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#195229 07/19/10 01:32 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but a friend of mine is having a problem with an AFCI breaker that keeps tripping. They said that they have checked "Everything" but can't seem to solve the problem. Does anyone have a suggestion for him? I will send him to this website to read them.
This isn't the first time I have heard of problems, another 1-2 friends of mine also said that they too have problems with breakers tripping. Anyone else having these problems?

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harold endean #195230 07/19/10 02:44 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
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Harold & Friends:
How about a little backround on the situations and brands? It may help.

BTW, I have not heard of any issues, yet.




John
HotLine1 #195231 07/19/10 06:40 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
You could try a GFCI breaker as a test to see if this is an arc problem or just a ground fault.
I think there are some new breakers with lights that tell you this.


Greg Fretwell
gfretwell #195233 07/19/10 08:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,044
Tom Offline
Member
Cutler Hammer has, or will shortly have, an AFCI that can be used for troubleshooting, but only for their CH series panelboards. LED's will indicate if the breaker tripped on arc fault, short circuit, overload. You install it temporarily to get an indication what is causing the trip. When you're finished, you pull it out & take it with you.

If the breaker trips immediately, I'd suspect a ground fault problem, which could be neutral to ground or line to ground.

If the AFCI in question is a Cutler Hammer CH or BR, Cutler Hammer has a toll free number you can call for troubleshooting assistance.
1-800-326-9513



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Tom #195234 07/19/10 10:28 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
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I believe that Siemens has troubleshooting technology (indicating LED's) on it's AFCI CBs for quite some time.

Try scouting thru the Siemens (Resi) website.



John
HotLine1 #195235 07/20/10 11:08 AM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 356
Member
I have had as basic as a loose connection on the breaker screw that made the ARCfault trip.a tight screw made the tripping go away. Also, a shared neutral with another circuit down stream from the panel.
Faulty appliance may also cause the AFCI to trip.

Isolate the circuit, temporary and safely energize only one half and put a load on there and check results. then energize the other half and put a load on it. then work your way down to the troubled spot.






Be kind to your neighbor, he knows where you live

Niko #195237 07/21/10 09:40 AM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
John,

Sorry that I don't have much more info just yet, I have a call in to my friend to see if he can help me out with more info. It is his job in another town and he asked me for some help. I was going to get some helpful hints then tell him to look here on line get him to sign on and let us know what is happening.


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