Headless_donkey Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 The main breaker of my house keeps tripping. I need an electrician to figure it out. I don't want to get rid of a tank! Thanks James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 How big is the main breaker? (amps?) I seriously doubt you are anywhere near the main breaker capacity in usuage so there must be something wired wrong somewhere or you are pulling too much current. There is always a possibility your main breaker is going bad. They are rated for 10 zillion years, but lemons are out there. Are there any symptoms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph9123 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I replace three main breakers and three outlet where the fish tanks are located. The electrician said the old breakers are old model and was the reason for the trip. Just a thought, to replace outlet and breakers. -Joseph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headless_donkey Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 -120 amps -I can not replace the main breaker myself. That is pretty big current coming from the pole. I have read that they go bad. I have also read if you have one leg of the electricity overloaded it will trip. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 It is really not that hard to replace the main breaker James. Just pop the box cover off, pull the main breaker, and plug a new on in. There is no way you are pulling that much current, so it has to be a bad circuit, a bad main breaker, or maybe moisture in the box (is it exposed to weather?). Is it still doing it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+dapettit Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I had and electrican put in two dedicated outlets each on there own breaker for my tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmanning Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Smart move Dave!...My husband has to do the same thing with our breaker. It's an older home so therefore, we had to re-wire and update the outlets. This parts were ancient, he gets upset at the fact that some of this older homes can ever go thru inspection---- fire hazardous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Well keep in mind much of the wiring was considered safe at the time. I have actually seen a house with porcelain knob and tube style wiring. Talk about terrifying. If your house was built in the 50's or before chances are there just wasn't enough electical demand to justify wiring the house will a decent (by todays standards) electrical system. My old house had six circuits and no main breaker and I had to rewire the entire house to get it decent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headless_donkey Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 My house was built in '83. I really think the main breaker is bad or one leg is overloaded. If one leg is overloaded then the subpanel can be slightly rewired. I don't feel comfortable doing either. It only happens when the washer, dryer, a/c, and all the tanks are going. I think I found someone to help. I will have them come take a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Is the Dryer electric? If so it should be pulling off both legs of the main box. That might be an issue if they put them both on the same side. You would think you would have noticed it before now though. My guess is still the main breaker since not much else has changed. I know you redid your tank setup in some way, but I cannot imagine you added that much equipment to make a noticable difference. How it works out for you James! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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