Breaker Keeps Tripping

01-10-2011, 10:57 PM	#16
3 legged dog MXer     Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: South West Coast Posts: 128	Breaker Keeps Tripping You have 60 amps worth of breakers and you are wondering why a 20 amp main trips?

Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. DIYChatroom.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any home improvement task!

01-10-2011, 11:05 PM	#17
mxingislife Member   Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: CA Posts: 57	Breaker Keeps Tripping Well, I'm wondering why the 20 AMP breaker at the main panel tripps when noone is home. Also, why/how would one 20 AMP breaker at the main panel be feeding to three 20 AMP breakers at the subpanel inside?

01-10-2011, 11:07 PM	#18
3 legged dog MXer     Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: South West Coast Posts: 128	Breaker Keeps Tripping The phases are most likely jumperd.

01-10-2011, 11:31 PM	#19
jlmran Member   Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 958	Breaker Keeps Tripping Quote: Originally Posted by mxingislife So there is now way to tell what size wire that is? Calipers

01-10-2011, 11:40 PM	#20
jbfan Electrical Contractor   Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Newnan GA Posts: 5,004	Breaker Keeps Tripping Quote: Originally Posted by 3 legged dog You have 60 amps worth of breakers and you are wondering why a 20 amp main trips? Adding the sum of the breakers has nothing to do with the load. __________________ Yes I am a Pirate, 200 years too late. "Jimmy Buffett"

01-10-2011, 11:57 PM	#21
3 legged dog MXer     Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: South West Coast Posts: 128	Breaker Keeps Tripping If 3 breakers have even 8 amp each, it could trip a 20 amp (single pole) main. Last edited by 3 legged dog; 01-11-2011 at 12:30 AM. Reason: Added (single pole)

01-11-2011, 07:32 AM	#22
Saturday Cowboy Scared Electrician     Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 715	Breaker Keeps Tripping Well we have a sub standard installation here. But the problem you wrote for help with: We either have a problem with shorting wiring or some load turning on in excess of rated OPCD By the way what does MIL stand for? I'm beginning to think that this is an occupied residence, for which I understand the separate meter __________________ Ragged Trousered Philanthropist Please follow the code - its there for your safety no matter how inconvenient. Last edited by Saturday Cowboy; 01-11-2011 at 07:36 AM.

01-11-2011, 07:42 AM	#23
Michael Thomas Chicago, IL     Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,037	Breaker Keeps Tripping Quote: Originally Posted by Saturday Cowboy .... How are all 3 breakers in sub panel on the same leg? Feeder "jumpered" across both sides of the buss? We need to see the inside of that load-side panel as well. __________________ Home Inspections, Infrared (Thermal Imaging) Leak Identification and Inspection Services, Roof, Attic, Building, Basement and Foundation Moisture Intrusion and Water Leak Inspections, Troubled Building Consultations - Serving Chicago and Suburbs To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-11-2011, 07:54 AM	#24
Saturday Cowboy Scared Electrician     Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 715	Breaker Keeps Tripping Quote: Originally Posted by Michael Thomas Feeder "jumpered" across both sides of the buss? We need to see the inside of that load-side panel as well. Yeah thats what I'm thinking. I frown on that practice __________________ Ragged Trousered Philanthropist Please follow the code - its there for your safety no matter how inconvenient.

01-11-2011, 11:16 AM	#25
mxingislife Member   Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: CA Posts: 57	Breaker Keeps Tripping MIL is mother-in-law unit. Yes, I rent it out to a friend of mine, that's why its on its own meter

01-11-2011, 12:31 PM	#26
jbfan Electrical Contractor   Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Newnan GA Posts: 5,004	Breaker Keeps Tripping Quote: Originally Posted by 3 legged dog If 3 breakers have even 8 amp each, it could trip a 20 amp (single pole) main. I agree, but that has nothing to do with your statement that he had 60 amps work of breakers and is the reason it trips. __________________ Yes I am a Pirate, 200 years too late. "Jimmy Buffett"

01-11-2011, 01:46 PM	#27
rditz Member     Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Lindsay, Ontario, Canada Posts: 271	Breaker Keeps Tripping Quote: Originally Posted by Saturday Cowboy "did anyone notice that the feed for the "shop" is landed on the buss lug and not a breaker. I noticed that also... not good... rod

01-11-2011, 05:17 PM	#28
mxingislife Member   Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: CA Posts: 57	Breaker Keeps Tripping Here are pics of the open subpanel

01-11-2011, 05:33 PM	#29
Sfeyelectric Member     Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 105	Breaker Keeps Tripping Do your friend a favor and have him move out, than call yourself an electrician to fix your problems. Don't know if it's even legal for you to work on this yourself as it is a rental unit. Did you do this electrical or was it like this prior?

01-11-2011, 05:48 PM	#30
mxingislife Member   Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: CA Posts: 57	Breaker Keeps Tripping It was already like this. Original wiring from 1951. The subpanel used to be on fuses but switched to breakers in 2009. Is this a safety issue?