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Why would a circuit breaker that should be able to handle 2300 watts trip sometimes when you just turn on a 350-watt TV?
Wiki User
∙ 19y ago
I would wonder if the items that are tripping the breaker are being plugged into the same outlet. There could be a problem with the outlet or the wiring in the box in the wall that the outlet is mounted in. If one of the screws on the back of the outlet that connects the wire to the outlet is loose, there would be a possibility of seeing your problem. Also, breakers can and do go bad. The more they pop, the more worn out they get. If you feel comfortable, you could try swapping the breaker in the box with another one of the same amp rating or just buy a new one since they aren't too expensive. You'll still have your old one as a spare or for an additional circuit to be added later. The TV could also act as a large capacitor and draw alot of current right when its turned on and charging up(like lights dimming when you turn something like a tv on)
Wiki User
∙ 19y ago
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Is a circuit breaker a resistor?
No, a circuit breaker is a safety device that is used in a circuit to limit the amount of current in an overload or short circuit condition. The number on a breaker is the top end current that the breaker will handle before opening the circuit.
What size circuit breaker is needed for a 300 watt bulb?
A 15 amp circuit breaker will handle this situation very well. The smallest home breaker is rated at 15 amp.
How do you find fuse capacity in house lightning?
To find the circuit's capacity you have to look at the breaker or fuse that protects that circuit. On the handle of the breaker you will see a number. that number is the tripping capacity of that particular breaker. On a glass screw in fuse you will see a coloured disk with a number on it that is the capacity that the fuse can handle before opening the circuit. On cartridge fuses the voltage and amperage rating will be printed on the body of the fuse.
When a circuit breaker trips in what position will you find the operating handle?
The operating handle will be found in mid throw. On smaller type electrical breakers there is a small trip indicator window and a red flag will be visible when the breaker has tripped. On larger physical size breakers you will definitely see that the handle is not in the off or on position. To reset any size breaker move the handle to the full off position. You might hear a click but you will definitely feel the internal mechanism re-latch to the off position. This has reset the breaker, move the handle to the on position and normal electrical power will have been restored. If you get an instantaneous trip after a reset do not try and reset the breaker again. Find the cause of the short circuit and get it repaired. Constant and repetitive resetting will destroy the breaker and increase the temperature of the short circuit. If the short circuit is in a highly combustive area this is not good. Find the problem and get it repaired.
Why will too many electrical devices operating at one time after blow a fuse or trip a circuit breaker?
The load exceeds the limit of the breaker or fuse. For example a 20 amp breaker on a 120 volt circuit will handle 2400 watts. Exceed that wattage and the breaker will trip or the fuse will blow.
Is a circuit breaker a resistor?
No, a circuit breaker is a safety device that is used in a circuit to limit the amount of current in an overload or short circuit condition. The number on a breaker is the top end current that the breaker will handle before opening the circuit.
What size circuit breaker is needed for a 300 watt bulb?
A 15 amp circuit breaker will handle this situation very well. The smallest home breaker is rated at 15 amp.
This will flip when a circuit in a house becomes overloaded?
A circuit breaker has a small handle that will flip to the open position due to overload.
What is a difference between 10KA and 22KA circuit breakers?
The previous answer is incorrect, and I would advise that user to not give out information if they are going to give completely misguided information. The interrupting rating of a breaker is the maximum current that the breaker is designed to handle, at the breaker's rated voltage, before damage will occur to the breaker. A breaker will trip at FAR LESS than the interrupting rating, but it is extremely dangerous to expose the breaker to any situation where it will have more than the rated interruption current. the breaker is designed for. The reason some breakers are rated at 22kA instead of 10kA is because they typically have far larger conductors hooked up to them, so with the lowered impedance on the circuit there is more of a chance for the breaker to experience a higher fault current at the breaker. So electricians install 22kA breakers to handle the higher "available fault current."
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.
How do you find fuse capacity in house lightning?
To find the circuit's capacity you have to look at the breaker or fuse that protects that circuit. On the handle of the breaker you will see a number. that number is the tripping capacity of that particular breaker. On a glass screw in fuse you will see a coloured disk with a number on it that is the capacity that the fuse can handle before opening the circuit. On cartridge fuses the voltage and amperage rating will be printed on the body of the fuse.
If your circuit breaker popped and will not go back what should you do?
first be sure to reset the breaker handle to the off position. When a breaker trips the handle goes to a neutral position. After resetting the handle turn it tothe on position. If it trips again there is a short in the circuit. Find out which outlets are not workingand unplug anything that is currently plugged in to the outlets. Reset the breaker and turn it to the on position,if it trips again call a qualified electrician.
When a circuit breaker trips in what position will you find the operating handle?
The operating handle will be found in mid throw. On smaller type electrical breakers there is a small trip indicator window and a red flag will be visible when the breaker has tripped. On larger physical size breakers you will definitely see that the handle is not in the off or on position. To reset any size breaker move the handle to the full off position. You might hear a click but you will definitely feel the internal mechanism re-latch to the off position. This has reset the breaker, move the handle to the on position and normal electrical power will have been restored. If you get an instantaneous trip after a reset do not try and reset the breaker again. Find the cause of the short circuit and get it repaired. Constant and repetitive resetting will destroy the breaker and increase the temperature of the short circuit. If the short circuit is in a highly combustive area this is not good. Find the problem and get it repaired.
Why will too many electrical devices operating at one time after blow a fuse or trip a circuit breaker?
The load exceeds the limit of the breaker or fuse. For example a 20 amp breaker on a 120 volt circuit will handle 2400 watts. Exceed that wattage and the breaker will trip or the fuse will blow.
How do you reset a shunt trip breaker?
A shunt trip breaker is reset the same way as an ordinary breaker, move the handle to the full off position and then to the full on position. First check the tripping circuit, sometimes a latch relay is used to hold the breaker shunt trip coil in the trip position. If this is the case then reset the latch relay first.
Does a double 50 amp breaker make a 100 amp?
No, a double pole 50 amp breaker protects a 240 volt supply at 50 amps. The number that is on the handle of the breaker is the amperage that the breaker will trip at if an overload occurs on the circuit.
What is the problem if the breaker isn't tripped and there is no power to my switch in computer room switch in foyer switch for outside porch and alarm panel is dead?
The most likely problem is that the breaker has tripped. On some breakers there is a indication window that shows a red flag if the breaker needs resetting. On other breakers there is no indication but a slight misalignment of the breaker handle as compared to the other ones. On the distribution panel find the breaker number of the circuit that is off from the panel index. Push the breaker handle to the furthest off position that you can. As the handle is moved to the off position you will feel a bit of resistance. Push past it as that is the breaker resetting. Return the breaker to the on position to see if the circuit has re-energized. The only other reason is that a wire has become disconnected in the circuit. If you have been doing any electrical work on the circuit start looking in that area. To troubleshoot these types of problems it will require the use of a volt meter to check to see if the circuit is "hot" from the breaker out. Then it is just a matter of finding where the voltage stops and locate the problem.
