Hair dryer tripped breaker.


  #1  
Old 10-20-14, 06:43 AM
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Hair dryer tripped breaker.

Stayed with our son last weekend in his cabin. First time I ever brought my hair dryer (1600w) along to use (as I just normally let it air dry).

But when I went to use it, the breaker tripped (after a couple of seconds). There is only one outlet in the bathroom (near the sink). He has a 3 (or 4) bulb vanity light and a ceiling light/fan combo also and I'm guessing these are all on the same dedicated circuit?

I never checked to see what "size" the breaker was, just went and reset it (and didn't use the hair dryer after that!)

He has never said he's ever had an issue with the breaker tripping (but then he doesn't use a hair dryer either!)

Could this be something as simple as increasing the breaker size or would that be potentially dangerous?

We only visit him there twice a year, so it's not terribly important that it gets changed, I'm more just curious as I know nothing about electrical stuff (and neither does he and my hubby doesn't know much more than either of us).

Thanks for any input & hope you are all having an enjoyable day!
 
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Old 10-20-14, 07:15 AM
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Could this be something as simple as increasing the breaker size or would that be potentially dangerous?
No. The breaker was chosen to protect the size of the wire in the circuit and by today's codes should be a 20 amp breaker with #12 wire. Depending on the age of the cabin, it could even be a 15 amp circuit. I'd suggest just not using that hair dryer since you know it will be a problem. If the cabin is very old it would be unreasonable to expect it to meet all of today's codes.
 
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Old 10-20-14, 08:59 AM
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Thanks!

Thanks for the info! The cabin isn't very old (maybe less than a year??) Which is why I thought it strange for the breaker to trip. But I can't say for certain that it was "professionally" wired? I didn't ask and he never said, I just know it wasn't done by him!lol

Leaving the hair dryer at home won't be a problem, less to pack! :-)

Thanks again for the insight!
 
 

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