Found this out one of the teachers demonstated how they tried to get a tripping breaker to "hold". It was a circuit to a fan with a locked-rotor, the guy held the breaker handle closed and looked at me going "See? It just won't stay for some reason." while the breaker hummed and crackled and started spitting sparks.
That's a prime example of a Darwin Award candidate. Try that cute stunt with the fact that POCO's have updated transformers and feeders to meet the higher demand, which makes the available short circuit current a lot higher (probably higher than the older equipment was designed for) and you're more likely to have that breaker explode in your face!! Followed by the entire panel going up.
That's why I always stand to one side and don't look at the panel when actuating breakers, fault or no fault.
