Recently my panel is making a "sizzling" noise. I'm sure it has too much load.

My furnace, Stove, some plugs in my kitchen and one plug in my bedroom are all connected in this particular breaker.

I want to do the work.

I won't cause any problem by turning off the main breaker for the panel correct?

For the Sparkys in here, are there any pre caution before doing work?

Any tips for a rookie?

The sizzle is most likely from a loose connection, either at the point the breaker plugs into the panel, or in the breaker, or the load side wire connection. Best to find and repair soon.

Shutting off the Main is needed, just remember the two large wires are still live in a panel that holds the Main breaker.

Look closely at the tab the breaker plugs onto, If corodded or melted, serious repairs to the panel is needed hopefully there is a spare space to relocate the breaker until repairs can be made.

Otherwise may just need to replace the breaker or re-do the connection.

Are you saying that a single breaker in the circuit box has multiple circuits (ie black wires) connected to it?

If so, you can probably buy a piggyback breaker. I'm not sure if that's the real name, but essentially it is two breakers in the size of a single breaker packaging. Split the circuits onto separate breakers. Done.

But if there's only 1 black wire going to the breaker, that circuit itself is probably overloaded. You'll need to rewire your house to split the load. Is it humming or sizzling?

In both cases, I would suggest hiring a professional electrician.

Thanks for your post guys,

I oopened my panel last night. I found 1 black wire. And that black wire is only the furnce wire. But, why is it that when this particular breaker trips, my stove and some plugs in the house trips as well. But, there not in the same breaker?

I checked for looose connection and there was none. Even checked the neutrals.

Wheres TK? LOL help :D

Did you unplug the affected breakers from the panel to check the tabs the breakers connect to? Any one defective connection on the line side of a breaker can create heat that can affect a nearby breaker, causing it to trip for no apparent reason.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tkrussell

Did you unplug the affected breakers from the panel to check the tabs the breakers connect to? Any one defective connection on the line side of a breaker can create heat that can affect a nearby breaker, causing it to trip for no apparent reason.

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Sweet. I'll check it out when I get home from work. I'll let you know what happens

Thnaks tk :D

A sizzle? Just for my own curiousity, would your panel happen to be a Zinsco?