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A breaker is a current activated device.
New to these forums so, not sure on the etiquette of improving the answer above. I didn't see a button to provide a second answer. That being said;
While the breaker reacts to current and not Voltage, Voltage drop to a motor load will cause that motor to draw more current, which can trip the breaker. The higher current draw will also create more Voltage drop, etc. Your best bet is just to stay within the industry standard of 3% drop for feeders, 5% for branch circuits. If this question doesn't involve motors, then Voltage drop outside tolerance will eventually cause the device to malfunction, depending on the severity of the drop, but won't effect the circuit breaker.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoIt can be, as a low voltage can cause loads, such as motors, to draw more load current than normal from the supply, and this current could then be seen as an overload current by the circuit breaker, causing it to trip.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoA circuit breaker is basically a switch (albeit one designed to disconnect a fault current), so it simply opens or closes a circuit. It has no effect on the voltage.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoOnly if it trips!
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Ceiling fan quit working no power at switch circuit breaker not tripped?
I have seen cases where an open breaker is the cause of such problems. It appears to be on, but is open internally. Check the voltage with a meter or temporarily piggy-back the fan circuit on another breaker. If it isn't the breaker it is a connection somewhere in the circuit leading to the fan switch. If the power is coming from a GFCI outlet, check that. Otherwise, you start at the breaker measuring voltage and then try and find other spots in the circuit before the fan switch and check voltages there. You can also go a bit high tech and buy a signal tracer for about $30 and check out the circuit wiring. Then there is always an electrician who will likely find the problem quickly.
What cause circuit breaker to trip when refrigerator plug in?
If you can plug the fridge into another outlet and it comes on, then the issue is either a bad outlet connection or the circut breaker may be going out and needs replacement. Try the fridge on another outlet 1st. If it trips that one too then there is a short in your fridge.
What would cause a short periodic low hum to come from a circuit breaker?
A bad circuit breaker. Replace it.
Why would a circuit breaker switch spark?
the circuit breaker spark when it comes an over load, loss contact,but the probable cause is loss contact...and also the circuit breaker is going to be damage or destroyed.
Circuit breaker trip cause smoke will homeowner insurance pay for it?
A circuit breaker does not "cause" smoke. A circuit breaker "breaks" a circuit when there is too much current, creating a hazardous condition for the wires that are connected to the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker PROTECTS you from electrical fire. Find the source of the smoke; what burned? If a circuit breaker tripped during the incident, it is usually caused by melting/burning wire insulation, either inside or outside of an appliance. If the insulation inside the walls of your house has burned/melted, it could be that the circuit breaker was too large for the wire or that the circuit breaker failed to shut off at the appropriate current load. If the circuit breaker failed, your insurance should help you. If an appliance overloaded the circuit, your insurance should help you. If someone connected an oversized circuit breaker, causing the wire to overheat, your insurance company may refuse to help you.
What might cause low voltage at one outlet on a multioutlet circuit?
its an overload on the circuit breaker the 3 outlets are on.. many times groups of outlets are on different circuit breakers.. even though they are in the same room... especially if some are on a gfi outlet
Ceiling fan quit working no power at switch circuit breaker not tripped?
I have seen cases where an open breaker is the cause of such problems. It appears to be on, but is open internally. Check the voltage with a meter or temporarily piggy-back the fan circuit on another breaker. If it isn't the breaker it is a connection somewhere in the circuit leading to the fan switch. If the power is coming from a GFCI outlet, check that. Otherwise, you start at the breaker measuring voltage and then try and find other spots in the circuit before the fan switch and check voltages there. You can also go a bit high tech and buy a signal tracer for about $30 and check out the circuit wiring. Then there is always an electrician who will likely find the problem quickly.
What cause circuit breaker to trip when refrigerator plug in?
If you can plug the fridge into another outlet and it comes on, then the issue is either a bad outlet connection or the circut breaker may be going out and needs replacement. Try the fridge on another outlet 1st. If it trips that one too then there is a short in your fridge.
What would cause a circuit breaker heating element to trip off?
There are two conditions that would cause a breaker to trip off. One is an overload of the circuit and the other is a short circuit on the circuit. The heating element within the breaker is what monitors for circuit overloads.
What would cause a short periodic low hum to come from a circuit breaker?
A bad circuit breaker. Replace it.
How does voltage cause flow in a circuit?
This causes flow because voltage is what powers a circuit
Why would a circuit breaker switch spark?
the circuit breaker spark when it comes an over load, loss contact,but the probable cause is loss contact...and also the circuit breaker is going to be damage or destroyed.
Can a circuit breaker on my 1992 grand prix cause my headlights to stay on?
No. A circuit breaker is like a fuse, it protects a circuit from a catastrophe if a dead short should occur.
Circuit breaker trip cause smoke will homeowner insurance pay for it?
A circuit breaker does not "cause" smoke. A circuit breaker "breaks" a circuit when there is too much current, creating a hazardous condition for the wires that are connected to the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker PROTECTS you from electrical fire. Find the source of the smoke; what burned? If a circuit breaker tripped during the incident, it is usually caused by melting/burning wire insulation, either inside or outside of an appliance. If the insulation inside the walls of your house has burned/melted, it could be that the circuit breaker was too large for the wire or that the circuit breaker failed to shut off at the appropriate current load. If the circuit breaker failed, your insurance should help you. If an appliance overloaded the circuit, your insurance should help you. If someone connected an oversized circuit breaker, causing the wire to overheat, your insurance company may refuse to help you.
Can a short circuit cause low voltage?
Most likely a short circuit will cause no voltage. Due to the high current on a short circuit fault the over current protection of the circuit will trip. This will cut the voltage supply off completely.
What is a reusable circuit protector a circuit breaker - a fuse - a 10 gauge copper wire or a three prong outlet?
A circuit breaker is the only reusable circuit protector in that list. A fuse is also circuit protection, but it is not reusable. A length of wire can work like a fuse in some applications, such as feeding transformers on poles, but the wire would have to be small enough of a gauge to be able to burn out when overloaded. However, the wire would need replaced after an overload. A three prong outlet is for protecting humans, not circuits. The ground wire is for providing a low impedance fault current path back to the breaker to trip the faulted circuit's breaker (or fuse). The opening of the circuit will prevent a possible fire. However, a three prong outlet doesn't actually provide the protection of tripping the circuit.
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.
