A circuit breaker helps protect devices connected to that circuit from thermal overload. Just like most electrical devices, they have a limited life span. Despite the relatively long life of up to 30 or 40 years, they can fail or get damaged. How do you tell if a circuit breaker is bad? We are coming to that shortly.
If your circuit breaker keeps on tripping it may be time to replace it.
But before then, you need to perform some few tests that can help you establish if your circuit breaker has failed.
First things first.. the circuit breaker is designed to trip when there is an electrical problem. For example, a short circuit, a circuit overload or other abnormal occurrences in the power circuit it is meant to protect.
A short circuit may be due to live and neutral wires touching each other, or a faulty appliance, or water ingress to one of the components connected to the circuit.
On the other hand, an overload may be caused by too many appliances connected to the appliance such that their combined power load exceeds the rating of the circuit breaker. Obviously, having a correctly sized breaker is an important factor in designing your home electrical circuit.
Hence, our first task before we conclude the circuit breaker is bad would be to check that the above situations are not present. Naturally, if they are present, the circuit breaker will trip.
For your safety, if you are not comfortable or trained to work in an electrical panel, we recommend you seek professional help from an electrician.
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Step 1
Disconnect all the appliances and electronics that this circuit breaker serves. Check if tripping still occurs. If it does not trip, one the disconnected appliances is causing the circuit breaker to trip.
To determine which one of the appliances is causing the breaker to trip, connect them one by one.
However if it trips, you need to check the wiring for short circuit. To do this, follow step 2.
Step 2
First ensure that you switch off the main power and that the electrical panel is dead. Next, remove the wires at the bottom of the circuit breaker – those are the wires that go to your appliances and sockets. Tape the ends to insulate them before switching ON the power to the electrical panel again.
Now see if the circuit breaker trips again. If after doing step 1 and 2 it does not trip, call an electrician to correct the problem in your wiring that is causing a short circuit.
If the circuit breaker still trips, it is time to replace it. It is faulty.
After this test, remember to switch off power before connecting back the wires to the circuit breaker.
Step 3
If everything seems normal, use a multi meter to measure the voltage at the input of the circuit breaker and compare it to the output of the circuit breaker. If all is well, both measured voltages should be the same.
Step 4
Review the load connected to the circuit and determine whether the circuit breaker rating is correctly sized. If you are not sure, seek professional services of an electrician or electrical technician.
Step 5
Ensure the wires on your circuit breaker terminals are tightened and there is no loose connection.
Following the above steps is a simple guide on how to tell if a circuit breaker is bad.
Two important things worth considering:
When your circuit breaker does not hold to either the OFF or ON position, please replace it immediately. Unfortunately, it is not serving you anymore! A circuit breaker should make a definitive click when you turn it ON.
Given the technology advancement the market is offering every year, if your circuit breakers are older, we recommend you replace them. Nowadays, the circuit breakers are faster in terms of response, and more accurate when it comes to differentiating normal and abnormal circuits. Hence you enjoy better protection with a circuit breaker made in 2020 than one made in 2010.
How Do Circuit breakers work
Whenever the rated current in your home circuit exceeds the rated current, the circuit breaker switches off the power. But how does circuit breaker make this happen? Circuit breakers have a bi-metal inbuilt that changes characteristics based on the temperature of the circuit. Temperature is proportional to the power flowing to the circuit.
When too much power is drawn, the bi-metal will cause the circuit breaker to trip, hence opening the circuit and cutting off the flow of electrical power.
A loose connection may also cause a build up of heat. This heat is eventually transferred to the bi-metal inside the circuit breaker causing it to trip. That is why you should always ensure that the terminal connections are tight.
Disadvantages of a bad Circuit breaker
Well, the worst I can think of is your house catching fire. The arching that can be as a result of a faulty circuit breaker can result into fire.
Second worse scenario; you can loose one of your home appliance due to too much electrical power that the circuit breaker has not shut off. And then you have to buy another one.
Personally, circuit breakers have saved me a lot of trouble and dollars.
How to Tell if a Surge Protector is Bad
For most surge protectors, it is easy to tell when they are faulty by looking at the diagnostics LED. If you are interested in whole house surge protector, please check our full reviews.