I have had a few breakers go bad. Some even had been arcing on the box so the tabs the breaker plugs into are burnt. Check them and if that's the case DEFINITELY change breakers and move the breaker position. You may want to also change the box. If that's not the case, it might be a good idea to change the breaker anyway for good measure since it's so old. Another possibility is that there is a loose connection on the line with the air compressor.
To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
From: hackberrystudios@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:30:29 +0000
Subject: Re: [DIY] Tripping breaker workshop
To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
From: hackberrystudios@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:30:29 +0000
Subject: Re: [DIY] Tripping breaker workshop
I don't have an ammeter. The price of a new breaker is not to bad. I think I'll just break out the $25 and try replacing it. The connections are tight. It is just so uncommon in my experience for breaker to go bad. But as with any mechanical device you never know.
--- In DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com, S_Wilson <virtualwilz@...> wrote:
>
> The right thing to do is to use an ammeter on each line after the
> breaker. If its tripping on a low load, the breaker is likely bad. I've
> seen where loading a breaker to 80% or more of its capacity for long
> periods, they fail more than usual. More so if they have been exposed to
> really warm weather during the heavy loads.
> I've seen it several times where the breakers fail. But you won't be
> sure unless you can get some readings. A clamp style ammeter is a safe
> way to get amperage readings.
> Check all the connector lugs too. Be sure they are all tight and free of
> corrosion. Poor connections cause voltage drops and voltage drops cause
> amperage rise.
> be careful!
> Steve
>
> On 12/28/2011 11:27 AM, sirpackyderm wrote:
> >
> > The 60 amp breaker keeps tripping for the wood shop. Breaker is in the
> > house. Wood shop is an out building. The breakers in the wood shop
> > never trip. Only the main in the house.
> >
> > Box in the house is a 200 amp square D QO load center. Box in wood
> > shop is a 150 amp Square D QO load center moved from the house.
> > Conductors from the house to the wood shop are #2 AL rated for 100
> > amps buried.
> >
> > The breaker blows even when the load is no where near capacity. Today
> > only the compressor was running 1hp 220 volt and less that 700 watts
> > of lights. The other day it was only the lights.
> >
> > Is it possible the breaker is simply worn out? I do not know the age
> > of the breaker. But it is at least 21 years old. When I installed the
> > new service in 1990 some of the breaker were reused since we stayed
> > with Square D.
> >
> > If the shop is running full capacity there could be a 3hp saw, 2hp
> > dust collector, air compressor 1hp, and 1500 watts of light all at
> > once. But usually only one thing at a time unless the compressor kicks
> > on.
> >
> > Dale in the flat lands any thoughts?
> >
> >
>
--- In DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com, S_Wilson <virtualwilz@...> wrote:
>
> The right thing to do is to use an ammeter on each line after the
> breaker. If its tripping on a low load, the breaker is likely bad. I've
> seen where loading a breaker to 80% or more of its capacity for long
> periods, they fail more than usual. More so if they have been exposed to
> really warm weather during the heavy loads.
> I've seen it several times where the breakers fail. But you won't be
> sure unless you can get some readings. A clamp style ammeter is a safe
> way to get amperage readings.
> Check all the connector lugs too. Be sure they are all tight and free of
> corrosion. Poor connections cause voltage drops and voltage drops cause
> amperage rise.
> be careful!
> Steve
>
> On 12/28/2011 11:27 AM, sirpackyderm wrote:
> >
> > The 60 amp breaker keeps tripping for the wood shop. Breaker is in the
> > house. Wood shop is an out building. The breakers in the wood shop
> > never trip. Only the main in the house.
> >
> > Box in the house is a 200 amp square D QO load center. Box in wood
> > shop is a 150 amp Square D QO load center moved from the house.
> > Conductors from the house to the wood shop are #2 AL rated for 100
> > amps buried.
> >
> > The breaker blows even when the load is no where near capacity. Today
> > only the compressor was running 1hp 220 volt and less that 700 watts
> > of lights. The other day it was only the lights.
> >
> > Is it possible the breaker is simply worn out? I do not know the age
> > of the breaker. But it is at least 21 years old. When I installed the
> > new service in 1990 some of the breaker were reused since we stayed
> > with Square D.
> >
> > If the shop is running full capacity there could be a 3hp saw, 2hp
> > dust collector, air compressor 1hp, and 1500 watts of light all at
> > once. But usually only one thing at a time unless the compressor kicks
> > on.
> >
> > Dale in the flat lands any thoughts?
> >
> >
>
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