Worn out breakers

[AC\DC]

I got service request that an HVAC contractor requested breakers changed out because they were worn out. How does one gauge that unless the handle like sloppy? I don’t know how you can say they’re worn out.

 

[xformer]

Is the paint on the handle indicating amperage rubbed off or missing?

 

[jim dungar]

I have never heard of general use branch breakers wearing out. 1 pole 15A and 20A breakers are often switching duty rated (SWD) which means they pass the same test as light switches.

There are few old or cheap brands, like Pushmatic, where they don't stay closed when turned On, but nothing that causes breakers to trip easily. The bimetal used in breakers doesn't deflect enough to change its characteristic, just like thermostats can last forever.

But hey, as long as they are paying you there is no reason to argue with them.

 

[AC\DC]

I can’t believe Hvac guys they must just slammed their heads to make money. He just has to reset the breaker tripped from the previous unit short now and he never reset it.

 

[AC\DC]

I have never heard of general use branch breakers wearing out. 1 pole 15A and 20A breakers are often switching duty rated (SWD) which means they pass the same test as light switches.

There are few old or cheap brands, like Pushmatic, where they don't stay closed when turned On, but nothing that causes breakers to trip easily. The bimetal used in breakers doesn't deflect enough to change its characteristic, just like thermostats can last forever.

But hey, as long as they are paying you there is no reason to argue with them.

That takes the money and run I get it, but I wouldn’t want someone to do it to me so I don’t do it to other people. I’ll tell him honestly there’s no need to change it and there wasn’t.

 

[Fred B]

Most MFG indicate breaker life span of between 30 - 40 years. That would mean anything installed before 1985 is due to be replaced.

 

[AC\DC]

Yes—— they also want to sell them so got to judge- if they were made well they should last a long time—— people here have posted Edison bulbs still working and my led does on a year —- older stuff is just built better

 

[jim dungar]

Most MFG indicate breaker life span of between 30 - 40 years. That would mean anything installed before 1985 is due to be replaced.

I have never heard of this.
I worked for and sold Square D products for almost 30 years and never used this as a suggestion to make sales.

 

[ptonsparky]

Check FOP under load.
Cycle them Off/On a few times with no load.
Check FOP under load.

Make a decision.

 

[Jraef]

Most MFG indicate breaker life span of between 30 - 40 years. That would mean anything installed before 1985 is due to be replaced.

I don’t think that is based on anything other than marketing agenda…

When I worked for Siemens for the breaker division, this issue came up several times (albeit for industrial breakers). Nobody could tell me where that 40 year determination came from and I found no documentation of it (in the places I had access to). Yet everyone just repeated it when asked.

 

[Jraef]

I have had a GE THQ 100A main breaker nuisance trip on me, many times. I had added AC where there wasn’t one, but then the customer had added a 50A hot tub circuit on their own, so between those two new loads and the dryer, oven and water heater all came on at the same time, they kept tripping the main. They said it had probably tripped more than 20 times. I got there to upgrade their service, but it was underground and the utility wanted almost $20k just to trench to their house from the nearest transformer vault. So I talked them into gas appliances, that way they could live with the 100A service they had. That main kept tripping though, even though it was only pulling around 70A worst case. Replaced it and the problem went away. I attributed it to “thermal memory” on the bimetal sensor, from repeated tripping and although several people have since tried to debunk that, I still think it’s the best explanation.