My new maytag centennial electric keeps tripping

Jan 2013
1) Move wire to another same-size circuit breaker to eliminate bad circuit breaker as suspect.
Do NOT increase size of breaker or it will cause fire.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-circuit-breaker.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Troubleshoot-household-electricity.html

2) Put hand on each appliance and outlet to see which ones are warm. Outlet should never be warm or hot. Replace outlet. Inspect wires for loose and burned connections.

3) If the breaker is good, then add up total watts being used by checking watt rating on each device. 100 watt light bulb is 100 watts. Big screen TV has a label that shows 300 to 500 watts. Computer has label. Space heater has label showing 1500 watts. Iron has a watt rating label. Take total watts and divide by 110Volts and this will give amp load. Total watts used = 2000 and then divide 2000 by 110 volts = 18.8 amps
Compare amp load with circuit breaker.
20 amp circuit breaker has 80% safe maximum, or 16 amps.
If amp load is 18.8 amps, then 20 amp breaker is starting to get hot, and weak breaker will start tripping.
If amp load is 18.8 amps, and breaker is 15 amps, then you are overloaded and breaker is feeling the heat, and tripping because of heat.
Solution is to reduce amp load.

4) If you have short circuit, that can also trip breaker.
Unplug everything and then plug things back in slowly to see which plug or appliance is causing the problem.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

1) You got a FIRE truck coming.

2) Wire is too small.
Problem is NOT circuit breaker.

3) Both 240Volt appliances on same breaker is a hazard, especially if space available in 200 amp service panel for more breakers.

4) Usually each 240V appliance has separate breaker.

5) Circuit breaker trips because of High heat on the wire.
If wire gets hot, it will start a fire inside the wall.

Electric code requires wire-size match breaker-size.

6) If you put larger amp breaker on same wire that is getting hot, then wire will get hotter.
Result: FIRE truck middle of night with folks jumping out window in glass-cut bare run across yard.

7) Each appliance has volts and watt rating on label.
EVERY appliance has label.

8) For example stove might be rated 8000 watts and 240Volt.
8000 watts divided by 240 volts = 33.3 amps
Stove would require 40 amp breaker and 8 gauge wire.

9) How to figure it out:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Color-codewire.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-a-subpanel.html

10) Do same calculation for new furnace.
12000 watt furnace divided by 240 volts = 50 amps.
Use 60 amp breaker and 6 gauge wire.

11) Summary: fixya wants you to be safe, and buy stuff showing in the ads.
Use a bigger breaker ONLY when bigger wire is also installed.
Call furnace installer, the installer should know to check safe wiring before installing.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

you could simply have a weak breaker and the load required for the machine is tripping it, have someone replace the breaker in the service panel, and you should be ok, ( while they are there, have them check the actual receptacle for loose or bad wiring

call the store that you bought the machine from the dryer is still under warranty. it sound like you either have a short or a bad breaker

Hi

If the dryer is not drying the clothes then you would need to check for the following things-

Electric Dryer---

1. Inspect the fuses and circuit breakers they may have burned out or tripped. Usually, dryer will still tumble but not create heat if a fuse or a circuit breaker is not working.

2. Check for the amp reading at 240 V, it should have reading of 24, 21 and 3 amp (approx.) for 2 lines and neutral respectively.

3. Heating element may have turned or the connection to the element might be loose. Sometimes a shorted circuit element will keep on blowing the fuse or circuit breaker.

4. Motor wiring shorting to ground.

Hope this helps...

Daniel

Hi

If the dryer is not drying the clothes then you would need to check for the following things-

Electric Dryer---

1. Inspect the fuses and circuit breakers they may have burned out or tripped. Usually, dryer will still tumble but not create heat if a fuse or a circuit breaker is not working.

2. Check for the amp reading at 240 V, it should have reading of 24, 21 and 3 amp (approx.) for 2 lines and neutral respectively.

3. Heating element may have turned or the connection to the element might be loose. Sometimes a shorted circuit element will keep on blowing the fuse or circuit breaker.

4. Motor wiring shorting to ground.

Hope this helps...

Daniel

If the dryer is not drying the clothes then you would need to check for the following things—
Electric Dryer---
1. Inspect the fuses and circuit breakers they may have burned out or tripped. Usually, dryer will still tumble but not create heat if a fuse or a circuit breaker is not working.
2. Check for the amp reading at 240 V, it should have reading of 24, 21 and 3 amp (approx.) for 2 lines and neutral respectively.
3. Heating element may have turned or the connection to the element might be loose. Sometimes a shorted circuit element will keep on blowing the fuse or circuit breaker.
4. Motor wiring shorting to ground.
Post back if more assistance is required. Hope this helps...
Daniel

You're unit is a 31/2 ton according to the numbers.Normally, breakers will only be in a half way posistion when tripped. Yes, under most conditions, the fuse will blow before the breaker trips. I have seen this many times, the breaker may be weak, burned, loose wires and so tighten wires, check the condition of the breaker.It sounds like the breaker even though it is 60 amps, is the problem and you should replace it with out hesitating. This will solve you're problem. When you pull the breaker out, look at the metal clips that snap in on the buss bar to see if they have been overheating.And the buss bar its self. You will know. I am sure this will take care of you're problem. Good Luck,
Shastalaker7

sounds like a loose connection ,or possibly a weak main breaker.

breaker tripping right of way means bad breaker or dead short. which means something has burned out or is wired incorrectly