September 03, 2019, 03:46 PM
V-TailQuestions for Skins Or Other Electricians
- Do circuit breakers fail in a mode that leaves the circuit without power, but with no external indication of failure?
- Is there a code requirement, or any other requirement, that circuit breakers in a breaker box be identified, as to what circuits they are controlling?
September 03, 2019, 04:28 PM
comet24Not an electrition but I have dealt the first issue a few times.
1. The breakers I have seen fail have always failed in the open(off) position. I've seen ones that you could tell by looking that they were bad. Obvious signs of heating/burning. Others that would just trip when you tried to turn them back on. Before you just replace such a breaker you need to figure out what caused it to go bad. Often there is another electrical problem.
September 03, 2019, 05:18 PM
ZSMICHAELquote:
Is there a code requirement, or any other requirement, that circuit breakers in a breaker box be identified, as to what circuits they are controlling?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
There should be. The fire inspector made a big deal about the fact that the breakers in my office were not clearly labelled. He went on about how that would make it hard for the Fire Department. He said it was standard commercial code for my area.
September 03, 2019, 05:27 PM
Skins2881They should indicate tripped. Bryant and some CHBR (newer Bryant ones made by Cutler Hammer) will often not have any visible indication, but they should. Unsure of why that is the case. If the breaker has failed it can end up in off, on, or tripped state.
Labeling - Any serviceable equipment or dedicated circuuts - furnace, hot water, dishwasher, disposal, A/C, etc. Kitchen, bath, and exterior GFIs. General lights and plugs are labeled as such with some indication of the area it serves (ex- Lights & Plugs - front bedrooms), but it may also serve a hall way plug or bathroom light as well, but it doesn't get labeled to that level of detail.
September 03, 2019, 05:32 PM
Chris42Bad breakers may also smell like burnt plastic before going bad. They might reset but then shortly trip again as well. Internal contacts can be pitted from arcing, causing a hot point at that spot and subsequent tripping.
September 03, 2019, 05:39 PM
PeteF1. Yes. Some breakers trip and do not go all the way to off position. Reseting requires turning off then back to on.
2. In my town, yes. Inspector made note that breakers were labeled.
Funny though, they were labeled but no check on if they actually controlled what was on the label
September 03, 2019, 05:43 PM
Edmondquote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
Is there a code requirement, or any other requirement, that circuit breakers in a breaker box be identified, as to what circuits they are controlling?
Yes. I have had new homes fail pre-power inspection because the breakers were not labeled.
September 04, 2019, 09:59 AM
sig operator1. Yes breakers can sometimes trip internally without the handle going to the tripped position.
2. Circuits should be identified. Amount of detail is pretty much left to inspector. Commercial buildings can have much stricter fire/life/safety codes even as much as having each receptacle marked as to what panel and breaker it is feed from.
September 04, 2019, 10:01 AM
selogicquote:
Originally posted by sig operator:
1. Yes breakers can sometimes trip internally without the handle going to the tripped position.
2. Circuits should be identified. Amount of detail is pretty much left to inspector. Commercial buildings can have much stricter fire/life/safety codes even down to feeder for each receptacle.
Nailed it .