10
votes
My 20 amp breaker trips
Is this shop a long distance from the main panel? What is the distance from the main panel to the shop panel, and what gauge wire was used? (Specify Cu or Al.)
It's possible that if your supply wire ...
- 12k
10
votes
LED lights tripping the breaker when installed in the wrong direction?
I believe these florescent-replacement LEDs have the live and neutral terminals on one end and a short-circuit on the other end. This, combined with an "LED" dummy starter (which is also a ...
- 13.2k
6
votes
Has the breaker size rating changed since 1990
No, they haven't changed. That breaker should never have been installed on that circuit, and it should be replaced with a 20A breaker.
- 1,401
6
votes
Can I replace 2 Zinsco single pole 35amp breakers with one 35amp 2-pole?
New Panel Time
If this wasn't a Zinsco then I would say:
Standard US dryers are 30A not 35A
A double pole breaker is correct because with a dryer you need common shutoff (as is the case with any 240V ...
4
votes
Accepted
Will my contractor need to redo all electric work for new tub?
You won't know for sure until after demolition but it sounds hopeful. The new tub needs a GFCI outlet and it sounds like the GFCI switch in the wall serves the tub. You'll need to check that, and ...
- 43.4k
3
votes
EV Charger - Subpanel Changes
To summarize the facts and recommendations from comments --
The present arrangement lacks a neutral wire for the furnace and uses ground as neutral. Bonding ground to neutral in a subpanel is against ...
- 12k
2
votes
Table saw not starting and tripping 15a breaker
I finally solved the problem. The fact that the saw started up when upside down, thus closing the starter relay, should have told me that the starter relay was working OK and the problem was elsewhere....
- 63
2
votes
Adding 100A Subpanel to Vintage Cutler Hammer Main Panel (CH30JM200)
My understanding is that connecting the appropriate wire size to a breaker larger than 50 amps will cause that wire to rub/rest on top of the neutral bus which could damage the insulation. You've got ...
- 83.6k
1
vote
EV Charger - Subpanel Changes
The furnace wiring is completely improper. This was wired as a 240V-only subpanel with no neutral, and that was fine when the furnace was straight resistance electric, but the people who replaced the ...
1
vote
LED lights tripping the breaker when installed in the wrong direction?
LEDs are inherently polarized. But that is when they are running on direct current. You are connecting them to alternating current, so there is nothing to distinguish one direction from the other, and ...
1
vote
Has the breaker size rating changed since 1990
The circuit sizing has always been #14 wire=15A...... #12=20A...... #10=30A.
So no, there wasn't an electrical code that allowed bigger breakers previously. Most likely, this was irresponsible people ...
1
vote
Has the breaker size rating changed since 1990
In addition to the other correct answers about a 30A breaker on 12 gauge wire being too big, when (not if, but when) you do replace the breaker with one of the correct size, also make sure it is a ...
- 5,254
1
vote
Has the breaker size rating changed since 1990
One possibility, particularly if this is the circuit for an oven or cooktop, is:
Original circuit was 12 AWG with 20A breaker
New appliance installed that needed more power. Instructions said 30A, so ...
1
vote
Accepted
Has the breaker size rating changed since 1990
The other answer is correct regarding the allowable ampacity of #12 wire (given some reasonable assumptions). I have a copy of the 1990 National Electrical Code that confirms this hasn't changed.
...
- 196
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