 2002, 10:57:16 AM2/14/02
to
"Miraclewhip" <NOSPAM-mi...@somewhere.com> wrote:
>Question: Do circuit breakers eventually wear out with no cause other than
>old age?
Any mechanical device is subject to failure. Usually very rare in a
properly designed item, but it does happen.
Replace the breaker, they are cheap enough. If that doesn't fix it,
there is something else wrong.
Larry Travis
Feb 14, 2002, 11:38:00 AM2/14/02
to
Some panels and busses within can be of lesser quality. I am having an old
panel in my house replaced. Behind some of the breakers were signs of
charring and flaking. One of the breakers just wouldn't make good contact,
either. You might suggest your landlord pull out one of the breakers and
see the condition of the bus underneath. Breakers are just mechanical
devices, and thus subject to mechanical failure.
panel in my house replaced. Behind some of the breakers were signs of
charring and flaking. One of the breakers just wouldn't make good contact,
either. You might suggest your landlord pull out one of the breakers and
see the condition of the bus underneath. Breakers are just mechanical
devices, and thus subject to mechanical failure.
LT
"Miraclewhip" <NOSPAM-mi...@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:3c6b1438$0$67483$892e...@authen.puce.readfreenews.net...
Goedjn
Feb 14, 2002, 12:17:48 PM2/14/02
to
Swap the breaker with a nearby one of the same
type. Then see which circut blows...
Steve Manes
Feb 14, 2002, 6:03:32 PM2/14/02
to
On Wed, 13 Feb 2002 17:33:53 -0800, "Miraclewhip"
<NOSPAM-mi...@somewhere.com> wrote:
>Question: Do circuit breakers eventually wear out with no cause other than
>old age?
<NOSPAM-mi...@somewhere.com> wrote:
>Question: Do circuit breakers eventually wear out with no cause other than
>old age?
Probably not, but they will wear out from being tripped often, which
is why you shouldn't use a breaker as a manual switch, such as on a
dedicated compressor circuit.
------------------------------------------=o&>o----
Steve Manes, Brooklyn, USA
www.magpie.com
Kirk
Feb 14, 2002, 7:09:19 PM2/14/02
to
In article <u6nq0gi...@corp.supernews.com>, ltravis@cochran-
wilken.com says...
> Some panels and busses within can be of lesser quality. I am having an old
> panel in my house replaced. Behind some of the breakers were signs of
> charring and flaking. One of the breakers just wouldn't make good contact,
> either. You might suggest your landlord pull out one of the breakers and
> see the condition of the bus underneath. Breakers are just mechanical
> devices, and thus subject to mechanical failure.
>
>
wilken.com says...
> Some panels and busses within can be of lesser quality. I am having an old
> panel in my house replaced. Behind some of the breakers were signs of
> charring and flaking. One of the breakers just wouldn't make good contact,
> either. You might suggest your landlord pull out one of the breakers and
> see the condition of the bus underneath. Breakers are just mechanical
> devices, and thus subject to mechanical failure.
>
>
Charring and flaking are the signs of a circuit that was too hot but
didn't trip the breaker.
Don't blame the messenger, pay attention to him.
Kirk
Feb 14, 2002, 7:10:11 PM2/14/02
to
In article <benn6ukps1g2v9r4l...@4ax.com>,
jbh...@newsguy.com says...
> Replace the breaker, they are cheap enough. If that doesn't fix it,
> there is something else wrong.
>
>
jbh...@newsguy.com says...
> Replace the breaker, they are cheap enough. If that doesn't fix it,
> there is something else wrong.
>
>
I'd start checking for some reasons the breaker tripped before
replacing it.
John Hines
Feb 16, 2002, 10:23:32 AM2/16/02
to
Kirk <kirkdarlin...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>In article <benn6ukps1g2v9r4l...@4ax.com>,
>jbh...@newsguy.com says...
>> Replace the breaker, they are cheap enough. If that doesn't fix it,
>> there is something else wrong.
>>
>>
>
>
>I'd start checking for some reasons the breaker tripped before
>replacing it.
They already have, according to the original post.
Another alternative is to get a clamp on ammeter, and measure the
current that is actually flowing through the line. Turn every thing on,
and measure the actual load. If the circuit is loaded past 75% or so,
it needs to be re-wired and split up.
(yes, I know 80% is code, personally I would set the limit even lower)
dtvg...@gmail.com
Feb 18, 2014, 2:35:56 PM2/18/14
to
On Wednesday, February 13, 2002 8:34:51 PM UTC-5, Miraclewhip wrote:
>
> Question: Do circuit breakers eventually wear out with no cause other than
> old age?
>
If a circuit breaker has springs in it (like most do), it is very possible that they may weaken over time.
>
> Question: Do circuit breakers eventually wear out with no cause other than
> old age?
>
Power factor may be another thing to consider. A device may say it is rated at 50 watts, but if its power factor rating is 50%, then it may cause as much as 100 volt amps to flow through your circuit breaker. CFL's, microwave ovens, and electric motors in refrigerator compressors typically have horrendously poor power factor ratings. Although power factor correction may reduce you volt amps, it wont reduce your true power (watts). Most consumers are billed on watts not volt amps, so don't buy into power factor correction to save your electric bill; but power factor correction could in some cases prevent a circuit breaker from tripping.
Metspitzer
Feb 18, 2014, 4:01:54 PM2/18/14
to
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2007/Amprobe-Recalls-Clamp-Meters-Due-to-Shock-Hazard/
.
jamesgang
Feb 18, 2014, 4:42:38 PM2/18/14
to
On Wednesday, February 13, 2002 8:34:51 PM UTC-5, Miraclewhip wrote:
dpb
Feb 18, 2014, 5:05:08 PM2/18/14
to
compromised but that wouldn't be my first supposition.
Have you made absolutely sure you're aware of all outlets on the
circuit--that it serves at least two apartments is a bad idea to start
with; I'd not rule out there being somewhere else it goes you're not
aware of unless you have exhaustively confirmed it.
Secondly, have you/the landlord/manager/somebody confirmed that the
breaker isn't warm and has anybody checked connections of all the
outlets on the circuit as well as those at the breaker itself?
Have all the outlets been checked for signs of overheating, etc.?
Has anybody made an exhaustive catalog of all the loads on the circuit
to confirm what the loading actually is (after the previous exercise of
locating all outlets for certain, of course)?
--
Stormin Mormon
Feb 18, 2014, 6:50:35 PM2/18/14
to
On 2/18/2014 4:01 PM, Metspitzer wrote:
> On Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:35:56 -0800 (PST), dtvg...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> On Wednesday, February 13, 2002 8:34:51 PM UTC-5, Miraclewhip wrote:
>
Twelve years ago? Hope there was answer by now!
> On Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:35:56 -0800 (PST), dtvg...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> On Wednesday, February 13, 2002 8:34:51 PM UTC-5, Miraclewhip wrote:
>
--
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
dpb
Feb 18, 2014, 7:17:41 PM2/18/14
to
On 2/18/2014 4:05 PM, dpb wrote:
...
> It's not tripping "for no reason whatever". It may be it has become
> compromised but that wouldn't be my first supposition.
...
Actually, I'd forgotten it but I have had an instance where a breaker
did begin to trip after self-heating and it was the breaker itself that
was faulty...
In that case it was the A/C condenser disconnect rather than "just" a
15A, but don't see that it couldn't happen.
Again, check if it shows any signs of thermal heating after it has
tripped next time.
And, of course, they're inexpensive enough that might as well just try
to swap it out altho I'd still recommend the check for connections,
etc., mentioned earlier, it's only prudent when there's an issue.
--
...
> It's not tripping "for no reason whatever". It may be it has become
> compromised but that wouldn't be my first supposition.
Actually, I'd forgotten it but I have had an instance where a breaker
did begin to trip after self-heating and it was the breaker itself that
was faulty...
In that case it was the A/C condenser disconnect rather than "just" a
15A, but don't see that it couldn't happen.
Again, check if it shows any signs of thermal heating after it has
tripped next time.
And, of course, they're inexpensive enough that might as well just try
to swap it out altho I'd still recommend the check for connections,
etc., mentioned earlier, it's only prudent when there's an issue.
--
DerbyDad03
Feb 18, 2014, 8:38:05 PM2/18/14
to
those slim-line breakers that were used in Crouse-Hinds panels a few years
back. Weren't they notorious for self-heating?
dpb
Feb 18, 2014, 8:52:00 PM2/18/14
to
dpb <no...@non.net> wrote:
...
The one I mentioned is the only one I can ever recall behaving in such a
manner in my 50+ yrs. It was an old FPE of roughly 30-yr age at the
time it failed.
The only other breaker I ever recall replacing was one that got overly
hot because the feed wire screw wasn't set tightly enough and that
caused a local heating so I just replaced the breaker as well when fixed
the connection. Checked all the others in the panel at the time as well
as all grounds, of course...
So, I don't doubt it happens and given the numbers out there that there
are quite a few every day over the US but it surely isn't terribly
common in my experience so it's not what comes to mind firstly, certainly.
--
...
> I have, without a doubt, had breakers go bad. If I recall correctly it was
> those slim-line breakers that were used in Crouse-Hinds panels a few years
> back. Weren't they notorious for self-heating?
No idea, never had any.
> those slim-line breakers that were used in Crouse-Hinds panels a few years
> back. Weren't they notorious for self-heating?
The one I mentioned is the only one I can ever recall behaving in such a
manner in my 50+ yrs. It was an old FPE of roughly 30-yr age at the
time it failed.
The only other breaker I ever recall replacing was one that got overly
hot because the feed wire screw wasn't set tightly enough and that
caused a local heating so I just replaced the breaker as well when fixed
the connection. Checked all the others in the panel at the time as well
as all grounds, of course...
So, I don't doubt it happens and given the numbers out there that there
are quite a few every day over the US but it surely isn't terribly
common in my experience so it's not what comes to mind firstly, certainly.
--
micky
Feb 18, 2014, 8:57:23 PM2/18/14
to
>On Wednesday, February 13, 2002 8:34:51 PM UTC-5, Miraclewhip wrote:
>>
>> Question: Do circuit breakers eventually wear out with no cause other than
>> old age?
Yes, and don't forget, it's 12 years older now than when you asked your
>>
>> Question: Do circuit breakers eventually wear out with no cause other than
>> old age?
question.
I had a GFCI circuit breaker fail, It was about 5 years old. It
powered the receptacles in the bathrooms and by the kitchen sink. Not
sure about the washing machine. The previous owner of the house may
have use it for electric garden tools or kitchen appliances.
I never used it for anything more than 20 watts, but a year after I
bought the house it started tripping. I didn't give it LSD either.
After a year of this, tripping maybe 6 times, I bought a new one, and it
hasnt' tripped in the last 30 years, even with an electric lawn mower
running off of it. (And even btw, with an extension cord plugged
into it lying in the grass for the last 15 years, 12 months a year, dry,
wet, or with the rain falling on it. And lying under the snow for the
last 2 or 3 weeks. I just checked the breaker box and it hasn't
tripped.)
Robert Green
Feb 18, 2014, 8:57:50 PM2/18/14
to
"dpb" <no...@non.net> wrote in message news:le0t8d$7fi$1...@speranza.aioe.org...
<stuff snipped>
> And, of course, they're inexpensive enough that might as well just try
> to swap it out altho I'd still recommend the check for connections,
> etc., mentioned earlier, it's only prudent when there's an issue.
Inexpensive if you know how to swap them. What would an electrician charge
a rooming house landlord to do it? And would the landlord do it based on
the available evidence? Would he let his tenant do it even if the tenant
knew how?
It's funny how cold, cold weather brings out space heaters, even in building
where they are specifically not allowed. (-: That would be my first
suspicion. Aside from a recording ammeter I don't know how you can
determine if the circuit is tripping below its rating if these events occur
at odd times.
--
Bobby G.
<stuff snipped>
> And, of course, they're inexpensive enough that might as well just try
> to swap it out altho I'd still recommend the check for connections,
> etc., mentioned earlier, it's only prudent when there's an issue.
a rooming house landlord to do it? And would the landlord do it based on
the available evidence? Would he let his tenant do it even if the tenant
knew how?
It's funny how cold, cold weather brings out space heaters, even in building
where they are specifically not allowed. (-: That would be my first
suspicion. Aside from a recording ammeter I don't know how you can
determine if the circuit is tripping below its rating if these events occur
at odd times.
--
Bobby G.
bob haller
Feb 18, 2014, 9:46:15 PM2/18/14
to
I used to spend a LOT of time at the westinghuse vanport breaker plant in beaver PA.
A fascinating place:)
Breakers do age,they are designed to get more sensitive, tripping at a lower current as they age. This is asafety design.
So if you have a breaker that trips a lot for apparently no reason, replace it!!
A fascinating place:)
Breakers do age,they are designed to get more sensitive, tripping at a lower current as they age. This is asafety design.
So if you have a breaker that trips a lot for apparently no reason, replace it!!
Dean Hoffman
Feb 18, 2014, 10:25:26 PM2/18/14
to
Robert Green
Feb 19, 2014, 1:09:34 AM2/19/14
to
"micky" <NONONO...@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
> Yes, and don't forget, it's 12 years older now than when you asked your
> question.
Good catch, Micky. It seems that fully half the posts are from trolls these
days.
What kind of idiot gets their kicks reviving messages a dozen years old?
--
Bobby G.
--
Bobby G.
> Yes, and don't forget, it's 12 years older now than when you asked your
> question.
days.
What kind of idiot gets their kicks reviving messages a dozen years old?
--
Bobby G.
--
Bobby G.
83LowRider
Feb 19, 2014, 5:53:41 AM2/19/14
to
Robert Green wrote:
> Good catch, Micky. It seems that fully half the posts are from
> trolls these days.
>
> What kind of idiot gets their kicks reviving messages a dozen years
> old?
There were thousands <or maybe hundreds of thousands>
> Good catch, Micky. It seems that fully half the posts are from
> trolls these days.
>
> What kind of idiot gets their kicks reviving messages a dozen years
> old?
of old posts regurgitated via Google Groups a month or
so ago. A glitch in the interwebx matrix... if you will. Most
people don't catch the timestamp.
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