Hello,

I have a set of common 220 breakers that are tripping, I have tested both wires with a amprobe and both wires are pulling under the limit of the breaker. I'm wondering if a breaker will get hot to the touch if it has gone bad?

Thanks

Jim

Yes a breaker will get hot if it has gone bad. But check to see if there are other issues causing the problem. If you are not sure, have a licensed electrician check the circuit for you.

What you need to look at is the voltage across the breaker under load. It should be very small. Your assuming the breaker contacts are a short circuit. Zero resistance is unobtainable so there is always some drop across the breaker.

The breaker being hot can indicate it is defective. It can also indicate that either the Line and/or Load connection is loose. Loose connection will create heat, which will then migrate into the breaker and activate the thermal trip unit inside.

Checking the Load is simple, tighten the screw onto the wire. Checking the Line is more difficult. This is where the breaker plugs onto the busbar tab in the panel. Look for any burnt metal or discoloration of the metal tab. If it is not clean and bright, you may be able to clean it. If it is melted or distorted, the breaker needs to be moved to anther slot, and the damaged slot not used, and the panel will need to be changed.

Measuring the voltage drop across Line and Load of the breaker is an indicator of poor contacts inside the breaker, mentioned by Kiss, and is often used as a troubleshooting method by professionals, but is impractical for a DIY'er to perform, as the voltage difference will be in Millivolts, and a meter that will measure millivolts is needed.

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Originally Posted by Jim1954

Hello,

I have a set of common 220 breakers that are tripping, I have tested both wires with a amprobe and both wires are pulling under the limit of the breaker. I'm wondering if a breaker will get hot to the touch if it has gone bad?

Thanks

Jim

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Thanks for the breaker answers! I bought s new breaker yesterday and things are working fine.

Jim