220 breaker off, still live


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Old 07-01-15, 09:18 PM
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220 breaker off, still live

I'm working on a well pump problem--pump won't turn on. We replaced the pump 6 months ago, so I'm hoping it's not that.

Anyway, uncapped the wires leading down to the pump and put my voltage tester on the red and black wires coming from the fuse box. With the breaker off I'm getting 105v. With it on I'm getting the same voltage. I know I have the right breaker off because I replaced the pump earlier this year.

Can a breaker be in the shut off position and still be live?

For the record, I placed the voltage tester on the 220 30 amp breaker in the house and both poles are fine.

Thanks.
 
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Old 07-01-15, 09:53 PM
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What does each leg of the breaker read to neutral?

Tech note: It is a 240 not 220 breaker.
 
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Old 07-01-15, 10:04 PM
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119v

Thanks for the correction.
 
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Old 07-02-15, 06:16 AM
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For the record, I placed the voltage tester on the 220 30 amp breaker in the house and both poles are fine.
Assuming that test was with the breaker turned on, what voltage reading did you get? Try that test again with the breaker turned off, what voltage do you get? It should be 0. This should tell you if you have a bad breaker or not.

uncapped the wires leading down to the pump and put my voltage tester on the red and black wires coming from the fuse box. With the breaker off I'm getting 105v.
Once you have verified the breaker is good, do this test again. Also, check each leg to ground.
 
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Old 07-03-15, 04:50 AM
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Ray,Technically shouldn't it be 125/250 I have never seen fuses or breakers rated as 120/240, it's strange that there is never any deviation from 277/480.

Just Saying!
Geo
 
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Old 07-03-15, 04:59 AM
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Standard voltages are 120, 208, 240, 277, 347, 480, and 600.

The ratings you will find on equipment will be the same, or higher, then nominal voltages. You use 600 volt rated fuses/disconnects for 277/480 volt systems.
 
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Old 07-03-15, 10:55 AM
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Ray,Technically shouldn't it be 125/250 I have never seen fuses or breakers rated as 120/240
Receptacles are usually rated 125/250, but the typical plug-in circuit breaker commonly used in a loadcenter for residential or light commercial use is always rated 120, 120/240 or just 240 depending on the applcation of the breaker.
 
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Old 07-03-15, 04:13 PM
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OK Joe, you win, based on the nominal voltages bring generated, good point.

Geo
 
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Old 07-03-15, 07:00 PM
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No Geo, I haven't won anything or my bank balance would have gone up! You also bring a lot of good points to the table so let's leave it at that. And, remember to be safe this weekend!
 
 

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