Eaton 20A ARC FAULT BREAKER Logo
Posted on Jul 31, 2009
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Arc fault breaker trips sporadically

I have a new home (constructed 3 yrs ago) that has an arc fault breaker that runs the guest bathroom and one bedroom. Almost never use the guest bath and the bedroom has had no change in electrical use for the 3 yrs. 3 months ago the breaker tripped 3-4 times in a row with no explanation and then would not reset. Installed a new arc fault breaker and it worked fine, however issue now is that every 2-3 weeks it will trip whether I am in the bedroom/bathroom or not. Have checked light and light switch in bedroom, didn't see anything weird. Maybe bathroom fan or light? It has tripped even with nothing on in bathroom too. Any suggestions on where to start?

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Are there any heaters anywhere in the circuit for this breaker? (ie: bathroom fan w/light and heater) If yes, I would suspect and inspect them first. Also,any type breaker will trip more easily if the electrical connection screws on the breaker are not tight enough...check to make sure that's not the case.

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0helpful
1answer

My 3 arc fault breakers run hot and draw about a third of an amp from the ground bar wire each, 24/7. Is this possibly normal?

How did check amps. I would check the amps on the circuit itself. Might be drawing close to max. thats why it's hotter. breaker should have no more than 80%. Of an amp draw on the circuit
1helpful
1answer

Installing arc fault interrupter with ground fault

If you meant arch fault with ground fault then no, the two types interfere with each other and trip the breaker as one senses an arch and the other grounding.
If you meant ground fault breaker with a GFCI. receptacle, you only need one of the two, either GFCI. breaker or receptacle.

and for circuits, you can put up to 12 devices (i.e receptacle, light)assuming they consume 1 amp each. Anything over 12 amps or 80% of the rating on the breaker, it will trip/reset.
Or if your talking about wires on a breaker then no more than 2 wires recommended. Try adding a junction box outside the panel if your trying to add other branch circuits or tap off of a receptacle.
1helpful
1answer

Installing arc fault interrupter with ground fault

Question is vague. Arc fault and ground fault are slightly different.

Are you installing arc fault breaker?
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-GFCI.html#arc-fault
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-circuit-breaker.html

Code says Maximum 12 boxes per circuit breaker.

Arc fault breaker and GFCI outlet in bathroom?
>>> do not connect this way.
Do not install 2 fault protections on same circuit.
Install the arc fault circuit breaker, and then remove bathroom GFCI, and replace with ordinary outlet, or switch-outlet.

How many outlets can be connected to a bathroom GFCI?
It depends on total boxes on circuit.
Count the boxes. Max 12 boxes per circuit breaker.

How many amps can be connected to 15 amp device?
15 x 80% = 12 amps
Electricians use 80% rule to calculate safe maximum
http://waterheatertimer.org/Color-codewire.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/See-inside-main-breaker-box.html

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1helpful
2answers

My new home has a Siemens electrical panel with Arc Fault Breakers throughout the home. I consistantly experiance breakers tripping from all of these breakers, sometimes when the house has no one in it....

First let me state that I am not a licienced electrician,however I have done all sorts of construction work now for almost forty years.I have never heard of this being normal for properly sized and installed afci breakers.
I would contact siemens directly and see what they have to say. As I said this does not sound right to me.I think I would check with other electricians and see what they say. Thank you.
0helpful
2answers

I have 3 Seimens AFCI 20 amp circuit breakers that trip out for no reason none of the circuits are overloaded room light and tv on all 3 my home is about 18 months old . what should i look for

Hi, these ground fault Interupter or AFCI breakers are made for normally outdoor circuit and and circuits around water such as your bathrooms. I would turn each one off, take a screw driver and make sure each terminal to each breaker is good and tight. You say this is a new home, so it makes since this is a problem. This can be done safely, as with the breakers off the screw terminals are dead, always be safe though when working around high voltage. If you continue to have this problem, you would have no other choice than to get a qualified Elect. out to see if they have your G.F.I breakers wired on the right circuits? This sounds to me this also may be your problem. They are made to trip around sinks with lets say your lady of the home using a blow dryer on her hair and there is a slight voltage leak in the cord of the appliance? This is when the breaker should trip due to the chance of shock!!
0helpful
1answer

We have a new 12 room motel addition we are wiring. There are two bathrooms in which the arc-fault breakers are trippping. The loads are - two three lamp incandescant wall fixtures, and two GFCI...

Hi, I know it sounds simple but sometimes its the simplist things that get you. Check your earth, as it sounds as if this may be causing the problem.
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1answer

A city building inspector will not pass the electrical circuits that have ge arc fault breakers because his tester will not trip them?.. He says that these breakers are the only ones he has encountered...

With the rest of the system properly installed double checked and verified, I would either or both, call GE for support, replace all those breakers with different ones, and if needed, call out a senior Inspector.
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I have 5 murray combo arc faults installed in a home and 3 trip consistently for no reason. i installed cutler hammer combo arc fault breakers and have to trips. is there a difference between...

The arc fault breaker must be made for the panel. Use of a breaker (any type of breaker) that is not either listed or classified for use in the panel is a code violation. Yes there are some differences between manufacturers. Compare specs. Make sure you installed the new breakers correctly, or they won't work at all anyway. Just because a breaker fits doesn't mean it's the right one for the panel.
2helpful
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Arc fault trips under load

Arc fault breakers are definitely a pain. First make sure the receptacles are made for a 20 amp circuit. Second vacuums, Curlers,and most appliances will trip your breaker since they create an arc or a short if you will to operate. That is exactly what these breakers are made for. To stop the arc. Apparently they never really thought the whole arc fault thing through. As per code in most of arizona you only need this breaker in bedrooms where this type of appliance is not used. They also are more prone to popping so make sure you aren't running something on each of the receptacles at the same time
1helpful
1answer

3 combination arc fault breakers tripping under load

What is happening is the white wire that comes off the breaker is probably too close to another neutral or too close to a hot wire that is on one of the other circuits that will make it trip when you use a drill etc... Check to see if the coiled up white wire off of the breaker is not near a hot in the panel. I have had lots of arc fault breakers trip for that reason.
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