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-   -   Electric Breaker Problem (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=687878)

  • Jul 28, 2012, 05:22 AM
    pastor1189
    Electric Breaker Problem
    Had a breaker problem. One circuit was out. Breaker would not reset.
    In my case it was the two 20amp together 40Amp r, double pole breaker that was bad. Works fine now.
    It operated about 10 outlets, lamps, TV, small stuff. I asked if I had a short instead of a bad breaker would it be more difficult. He said”
    For a short in a circuit, turn each load off, before turning the next one on. If a certain one trips the breaker you have your bad boy. Is this true”?
    Or do I have to buy an expensive tester?
  • Jul 28, 2012, 05:33 AM
    creahands
    It's true.

    There are inexpensive testers out there. Depends on how much u will use it and how much u want to spend. They start at about $15.

    Chuck
  • Jul 28, 2012, 06:15 AM
    pastor1189
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by creahands View Post
    It's true.

    There are inexpensive testers out there. Depends on how much u will use it and how much u want to spend. They start at about $15.

    Chuck

    Great
  • Jul 28, 2012, 06:48 AM
    Stratmando
    "In my case it was the two 20amp together 40Amp".
    Sounds like a 2 pole 20 amp, Does it say 40?
    A short on a circuit will trip the breaker. A short at a light fixture or fixture wiring would trip when the light switch is turned on.
  • Jul 28, 2012, 07:42 AM
    pastor1189
    It was only the breaker. Two 20amp. 40 Total.. Man just replaced the breaker and everything was fine. This particular breaker supplies ten outlets. Two of which have have switches.
    Glad it was not a short this time. I have a tester for outlets, but the ones that work off a switch
    I do not know how to test.
  • Jul 28, 2012, 10:26 AM
    Stratmando
    If you turn on a light switch and it trips, you would want to check/remove the wiring from fixture, and try again, if it doesn't trip now, problem is in that box, the fixture, or a wire got pinched.
  • Jul 28, 2012, 10:46 AM
    pastor1189
    Very good
  • Jul 28, 2012, 11:05 AM
    ma0641
    I'm still confused. A double 20 amp breaker is not 40 amps, it is 20 amps. Where did the 40 come from. You would never have a 40 Amp breaker supplying room outlets!
  • Jul 28, 2012, 11:39 AM
    pastor1189
    Yes it has two 20amps as one unit. With two switches. Type A 40Amps 120-240 vac
    Everything is working fine
  • Jul 28, 2012, 03:35 PM
    Stratmando
    The 40 amps is confusing and is not 40 amps? Or is it? it is 2 20 amp circuits?
    It could be 2 120 volt 20 amp circuits on same phase, or opposite phases. If they share a neutral, they need to be on opposite phases. If you have 240 volts from both breakers, they are on opposite phases.
    Does it say 20 or 40 on the breaker? model Number of breaker? The 40 still has us confused? Thanks
  • Jul 29, 2012, 04:21 AM
    pastor1189
    40"c Type A 2 pole unit ctl 120/240 vac issue number KN-70
    Each breaker button has a 20 on them.. One button was broken
    And would not reset. Whole unit was replaced everything fine.now
  • Jul 29, 2012, 06:49 AM
    ma0641
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by pastor1189 View Post
    40"c Type A 2 pole unit ctl 120/240 vac issue number KN-70
    each breaker button has a 20 on them..One button was broken
    and would not reset. Whole unit was replaced everything fine.now

    40 refers to the temp rating not the amperage. It is a 20 amp breaker as suspected.
  • Jul 29, 2012, 07:44 AM
    Stratmando
    Glad you got it, If it was a 40 amp breaker, I would have been worried.
  • Jul 29, 2012, 10:05 AM
    pastor1189
    Yes it a bit confusing because each of the switch has a 20 upon it.
    And they are both entwine in a single unit.
  • Jul 29, 2012, 01:46 PM
    ma0641
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by pastor1189 View Post
    Yes it a bit confusing because each of the switch has a 20 upon it.
    and they are both entwine in a single unit.

    That is a standard duplex breaker -20 amp per pole. You would never have a 40 amp breaker for room outlets.
  • Jul 30, 2012, 04:33 AM
    pastor1189
    Boy I am learning a lot here. I wonder why they just don't have a single breaker.
    If it is only 20 amps. It has two switches, do they trip in concert
  • Jul 30, 2012, 05:34 AM
    Stratmando
    When you run out of spaces and you need another circuit, that is what you have to do. They offer the protection for 2 circuits, If there is not a bar attached to both breakers, they will only trip that circuit, it is basically 2 circuit breakers in 1 space.
  • Jul 30, 2012, 05:44 AM
    pastor1189
    Great

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