Breaker ?

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Ok, I have an older mobile home with the 100Amp. service in the breaker box in the trailer.<br />It has became loose somehow and is starting to "kick" off.<br />What I'm wondering is if it maybe is loosing contact and arcing somehow and heating up and breaking?<br />Can someone give me some input on this?<br />I am going over there later today.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Breaker ?

When you say loose, do you actually mean it's wobbling in the panel? If so, then it's almost definitely the problem. Loose contacts even if they don't arc are warm contacts, and warm brakers trip. Afterall, thats how they work. <br />Check the breaker & panel for a tag that says what torque to use on the breaker contacts. They've got to be real tight. Naturally, don't work on a live panel unless you really know what you're doing.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Breaker ?

Thaks Paul, yea loose as in wiggle loose.<br />I had the people turn everything off but 1 small 220 heater and it still does it.<br />Yea, I have a master cut-off outside to turn it all off.<br /><br />I am going over later on and see what is going on for sure, but I figure a new 100 amp. breaker for sure.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Breaker ?

Originally posted by SBN:<br /> Ok, I have an older mobile home with the 100Amp. service in the breaker box in the trailer.<br />It has became loose somehow and is starting to "kick" off.<br />What I'm wondering is if it maybe is loosing contact and arcing somehow and heating up and breaking?<br />Can someone give me some input on this?<br />I am going over there later today.<br /><br />Thanks.

I think you got it SBN. They do heat up and lose their 'grip'. Pull it out and check the contacts in the box and if all looks good, just replace the breaker.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Breaker ?

A sidenote, if it was an individual breaker bad, it would kick before the 100 amp'er would, right?<br />Not saying there is one cause none of them kick, just the main.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Breaker ?

Make sure to check the lugs for the wires for tightness as well as the hold down mechanism. If the wires are aluminum, make sure to use an anti-oxidizing compound on them before re-tightening or if you have to replace the breaker.

 

[bootle]

Re: Breaker ?

Caution is the word for today spinner, don't get a new hair style

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Breaker ?

Just got back. The 100 amp'er's hold down lugs were loose and the breaker was getting hot and kicking I guess.<br />It was an old Murray box and was surprised that the local Ace hardware had a breaker for it.<br /><br />Put it in and turned everything on and when I left all breakers were just as cold as they were when I turned everything back on so we shall see.<br /><br />Thanks all.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Breaker ?

Good deal Spinner.<br /><br />Surprises me the Ace had one too! Bonus!

 

[heycods]

Re: Breaker ?

You need an amprobe to see how many amps are actually being pulled on the aft side of the 100 amp braker, something may have a short. It should trip the inside breaker for the shorted circut. But that dont mean you dont have squirrel damage or something to the main feed betwen the house breaker and the main 100 amp breaker.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Breaker ?

Well, I talked to the people at 1am and all is still okie dokie, no warm breakers or anything so I hope I got it.<br />The old one sure had some loose lugs on it.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Breaker ?

Originally posted by SBN:<br /> Well, I talked to the people at 1am and all is still okie dokie, no warm breakers or anything so I hope I got it.<br />The old one sure had some loose lugs on it.

Yes SBN, tis the nature of the beast. You know how it is when we, er ah, they get old.