breaker burns out without tripping ????


  #1  
Old 11-17-09, 05:57 PM
J
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 4
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
breaker burns out without tripping ????

i have washer/dryer connected to one breaker which 20 A.
but when i start washer/dryer together that breaker burns out without even tripping or anything,

i replaced that breaker like 2-3 times since i moved in this house (3 years). can any tell me what is the reason ?
 
  #2  
Old 11-17-09, 06:05 PM
F
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: NE Wis / Paris France{ In France for now }
Posts: 4,364
Upvotes: 0
Received 2 Upvotes on 2 Posts
I will need little more info with washer dryer is the dryer is gaz unit right ?

If this is electric dryer then you must have this on it own circuit no question asked.

What brand breaker name you have on the load centre I know at least two brand name are troublesome.

The most common curpit is improper breaker type or installed wrong.

Merci,Marc
 
  #3  
Old 11-17-09, 07:28 PM
Tolyn Ironhand's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 14,332
Received 877 Upvotes on 740 Posts
How do you determine the breaker is burned out?

If you truly have replaced 3 burned out breakers I suggest taking a look at the buss bar on the panel as it may be badly pitted.
 
  #4  
Old 11-18-09, 03:55 AM
J
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 4
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
found out more details. drier breaker is the issue,
i am using cutler-hammer 120 V breaker.

to answer Tolyn's question, when i start drier and sit in basement, i start smelling burning smell, then i open the panel and see that Hot burned out breaker which is connected to drier,
first time i thought it was my mistake, but then i had to change 3-4 times till now.. that's why i am thinking there is some issue.

should i call electrician or there is something i can check by myself.
Thanks for helping,
 
  #5  
Old 11-18-09, 04:12 AM
chandler's Avatar
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 36,607
Upvotes: 0
Received 9 Upvotes on 8 Posts
I find it difficult to believe your dryer is operating off 120 volts. Normally they are 240 volts, operating off a double 30 amp breaker. If that is the case, and you have it wired to a single breaker and the buss bar, then you truly will burn things up. If you are not familiar with the workings inside the breaker panel, then you should call an electrician to get it right. I wouldn't want you to start a fire. Confirm with us the voltage requirements of the dryer. Is is gas or electric?
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: