re: How long should breakers last?

quote:

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I had a dual function AFCI/GFCI breaker that would spark when the microwave was running. This was a dedicated 20 amp circuit to the microwave. I replaced the breaker with a normal 20 amp breaker and no issues.

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I have done the same thing also but anyone thinking of doing this needs to consider the ramifications if the highly unlikely "bad" arc (something the industry cannot define) occurs and, again highly unlikely, causes damage or injures someone (almost a mathematical impossibility) they may find that their insurance carrier will not cover said damage or injury. I have tried and tried to find a case where this had happened and I can't find one BUT it is a common train of thought in the electrical industry. The problem would be that the carrier would have to prove that the policy holder knew the breaker had been swapped and that swapping the breaker lead to the damage or the injury. They would have a difficult time doing that but they wouldn't have a difficult time using it as an excuse not to pay for years while the policy holder is bankrupted or worse. I have done it but I would not do it for someone else and I fully understand that there is a very slim, insignificant chance that it could cause a problem.