Circuit breaker problem

edscott

There is one outlet that I know of that is causing the circuit breaker to pop. This has happened multiple times, to where I have had to buy 2 new breakers over the last 4-5 years. When I replace the breaker with the new one and reinstall the panel cover, the breaker trips. When I take the cover off and turn the breaker back on, it stays on. Once I try to reinstall the cover again, the breaker trips again. If I leave the cover off, the breaker stays working.

Gac66610

Couple questions for you, does the breaker trip if you just hold the panel cover on or after you install the screws to hold it?
Have you (with the power off) pulled the receptacle out that you know caused the trip, just to make sure there was nothing wrong with it?

Dierte

Any chance you're hitting the wires for that circuit with your panel cover screws?

edscott

The cover can be held in place without the breaker tripping. Only when I screw the cover in place does the breaker trip. In the past I have had to gingerly place and screw the cover and it would be ok.

edscott

I have checked all of the wires that could be touched by the cover, but all wires look clear.

dmxtothemax

Try putting one washer on each screw that holds the panel on,
these would act as spacers, thus the panel should now not
put as much pressure on the breakers.
Then see if it holds up.

This will tell you if the problem is caused by undue pressure
on the breakers or not !
If it makes no difference, then the problem lies elsewhere.

rrolleston

Also are you using panel cover screws or some other type of sharp screws?

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edscott

I will try that. I should mention that today when I was checking the box I noticed that the breaker I replaced was not seated properly. It was out of level. I think the problem may be that when I tried to put the panel cover back on, I was pushing on the breaker. We are having a big snow storm over the next few days so I dont want to play with it until later in the weekend.

edscott

Using the panel screws that I took out. Mentioned to another post that I will not be doing anything with the box until after the snow storm which is going to hit us this weekend.

edscott

I will not be working on the breaker box until after the weekend. Big snow storm heading our way. I will continue with a new thread after the weekend. I believe I may have found a fix, which I explained in a previous post. I will start a new thread if I need to after the weekend.

Thanks to everyone for the information and aid you have provided.