Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    pastor1189's Avatar
    pastor1189 Posts: 1,538, Reputation: 3
    Ultra Member
     
    #1

    Jul 28, 2012, 05:22 AM
    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?
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
    Ultra Member
     
    #2

    Jul 28, 2012, 05:33 AM
    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
    pastor1189's Avatar
    pastor1189 Posts: 1,538, Reputation: 3
    Ultra Member
     
    #3

    Jul 28, 2012, 06:15 AM
    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
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
     
    #4

    Jul 28, 2012, 06:48 AM
    "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.
    pastor1189's Avatar
    pastor1189 Posts: 1,538, Reputation: 3
    Ultra Member
     
    #5

    Jul 28, 2012, 07:42 AM
    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.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
     
    #6

    Jul 28, 2012, 10:26 AM
    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.
    pastor1189's Avatar
    pastor1189 Posts: 1,538, Reputation: 3
    Ultra Member
     
    #7

    Jul 28, 2012, 10:46 AM
    Very good
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
    Uber Member
     
    #8

    Jul 28, 2012, 11:05 AM
    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!
    pastor1189's Avatar
    pastor1189 Posts: 1,538, Reputation: 3
    Ultra Member
     
    #9

    Jul 28, 2012, 11:39 AM
    Yes it has two 20amps as one unit. With two switches. Type A 40Amps 120-240 vac
    Everything is working fine
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
     
    #10

    Jul 28, 2012, 03:35 PM
    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
    pastor1189's Avatar
    pastor1189 Posts: 1,538, Reputation: 3
    Ultra Member
     
    #11

    Jul 29, 2012, 04:21 AM
    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
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
    Uber Member
     
    #12

    Jul 29, 2012, 06:49 AM
    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.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
     
    #13

    Jul 29, 2012, 07:44 AM
    Glad you got it, If it was a 40 amp breaker, I would have been worried.
    pastor1189's Avatar
    pastor1189 Posts: 1,538, Reputation: 3
    Ultra Member
     
    #14

    Jul 29, 2012, 10:05 AM
    Yes it a bit confusing because each of the switch has a 20 upon it.
    And they are both entwine in a single unit.
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
    Uber Member
     
    #15

    Jul 29, 2012, 01:46 PM
    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.
    pastor1189's Avatar
    pastor1189 Posts: 1,538, Reputation: 3
    Ultra Member
     
    #16

    Jul 30, 2012, 04:33 AM
    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
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
     
    #17

    Jul 30, 2012, 05:34 AM
    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.
    pastor1189's Avatar
    pastor1189 Posts: 1,538, Reputation: 3
    Ultra Member
     
    #18

    Jul 30, 2012, 05:44 AM
    Great

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search


Check out some similar questions!

Electric stove circuit breaker? [ 5 Answers ]

I have a 240Vac Stove 4 prong outlet. The wiring to the receptacle is fully installed. Stove not working properly. I pulled out my meter and I measure 120 from L1 to Ground and 120 from L2 to Ground, I measure 0V between L1 and L2. How can I correct this to 240 between L1 and2?

Coleman Electric Breaker - Keeps going off [ 1 Answers ]

I have a Coleman 3300L823 (23Kw /78,000 BTU) furnace and every 4 or 5 hours the lower circuit breaker goes off. Once I reset the breaker, it works for several hours and then goes off again. The weather has been very cold these last couple of days and I am wondering if it has anything to do...

How to breaker for electric stove [ 2 Answers ]

I want to install electric stove ,but first I have to know how many ampes of breaker I have used and I need put plug for the stove .I just do not know how to sart please help me. Thank you

Can I use a 40 amp breaker for a electric stove [ 1 Answers ]

I have a man going to sand my hard wood floors & I need to plug in his sander to a stove plug .I have a gas stove but there is a plug for a electric stove I do not have the wires in the panel hooked to a breaker they are just hanging there. I have a 40 amp breaker ;can I use this


View more questions Search