How to find a short without a tripped breaker?
#1
08-17-15, 10:21 PM
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How to find a short without a tripped breaker?
Hi,
I tried to replace a broken power switch. I was supposed to turn off the specific breaker first. But that switch does not have a individual breaker. If I want to cut the power, I will have to turn off the main power source, which means every electrical devices will be dead. I don't want to do that.
So I took the risk doing it with the power on, "bang" and some sparks: the power was off and so were a few lights and ventilation fan.
My question is how to trace the short in the situation where no breaker connected.
Thanks in advance.
z_johnq
I tried to replace a broken power switch. I was supposed to turn off the specific breaker first. But that switch does not have a individual breaker. If I want to cut the power, I will have to turn off the main power source, which means every electrical devices will be dead. I don't want to do that.
So I took the risk doing it with the power on, "bang" and some sparks: the power was off and so were a few lights and ventilation fan.
My question is how to trace the short in the situation where no breaker connected.
Thanks in advance.
z_johnq
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#2
08-17-15, 11:01 PM
Ok... so after you shorted the switch what happened ? Did a breaker trip ?
Or are you saying nothing tripped and that part of the circuit is now dead?
Every device in the house MUST be on an individual breaker or you risk a fire hazard from overloaded/shorted wiring.
Or are you saying nothing tripped and that part of the circuit is now dead?
Every device in the house MUST be on an individual breaker or you risk a fire hazard from overloaded/shorted wiring.
#3
08-18-15, 06:02 AM
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"bang" and some sparks: the power was off and so were a few lights and ventilation fan.
#4
08-19-15, 06:41 AM
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Thanks guys. Yes. I thought a breaker should get tripped after the "bang" but it was not as I looked at the power panel. I agree with PJMax that Every device in the house MUST be on an individual breaker or you risk a fire hazard... but it's not what I got.
Can a breaker get loosed? I'll test it and let you know. Thanks again.
Can a breaker get loosed? I'll test it and let you know. Thanks again.
#5
08-19-15, 07:14 AM
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Is this a house that you own? How old is the electrical service?
#7
08-19-15, 06:43 PM
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Certainly not EVERY device is not on an individual circuit,you have several devices on a circuit,hence the reason some other lights ,fan etc. went out.
Geo
Geo
#8
08-20-15, 04:53 AM
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Yes, I own the house; it's not new no more, was built in 1980.
Thanks for the reminder that there might be another subpanel that I overlooked.
Btw, I checked and there is no loose breaker. None of them got tripped.
Thanks for the reminder that there might be another subpanel that I overlooked.
Btw, I checked and there is no loose breaker. None of them got tripped.
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