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aj73181
Jan 9, 2010, 10:13 PM
I have a 100 amp service disconnect and a 200 amp main box the 200amp breaker keeps triping but not the 100amp at the pole what could cause this it has been this way for 5 years now and just started doing this thanks

tkrussell
Jan 10, 2010, 05:29 AM
Since the 200 amp CB is tripping, and is downstream of the 100 Amp Main CB, overload is not the issue.

There most likely is a loose connection at or near the 200 Amp CB. A loose connection will cause heat, the heat will be conducted through the metal into the CB causing the thermal device inside the CB to react, and trip.

I once found a nut bolting the CB tab on the load side of a 200 amp breaker, with only a 20 (twenty) amp load, caused enough heat to trip the 200 Amp CB. I was only able to find this loose connection with an Infrared heat detector.

Without having a detector handy, you may try tightening any and all connections. Ideally, the process is to loosen any connection, an then tighten to the proper torque specifications. Over-tightening can be as worse, and at times worse that a loose connection.