Tripped breaker? It happens. The question is: what do you do now? If you can’t get it back online, you’ll be stuck waiting for a repair or replacement.
At Bay Power, our technicians are troubleshooting experts, and we’ll help you diagnose your breaker problem fast so you can get up and running again pronto.
Troubleshooting 101: 5 Key Questions
When breakers fail, you need a proven process to identify the problem and fix it—fast. Don’t have one? Don’t worry! We’ve got a tried-and-true troubleshooting system and we’re going to pull back the curtain so you can use it too. You’re welcome.
Start with these 5 questions:
- Why did the breaker trip? Is there a problem in the electrical circuit or is the breaker itself going bad? Every time a breaker trips, it should be taken out of service and tested. If you know the breaker is good, then it is doing its job and the problem is in your system.
- How long has it been in service? Has the breaker been in service for twenty years with no problems or maintenance? If so, then it’s possible the breaker is wearing out. If you have just tested and replaced the breaker, then the problem is most likely in your system.
- What is the breaker’s amperage and application? Is this a 4000 amp industrial breaker or a small residential breaker? Residential molded case breakers should be discarded and replaced if they go bad. If it’s a large breaker, consider repairing it or purchasing a reconditioned replacement.
- Were you operating at full capacity? Were you operating with a 100% load? Did the breaker trip during startup? If so, it’s possible that the motor wasn’t cleaned well and the extra surge of power caused the breaker to trip.
- Have you recently added anything to that circuit? If you recently added something new to the circuit, you may have exceeded the circuit’s capacity causing the breaker to trip.
Still not sure what the problem is? We can help with that.
Common Circuit Breaker Problems
Circuit breakers trip for lots of reasons, including:
- Faulty trip unit
- Faulty current transformer (CT)
- Faulty contacts
- Faulty insulation
But it’s not always easy to diagnose the problem. That’s when you need to call Bay Power.
We’re experts at pinpointing the problem, and we provide fully tested, fully lubricated breakers that meet NEMA and NETA standards so you can get back to business.
Call us at 866-629-2461 for a quote!
