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    Gregarious's Avatar
    Gregarious Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Dec 27, 2009, 09:46 AM
    Circuit breaker failure without trip
    I have a banl of lights and other itmes that went dark. I reset all circuit breakers (cutler Hammer 30 amp 1 pole) which did not correct problem. At first glance no CB had tripped, hence I reset all. Can A CB go bad with out tripping?
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Dec 27, 2009, 09:49 AM
    Sure a circuit breaker can fail. Without using a voltage tester to see where there is voltage or not all you are doing is guessing.

    Why a 30 amp single pole breaker?

    Is this circuit in a home? If so, then the breaker should not be larger than a 20 amp on #12 wire.
    Gregarious's Avatar
    Gregarious Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Dec 27, 2009, 01:54 PM

    That is what is already in the box. This is a very old home. Breakers not marked for outlets affected. Is it likely that a wire in the circuit came loose and if so is this something I can check myself? What is strange is that the affected outlests are Chandeliers, garbage disposal and diswasher, and basement lights. 1 wall outlest affected in a room that all else is working.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #4

    Dec 27, 2009, 07:43 PM

    Without question, the first thing you need to do is replace that breaker with a 20 or possibly even a 15!
    Those items should NEVER be on a 30.
    Gregarious's Avatar
    Gregarious Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Dec 29, 2009, 07:00 AM

    UPDATE: Disposal and Dishwasher were on different breaker. Also I purchased a volt detector to check if a wire was loose in the circuit. While checking I found a "fuse" box with 4 twist in fuses... 3 of the out lines were dead. One fuse looked blown. Replaced 3 fuses on dead out lines. All then read hot. I then went to known outlets in problem area and the voltmeter went crazy just waving it by the out let. A light fixture read hot (by touching bulb) even with light switch off. I could touch the wall and trace line. All chandelier switches were hot in on and off position but nothing worked. I took out the fuse and all is back to normal (well lights still do not work but my voltage meter is happy).

    Please advise...
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #6

    Dec 29, 2009, 08:06 AM

    I am really confused by your situation, but from what I can gather you may have an open neutral wire somewhere.

    I would strongly suggest you get a pro in there to troubleshoot this problem.
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