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Message
re: Breakers randomly tripping
Posted on 12/25/23 at 9:31 am to cassopher
Posted on 12/25/23 at 9:31 am to cassopher
quote:
It is a 15 amp arc fault breaker
Like others have said and just like a GFCI outlet, these can become more sensitive over time and trip randomly. And in my personal experience, I’ve found GFCIs that trip continuously get more sensitive.
In my previous home (2003 build) it had 3 arc fault breakers, one per bedroom. My Dyson vacuum would trip one of them every 2nd or 3rd time I turned it on. And after dealing with that a few times it tripped every time I turned it on. Replaced the original breakers with Siemens arc fault replacements and they worked fine. If I had replaced with a standard breaker I probably wouldn’t have had an issue but just putting new breakers in for those old AFCI breakers solved the issue.
So in summary, I would replace the breakers first. If the problem persists with fresh breakers your problem is more complex.
0
Posted on 12/25/23 at 3:39 pm to cassopher
quote:
arc fault breaker
This is your problem. Arc fault breakers are required to pass code. I replace them with a regular breaker the first time it trips.
Posted on 12/25/23 at 6:20 pm to bee Rye
quote:I didn't wire the house it was built in 2020. I just checked them again and they are both on breakers with the little button on them. Square D. I dunno. The house fridge hasn't tripped in a while but the outdoor one does every couple months. Maybe it's wired on a circuit with the GFI outlets of the outdoor kitchen? We have 2 panels 400A total and everything is filled. The electrician did tell me that he has trouble with larger fridges like Sub Zero etc and the arc fault breakers and he'd switch to a regular breaker if the problem persisted. Some breakers have white buttons and some purple.
The outdoor fridge still doesn’t require an arc fault. And unless your home was built in the last 6 months or so, your indoor fridge didn’t either.
This post was edited on 12/25/23 at 6:26 pm
Posted on 12/25/23 at 7:35 pm to achenator
A GFI breaker has a button on it as well.
Purple is a GFI/arcfault combo if it's sqd.
Purple is a GFI/arcfault combo if it's sqd.
Posted on 12/25/23 at 7:38 pm to cassopher
I built my house 4 years ago. I needed arc fault breakers to pass inspection. THEY SUCK!!!!! They are very sensitive and seemed to trip for no reason. Over the past couple years I have changed out every breaker back to the old breaker. No issues. Gave my brother in law all my arc faults for his new house and inspection.
Posted on 12/26/23 at 7:41 am to achenator
quote:good lord.
We have 2 panels 400A total and everything is filled.
my house, carport and barn all run on 150A and I have plenty of panel spaces left over
is what it is but 400A single phase is a huge residential draw. How much is your power bill?
This post was edited on 12/26/23 at 7:43 am
Posted on 12/26/23 at 10:13 am to cgrand
quote:
2 panels 400A total and everything is filled
when I read that I thought I this was the OT and it was one of those subtle baller brags. Posted on 12/26/23 at 2:24 pm to cgrand
quote:house is 4000/5900. We have 3 ac units and the 1100 sq ft garage has its own 2.5 ton unit. Pool, commercial range, ice maker, seperate fridge and freezer, outdoor fridge etc. Lots of outdoor lighting etc. I remember being shocked when they told me I had to buy -‘400A switch for the generator because it was a good bit more than the original quote. Out bill runs about 5-600 in the summer, last month was 200.
good lord. my house, carport and barn all run on 150A and I have plenty of panel spaces left over is what it is but 400A single phase is a huge residential draw. How much is your power bill?
Posted on 12/26/23 at 6:52 pm to achenator
quote:better you than me LOL
Out bill runs about 5-600 in the summer
I’m sure it’s nice but the builder really should have designed around a more manageable electrical situation. 400A single phase is ridiculous. We don’t even do that on commercial projects
too late now but 3 phase would have been a more responsible design assuming your utility company would allow it
anyway, with all that load I’m not surprised you are tripping breakers. Replace your arc fault breakers with regular breakers, square D breakers will fit in most panels (square D, GE, etc) and look and make sure everything is grounded correctly
Posted on 12/26/23 at 6:56 pm to achenator
quote:did you change user names in the middle of this thread
achenator
Posted on 12/26/23 at 7:20 pm to cgrand
quote:thanks. Just kind of told the architect and designers what we wanted along with the builder and that's what came out in the wash. I just looked and we do have 2 blank spaces in one of the panels. We wanted to future proof for electric car chargers and stuff like that. I have a network rack with a bunch of junk in it (8 sonos amps for instance) that i'm sure are a decent draw. I have a plumbed in pressure washer in the garage for washing cars that's on it's own 20A circuit so there is some definite overkill in places. Although there's almost
better you than me LOL
I’m sure it’s nice but the builder really should have designed around a more manageable electrical situation. 400A single phase is ridiculous. We don’t even do that on commercial projects
too late now but 3 phase would have been a more responsible design assuming your utility company would allow it
anyway, with all that load I’m not surprised you are tripping breakers. Replace your arc fault breakers with regular breakers, square D breakers will fit in most panels (square D, GE, etc) and look and make sure everything is grounded correctly
always someone here my biggest worry is the one tripping for the main fridge or freezer while we are out of town and coming home to a gross mess. Right now we have an older dog so someone stays with her but when she passes on I'll have to be more serious about taking care of any tripping breakers. As far as the bill goes, our last house was built in 2003 about the same size and I saw some real whoppers even back in 2012-2019 in August and Sept. I'm happy with 350-400 average with this house with someone always here and we leave shite on all over the place lol. I doubt 3 phase would have been an option in our development.
This post was edited on 12/26/23 at 7:43 pm
Posted on 12/26/23 at 7:23 pm to cgrand
quote:no sir lol
did you change user names in the middle of this thread
Posted on 12/26/23 at 9:25 pm to cgrand
quote:if you change your breakers, match the damn panel, don’t just throw whatever will fit in there. You are already opening yourself to your insurer denying a fire claim for having non arc faults, but if you throw in some unlisted breakers you are making it easy for them
Replace your arc fault breakers with regular breakers, square D breakers will fit in most panels (square D, GE, etc) and look and make sure everything is grounded correctly
Posted on 12/27/23 at 8:04 am to achenator
quote:
Out bill runs about 5-600 in the summer, last month was 200.
Ours is a usually half again more than yours.
I have a freezer in my garage. Bought it a couple of years ago. I had to remove the GCFI. Old chest freezer was fine but the new stand up freezer would constantly trip it.
Posted on 12/28/23 at 7:10 pm to bee Rye
quote:
Everyone wants to blame the breakers, buts it’s most likely something like shitty Chinese chargers or a frayed vacuum cord that is causing your breakers to trip correctly
This was what happened to me. Several people said “bad breaker”. Turned out it was an overhead light that had been damaged.
Posted on 12/30/23 at 1:48 am to cassopher
quote:
Today the same breaker tripped and at the same time our daughter’s bedroom tripped. It is also a 15 amp arc fault breaker and the only things it has is TV and streaming device, cell charger, printer etc.
Many times an Arc Fault will trip when a vacuum cleaner is used. The change in motor pull / amp change , will trip them. If you change out to regular breaker, keep the arc fault, you may be required to reinstall to sell your house.
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