heat element

[mannyb]

Today had a service call at restaurant and heat strip at plate warmer station
trippping breaker, checked temp buttom ok removed strip from circuit it stop tripping
reconnected it started tripping breaker again. I checked ohms on heat element seemed
ok. I connected heat strip direct to breaker it stayed on. Reconnected to strip it stopped
working. Any ideas?

 

[augie47]

when you connected the strip directly to the breaker was it mounted the same as always ?

 

[jeremysterling]

I worked on one of these the other day. Tripping the breaker. It was on a BR230. Nameplate amps at 23.9A. The ampclamp says 23.7A @ 211V. Must be the 80% breaker.

I replaced the "infinite switch" thermostat and the breaker. The breaker was about three years old. This fix will probably work for a year or two. As soon as lunch starts they crank the switch to max where it stays the rest of the day.

 

[mannyb]

when you connected the strip directly to the breaker was it mounted the same as always ?

No the heat element was laying on ground under no strain.

 

[augie47]

Is it possible that when the heating element is mounted you have leakage current to the surface on which it is mounted.
(might need a megger to check)

 

[mannyb]

No the heat element was laying on ground under no strain.

I could hear the conduit rattle when I turned on breaker. Before I took it apart.

 

[mannyb]

Is it possible that when the heating element is mounted you have leakage current to the surface on which it is mounted.
(might need a megger to check)

I took heat element to repair shop the guys there said it maybe under stress when installed
weaking layers inside element. I hope when I go install new ones tomorrow it doesnt trip
or i'll look pretty stupid.

 

[LarryFine]

when you connected the strip directly to the breaker was it mounted the same as always ?

Not to mention, grounded?

Measure resistance between each lead and the housing.