Circuit Breaker Testing Question

[Bob Kraemer]

Is there an in-expensive way to test circuit breakers for short circuit & overload conditions?
The reason I ask is I am remodeling an existing store for a new tenant. I accidentally shorted out a cable & the breaker didn't trip. In cases like this I would replace the breakers I am using, but these are bolt in style not stab in breakers, costing 5 times more for stab in breakers.
To me saftey isn't an issue, but cost is for the GC and the new tenant.
Any ideas?

 

[stew]

hope this sint a federala pacific breaker. probably wont ever trip even if you weld with it.sorry dont know of an inexpensive way to test.

 

[davidr43229]

I would call a Company like High Voltage Maintainence, or someone that comes out to your facility. Doesn't hurt to get a price.
Just my $.02

 

[don_resqcapt19]

The cost to test a small breaker like that would likely be far greater than the cost to replace it. There is a tester on the market for about $1k that will test the breaker trip point.
Don

 

[brian john]

We test circuit breakers, most small frame circuit breakers are cheaper to replace as noted. Typically if you bring me the circuit breaker, either to my shop or to a job site, we charge for a small frame breaker to be tested $270.00-$500.00.

I have six primary high current test sets the cost from $6500.00-$42,000.00.
In addition you should have a megger and Digital Low Resistance Ohm Meter (DLRO).

Small CBs are seldom micro-ohmed (DLRO) due to the size of the connection.

We have had jobs that specified all 20 amp CBs be tested. Most specify 100 amp or 200 amp and above.

Secondary injection test sets cost somewhere in between depending on the manufacture.