Arc-Fault breaker

Status
Not open for further replies.
Since it doesn't seem to take too long for it to trip, see if you can talk your customer into letting you disconnect all but the first receptacle. If it does not trip after the normal period it's been taking, it probally is not the breaker.
Move to the center of the circuit and try again, and so on. At least if it is the circuit, you will be able to narrow it down.
 
What about just changing out the breaker? I know they are expensive, but how many times have you had to go back? If it fixes the problem, then you're done. Or is there something more for me to learn here? Just curious...
 
I have yet to have a problem with any of them that I personally wired and installed, but have heard many others that have had problems. The owner of the company I work for, sent me to his dads newly remodeled house, he was having issues with the arc faults tripping. One circuit they had the wrong neutral tied to the breaker, the other circuit had two problems, the first one I found, was the insulators had run a staple through the cable, hitting only the ground and the neutral. Located that behind sheetrock within 1" with my trusty current tracer. Then found a ground and neutral touching in a box crammed full of wires in the bathroom. So far (knock on wood) I have not come across a bad breaker yet!
 
Well I changed the breaker yesterday and so far, so good but HO went flishing. If it trips he probably call today. My game will be separate the receptacles to pin point. I first want to megger the cable from the basement to the attic. The rest of the cable is in plain view laying in the attic.
 
Have not heard from him. But why would that breaker go bad after 6 months. They hardly had anything plugged into it. My guess is the old fan cause it to trip in the first place then it just went bad. Any thoughts? One series fault trip and breaker goes bad, just can't believe it.
 
I've had Arc Faults from more than one of the top manufacturers go bad after less than a year. Also, had a sales rep tell me one time that if you stack the breakers or place them directly across from one another they will nuisance trip (due to a buildup of heat from the breakers). Since I've started to stagger them through the panel I've had zero problems.

Just my 2 cents:wink:
 
arossi said:
I've had Arc Faults from more than one of the top manufacturers go bad after less than a year. Also, had a sales rep tell me one time that if you stack the breakers or place them directly across from one another they will nuisance trip (due to a buildup of heat from the breakers). Since I've started to stagger them through the panel I've had zero problems.

Just my 2 cents:wink:
Click to expand...

They do create a large amount of heat with very little load, If you ever take one apart, you will see a printed circuit board inside. I replaced six panelboards full of them (42 each) in a assisted living center, Siemens warranted all of them though. Panels were very warm to touch with the highest load at 3 amps on one of the breakers.
 
We did a whole house with a brand that starts with a G. Most of the breakers tripped. We have used this panel for years. We have been putting AFCI in from the begining with no problems until they came out with AFCI 2. We also went thru all our wiring hoping it was us. It wasn't it's the darn breaker. We had another house under way and pulled the panel out and junked it since they would not take it back. We are also using a different brand. I hope it is better than the G. panel. Mike
 
arch faults

arch faults

We just finished a new house. We have been back a couple of times for tripping arch faults. I have taken out all devices . I havent found anything wrong. It might go 2 weeks without tripping. Any answers? The breaker is not overloaded.
 
did you check your neutrals in the panel, I have seen them crossed and that will cause a trip. Also heard that 4 wire with ground romex will cause this
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top