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    Testing To See If A Circuit Breaker Is Bad

    How To Tell If A Circuit Breaker Is Bad

    According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), roughly 51,000 buildings per year catch fire due to some type of electrical failure. Bad circuit breakers play a substantial role in these occurrences, as they can cause significant electrical fires with the potential to engulf a building rapidly.

    You must immediately address faulty components since circuit breakers play a vital role in regulating energy flow within your building.

    As such, it is vital to understand the basics of circuit breakers: how long they last, how to tell if a circuit breaker is bad, and other details surrounding this critical electrical component. If you’d like to learn more about the technicalities of circuit breakers and their lifespan, consider the following:

     

    How Long Do Circuit Breakers Last?

    According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC), circuit breakers usually last between 30 and 40 years, but this number may fluctuate due to several factors. Any issues associated with electricity, such as poor power rating or shifting voltages, may affect the lifespan of your electrical breaker. 

    There are several signs that a circuit breaker might exhibit that indicate the breaker has gone bad. If you notice signs of a faulty circuit breaker, it is best to address the problem right away to prevent injury and property damage. 

    Although some signs may seem like usual occurrences, any recurring symptoms may point to faults in your electrical system that you or an electrician need to handle. 

     

    What Are The Signs Of A Bad Circuit Breaker?

    A faulty circuit breaker presents several concerns from a safety, efficiency, and cost-related standpoint. If you fail to address a defective circuit breaker, electrical issues can occur, potentially leading to costly repairs and problems.

     

    Fried Circuit Breaker

     

    Signs of a faulty circuit breaker can include:

    • Blinking or flickering lights in your building
    • Poor performance or interruptions when using appliances
    • Burning smell from your panel or that has no identifiable source
    • You frequently need to replace lightbulbs, as they burn out quickly 
    • The breakers in your building may trip frequently 
    • Heat emanating from the breaker during electrical issues 
    • Physical damage, such as melted wiring or scorch marks. 

    If you notice any of these symptoms, you need to locate and repair the problem immediately. 

     

    What Happens If A Circuit Breaker Is Bad?

    Malfunctioning circuit breakers can result in electrical fires. The warning signs mentioned above indicate that you should address a bad breaker immediately. Circuit breakers are designed to restrict electricity flow to your building to prevent overheating a circuit. When a breaker fails, it can cause a circuit to overheat, resulting in an electrical fire.

    A sure sign of an overheating circuit is a breaker that continually trips. If this happens in your building, don’t simply continue resetting it, as it’ll eventually give out and stop tripping altogether. Instead, you may need to diagnose the issue and possibly replace the breaker. Also, burning and melting plastic odors may point to loose connections or old, failing wiring. They can cause a short circuit, which may result in a small fire. 

    In addition, outdated wiring may not handle modern appliances and machines that consume more energy than their previous counterparts. As a result, the appliances may lead to an electrical overload, which could easily cause overheating to the old wiring and electrical fires on surrounding items. 

     

    Why Is It Important To Know If Your Circuit Breaker Is Bad?

    First and foremost, a bad circuit breaker is a danger to everyone in your building. You need to ensure you handle bad breakers immediately because they can become a significant fire hazard with potentially catastrophic results if left unchecked. 

    Loose connections or failing wiring can lead to arcing and sparking, which may result in an electrical fire in the worst-case scenario and discoloring on switches and outlets in the best-case scenario.

    In addition, failed circuit breakers don’t function at optimal efficiency, leading to suboptimal electrical behavior in your building. Whether it is a breaker that is constantly tripping, flickering lights, or equipment that isn’t getting constant power, a bad breaker can be disruptive. 

    Federal Pacific Electric was a common breaker brand in buildings and buildings built before 1990. These breakers are notorious for failing to trip, resulting in overheating wiring that could ignite. Experts advise that building owners with these breakers should have an electrician evaluate and replace these systems as necessary since they are known to malfunction. 

     

    How To Tell If A Circuit Breaker Is Bad | Key Indicators

    If you question whether your circuit breaker is failing, you can test it to be sure. Testing a circuit breaker is not difficult, but it does take some time. 

    To start, unplug all of the electronics connected to the circuit. If you are unsure which breaker it is, ensure that nothing is plugged in near your workspace. 

    Next, remove the breaker panel. Then, have your necessary tools handy, and remember to wear electric safety gloves. Next, remove the panel that spans the entire breaker system. It may be held in place by a handheld lock or screws. Again, remember to use caution when removing the panel so you do not damage it. 

    For this next step, have a multimeter prepared. First, connect the black wire to the COM slot of the multimeter and the red wire to the slot marked with the Omega symbol (for Ohms or resistance) and the letter V (for voltage). Next, connect the testing tip of the red wire to the screw holding each breaker handle. 

    While you do that, hold the end of the black wire to the circuit breaker’s neutral bar. The specifications of each breaker may vary, but the multimeter should read between 120 and 250 volts. The reading may vary based on whether it is a single-pole or double-pole breaker. If the multimeter reading is zero, you need to replace the faulty breaker immediately, as it is prone to causing electric accidents. 

     

    How to Replace a Bad Circuit Breaker 

    When you’re sure you have a bad circuit breaker, you should replace it immediately. Replacements usually take less than 30 minutes if you have a good understanding of the process.

    Before you start, you’ll need:

    First, shut off the main power by flipping the main circuit breaker to the off position. Doing so should kill power to each of the branch circuits. You’ll probably have no overhead lighting when completing this project, so use your flashlight to illuminate your workspace and remove the panel cover. 

    Shut off the old breaker by flipping the reset lever into the off position, then remove the old circuit breaker. Refrain from touching any metal parts while replacing the breaker.

    Once you have the old circuit breaker out, disconnect the wires by unscrewing the screw terminal that holds the wire. Set the new breaker to the off position, then attach the wires to the replacement. Insert the new breaker into the holder clip on the breaker panel, and push it into place, ensuring it clicks as it snaps into its spot. 

    Lastly, replace the power and turn the main circuit power back on. Verify that the new circuit breaker is working by testing the outlets and fixtures powered by the circuit.

     

    Conclusion 

    Overall, circuit breakers play a vital role in electrical systems. However, poorly functioning breakers can cause significant problems, presenting electrical hazards to building occupants and inconveniences in electrical service. Therefore, building owners need to immediately handle faulty circuit breakers to prevent dangerous and inconvenient situations. 

    If you are unsure whether your circuit breaker has gone bad or is failing or needs a replacement, you can test it yourself. However, you will need specific equipment and a solid understanding of electrical concepts. 

    Since replacing a circuit breaker involves hands-on work within the main circuit breaker panel, the potential for fatal shock is present. If you aren’t comfortable completing this project, call in an electrician. They are well versed in rules and regulations surrounding circuit breakers, including AFCI and GFCI requirements, and can ensure that the installation meets the proper electrical code requirements.