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Would upgrading your electrical service stop tripping breakers?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
=== === Not exactly. Breakers trip because the current exceeds the rating of that breaker. In other words....you're plugging too much into that circuit. And the wire can only safely handle a certain amount of current; so you can't just put a bigger breaker in. === === <><><> (LIFE SAFETY WARNING! [disclaimer]
Electricity is dangerous!
You can be injured or killed!
Improper installations can cause fire, injury and death!
The only time I would expect "upgrading" your service would help you to stop tripping breakers was if it was the main breaker that was tripping, and that because of overload [high current]!
It is possible that the panel is poorly maintained and the breakers do not connect to the busbar snugly, allowing a voltage drop at the connection point. This would generate heat at the connection which would contribute to the breaker tripping if it has a thermal trip as well as a magnetic element. It would also contribute to lowered voltage at the intended load, which could cause higher current draw in some cases [motors]
On the other hand, I have found that some unscrupulous tradesmen will use the opportunity to sell a big job because they need the work, rather than fix a simple problem.
I recently had a service call where the people complained that "everything goes out all over." They could have been sold a new service by someone, even though theirs wasn't that old ... but all they needed was to have additional breakers installed.
Somebody had put three circuits into one breaker and two each into two others, so they had three breakers instead of seven.
The usual real solution is to run a new line for new receptacles to the point of high demand and leave the rest of the wiring alone. Home handymen and many remodelers who do their own electrical work often just dump anything they add onto any existing circuit. <><><>
As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.
Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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Will multiple tripping of a circuit breaker damage the circuit breaker?
You don't specify whether you mean low-voltage circuit breakers, such as MCBs (miniature circuit breakers) or high-voltage circuit breakers. In either case, repeated tripping under fault conditions causes arcing which damages the main contacts of the circuit breakers. For this reason, high-voltage circuit breakers are taken out of service after a specified number of tripping operations, so that the contacts can be maintained or, if necessary, replaced. MCB contacts are inaccessible, and the MCB may eventually require replacing.
What is the ACB circuit breaker?
The letters ACB stand for Air Circuit Breaker. These types of circuit breakers are used for high voltage switching. The breakers are usually enclosed in steel switch gear enclosures that are situated in electrical service vaults.
How are quad circuit breakers used?
This would typically be seen in older residential installations where the service was of such a high amperage that the mains required larger breakers than were available (for that panel). Placing two breakers in parallel allowing sharing of the load. Two breakers per (split) phase would total four breakers. Two breakers of 50 amp rating each (in parallel) provide (generally) 100 amps of protection. Two sets of two would provide mains protection for a 200 amp service.
What is the place in the home that contains the circuit breakers?
The ciruit breaker box. This is usually mounted near the main power source in the home. Try the basement, the back porch, or near the kitchen. If all else fails, go outside and look where the power meter is. The breaker box should be nearby inside the home. In many homes the electrical panel is in the basement. In homes that do not have basements the electrical panel is placed in the garage.
Why does the main circuit breaker trip but not the smaller branch circuit breakers?
If the main breaker has ground fault detection, and the fault is a ground fault, then only the main may trip. Also if the fault is a direct short, the fault current may be several thousand amps, much greater than the trip point of both breakers. Breakers have an I^2T curve (current squared-time), which is an indication of how fast the breaker will trip at a given overload. When both breakers are overloaded, the breaker with the faster I^2T rating at that current level will trip first. This would be an indication that the breakers are improperly specified or adjusted.
Will multiple tripping of a circuit breaker damage the circuit breaker?
You don't specify whether you mean low-voltage circuit breakers, such as MCBs (miniature circuit breakers) or high-voltage circuit breakers. In either case, repeated tripping under fault conditions causes arcing which damages the main contacts of the circuit breakers. For this reason, high-voltage circuit breakers are taken out of service after a specified number of tripping operations, so that the contacts can be maintained or, if necessary, replaced. MCB contacts are inaccessible, and the MCB may eventually require replacing.
What are the release dates for Ask This Old House - 2002 Upgrading Electrical Service Attracting Butterflies to Gardens 10-15?
Ask This Old House - 2002 Upgrading Electrical Service Attracting Butterflies to Gardens 10-15 was released on: USA: 14 January 2012
When do you know if you need an electrical service upgrade?
1) If you are tripping the main breaker and you do not have an electrical fault in the home. 2) If you are installing additional circuits or appliances and you expect to exceed 80% of the load capacity of the existing service panel.
Is a fault?
An electrical fault is where the electrical current goes where it is not intended to go. Usually this is the quickest and shortest return path to the electrical supply service. An electrical fault will trip breakers and blow fuses in the circuit as protection to stop the short circuit.
A fault is a what?
An electrical fault is where the electrical current goes where it is not intended to go. Usually this is the quickest and shortest return path to the electrical supply service. An electrical fault will trip breakers and blow fuses in the circuit as protection to stop the short circuit.
Should an electrical outlet box protrude or be recessed relative to the wall?
Are you talking about recepticale boxes that you plug a device into or service panel that the breakers are in?
How do you wire a 220V 50Hz induction cooktop max 4.6kW in a 110V 60Hz service?
There comes a time when you simply have to upgrade your electrical service. A 60hz service was never designed to handle all the power requirements of a modern home. When the 60hz service came in, it was designed to handle a few lights and a few receptacles. I'd be surprised if you had more than 4 circuits on your board and I'm betting that you are blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers constantly. Bite the bullet, upgrade your service.
What is the ACB circuit breaker?
The letters ACB stand for Air Circuit Breaker. These types of circuit breakers are used for high voltage switching. The breakers are usually enclosed in steel switch gear enclosures that are situated in electrical service vaults.
How many watts does a garage use?
Let's start with a typical 110 VAC service. You probably have 20 amp breakers in the service in the garage, and with at least 2 breakers, we have some idea of the theoretical electrical consumption. Remember, Volts X Amps = WATTS, so 110VAC X (2 breakers X 20AMPs) = 110 X 2 X 20 = 2200 WATTS
Where is the headlamp fuse located on a 2005 impala?
See Fuses and Circuit Breakers, under Section 5: Service and Appearance Care - Electrical System on page 5-95 of your "Owner's Manual".....
Is a fifteen Amp circuit breaker on a one hundred Amp panel actually de-rated to allow only twelve Amps?
when adding up loads for sizing other conductors such as mains and main breakers, you assume each receptacle circuit is loaded at 80% of circuit ampacity. for a 15 amp circuit, 80% is 12 amps. but you can use all the ampacity you want til you start tripping breakers. if you know ahead of time in designing an electrical service that 80% isn't a good assumption, then by all means, make it bigger.
What is service in a building?
The service is your electrical distribution service. It is what the power authority connects to in your house to service you with electrical power.
