Checking for a Bad Breaker
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- * Updated Version of this video* • Checking for a bad bre...
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This video will show you how to safely check for a bad breaker in your panel
Thanks! I'm totally pedestrian-level and needed a basic tutorial like this. Perfect. I also felt, while listening to that music, that I was preparing at sunrise to go to battle. Majestic.
You explain me in 2 minutes, what ive been looking for hours. Thank you so much
Can't really distinguish what I enjoyed most...the soundtrack or the concise training. Good workdone on both!
Excellent. Concise clear description of the process. No gibberish. Well done!
Nice explanation of the GFCI breakdown with the supporting detailed references. You both did a great job explaining the inner workings of how the device works.
Thank you for posting. I had the same problem. I used my multimeter to identify the bad circuit and fixed it!
A few important notes: the breakers need to be in the ON position for this testing to work. The Most important point, work safely by using protective gear.
Thank you for showing how to check breaker (220). Single mom trying not to freak out every time I try to use dryer and have to reset circuit. I have the tool (voltage meter) but wasn't sure how to use it. Thanks again.
Great video!
Easy to understand!
Nice close-up of the panel
Thank you!!
I'd like to take the time to thank you for posting this video... though I'm still having power issues, I now know its not a bad breaker....(saving money already) its nice to know some people don't mind sharing knowledge instead of always trying to make a buck off of it
Thanks, that was so well done! Very clear and concise.
Great video. Simple, clear and to the point. Thanks
How ever I did get wisdom from your video
Thank you for the clear and concise explanation!
Thank you so much, my lights were flickering,then went out, I checked breakers and everything was fine, but then found your video and found the bad breaker.i removed it and the connection was corroded and I sanded it and reinstalled and everything works great,thanks,,,
Thanks! I tested some Sockets around the house, a few are giving between 0-30 Volts... I have a feeling I have 2 breakers that need replacing since replacing all of the plugs didnt help (except every plug has a safety button, not just the kitchen/bathroom. :) Worth the extra 2 bucks a plug. I have a Volt meter but wasnt sure how to properly test the breakers, this is a lot of Help!
You would think your bringing Frankenstein to life with this soundtrack while working in a panel.
This specific diy I’m working on is leading me into the oldest diy underbelly of UA-cam, btw I think he’s using the soundtrack of the Last Samurai, Hans Zimmer I love ya bud
That also means that you have a bad breaker. Just to be sure there is not a bigger problem going on, I would also make sure that you have 220v on other breakers in your panel. If you do, then simply replace that breaker. If you don't, let me know because you would have a much bigger problem on your hands.
Thank you. Help to eliminate the breaker from an oven problem.
Thank you. You just saved me time and frustration.
Very good video perfectly in line with what I am doing. I can use this knowledge.
Thanks so much, keep up the good work.
Dear God that music video has me amped to do some work... like I'm the forgotten electrician in the fellowship of the ring!
I'm loving the dramatic background music.
Thanks!!! Checked all outlets and connecions, must be fuse at panel. Now I know how check rather than just replacing it. Much thanks Awesome information A++++
This was a very informative video. Nicely done and great information.
Thanks
Thanks, That was explained very good.
Great video and audio!
Thanks for this video. My breaker is fine now for the outlet
That music just killed it for me. Damn near overpowered the whole video. Going somewhere else to find what I need.
A great many thanks! you solved my elecrical issue. I really appreciate it!
Shouldn't you touch the neutral bar or ground wire first and then touch the hot wire on the breakers?
One, the red/black means nothing, you arent checking a DC circuit, and the test leads can be plugged into the meter two ways. Two, a breaker passing voltage does not mean its good; breakers can get loose clips/stabs, become burnt/corroded, or break internally causing it to not reset, or worse, never trip again (FPE Stab-Lok 2p were notorious for this). Ive seen breakers used as switches that get very loose internally and, depending on how the handle comes to rest, may pass 120V, may pass 0V, or somewhere in between.
Your testing does not rule out a bad breaker by any means, and is basically worthless on the single pole AFCI breakers you tested them on. The only approved method for testing those is the mfg test button.
Someone is butt hurt they can't operate a digital camera and edit videos.
Removing it from the bus bar and checking the resistance of it could be another way
Meseek
You
What should the voltage be? Does it say on the breaker?
Julie Campbell it depends on the breaker size but it should say it on the breaker itself.. 110-120 or 220-240 is probably what you'd be looking at
Love the song in the back ground! Is this a electrical class! Not everyone has those meters at home!
Awesome score playing. Great vid
Great instructional video, thanks.
Thanks for the great information, and so is that mean a bad breaker can suddenly not giving enough power for an appliance? For example I have this outlet that has been used for a washer but suddenly one day I noticed it couldn't get enough power for it anymore but like when I plugged a small stuff like night light it turned on no issue. Thanks for your time!
Perfect vid. Exactly what I needed to know- thank you!
Very nice, thanks for sharing. Clear instruction.
I'm really appreciate update this video thanks a lot
you will get the same result either way you connect the multimeter. this is ac so dont limit red lid to hot and black lid to neautral, you can chech either way
Thanks! Exactly what I needed know quickly!
I appreciate the feedback. I don't believe in long drawn out BS. Straight forward and to the point is how I operate. Besides, I lose interest as soon as the self serving explanations begin.... LOL
TheElectricalDoctor if one side of the double pole breaker bad ... do both side have to work together
Great,video,BUT I COULD HAVE DONE WITH OUT THE MUSIC.
Enjoyed the video and music.
Great video...thanks for posting.
simply informative. thanks for posting
What's with the dramatic music? LOL!
lmfao I was gonna post the same thing! What is the house gonna blow up soon?
If you haven get around 200v for some seconds I believe this music would get you in the mood lol
This video has drama....lol
Thank you it helped a lot
Great info. About that music tho. Don't raise it man, I am playing this thing late at night and people are yelling at me.
Yeah, man, I want Bach in my breaker box too!
GREAT VIDEO- EASY TO UNDERSTAND ; I HAVE AN ISSUE I HOPE YOU MIGHT BE WILLING TO ADVISE ME ON; I AM RUNNING A CERAMIC 1500 WATT CERAMIC HEATER; I WAS CHECKING THE OUTLETS BECAUSE THE BREAKER WOULD TRIP?? THE POWER SOURCE IS 15 AMP HOUSEHOLD CURRENT; I ATTEMPTED TO CHECK THE OTHER OUTLETS FOR POWER; SO I RESET THE BREAKER AND USING A(3 prong outlet tester ) I went to stick the tester into another outlet and the second I attempted to plug it in the outlet "a far away outlet" same circuit not known"?? the breaker would trip again; how can the ELECTRICAL TESTER CAUSE THE BREAKER TO TRIPP??? ANY ADVICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED; I WOULD CALL AN ELECTRICIAN BUT IT COST OVER $250. FOR 1/2 HOUR PLUS TRIP COST; I,M NOT VERY ELECTRICAL SAVVY BUT FEEL CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO FOLLOW YOUR LEAD !! THANK YOU,PATRICK.P I BELIEVE ALL THE BREAKERS ARE AT LEAST 15 AMPS TO THE 2 MAIN BREAKERS WHICH ARE 20-30 AMPS SINGLE POLE. PATRICK.P
Great advice. Love the music too:-)
NMN (No Music Needed)
Sincerely this music would probably nice any other time , but trying to get the gist of something OR messin with electricity , this is very not good,nerve wracking.
Ella, I disagree this music keep your concentration going, so you will not dose off.
wow this guy was telling us how to heat the water lol
You are the man
*nicely done
I have 1.5 volt’s with circuit breaker in off position gfi will not reset ?
Thats residual current from the circuits next to it
The background music is louder than the speaker. Cannot understand.
At 1:43 you say put the leads on both terminals of the double pole breaker, that you should get 120 volts if the breaker is good. That's incorrect, you should get up to 250 as you had just said prior to that.
Watch the video again, I specifically state if the breaker is bad these are the voltages you will see. I am paraphrasing here, but that is what I said.
Now is this with the breaker on or off while performing these tests?
@albduke1 I dont yet, but I do plan on getting some up in the near future.
How about if I get 135 volts on a 120 v- 15 amp
Nice Work
Is it true that if a breaker has tripped more than a few times that it should be replaced? And is it more likely to trip more often after each time it trips?
On a 220v circuit, I have 120v on each breaker, but 0v when testing across the two breakers. What is the problem. This is also true with 2 other 220v circuits in my garage.
Is the breaker a DOUBLE breaker together as in a 1 piece OR do you have 2 individual separate breakers not together with a open space between them top to bottom..??
It looks and sounds like you have the 2nd option and each breaker is accessing the same 120V buss bar which will NOT give you 240V together
This is Dangerous !!! When you remove the breaker box you expose the Live terminals which could give you a lethal shock if touched. What you should do is go to an outlet on the circuit of the breaker which you think is bad and test the voltage through the holes in the socket , you get the same information without the risk of a fatal shock if you accidentally touched exposed Live terminals.
would my breaker be bad if the volts at my outlet are at 96? I haven't pulled the breaker cover and checked that yet.
I'm using an analog voltage tester, because that's how I roll.
THE PROBLEM WAS THAT ON ONE OF THE OUTLETS I REPLACE IT WITH A DIFFERENT ONE SO IT WAS NOT GIVING CURRENT TO THE OTHER PART OF THE HOUSE BIG MISTAKE
Ok have questions dryer not heating have replaced both the breaker and outlet and its a new dryer with new cord. I am getting 108 volts on each side at breaker and at outlet. When I put the tester on both sides I get no reading at all?? The electric com pay says I have good volts at the meter what do I do or try next??
Huh well since you getting 108 at the breaker and the outlet, assuming it's a 120v 20amp breaker
Than you sir have a bad line that's coming in. Simple corrosion at the connection on the street side most likely. It happens to bad weather n improper isolation when it was first connected. Estimate on a Professional 450-500$ possibly less, no more.
thanks for posting something decent about this stuff...unlike howcast's unsafe BS about changing "fuses" where they show breakers and call them fuses lol
you should have mentioned setting the voltmeter to the correct range though
Unless you have a bad leg from the meter base
Now I do have a question but have an Idea of the answer ,but would like input. On a double pole you said to check each breaker together at first then check each individually,so my question is for an electric clothes dryer that still runs but does not heat , does this indicate that I need to replace one or both of these breakers ?
It's in the dryer, not the breaker
Check the receptacle for power. Dryer receptacles have either three or four slots.
2 hots and a neutral for the 3-wire type or 2 hots, a neutral, and an equipment ground for the 4-wire (newer type. Both hots should read 120V to the neutral and 240V to each other. If one of the hot legs is missing, the drum may still turn but the heater won't work. The drum motor and light, as well as the timer, run on 120V while the heater runs on 240V. If you have 240V across the hots and 120V from each hot leg to neutral, the problem is in the dryer itself.
bamaslamma1003 You are right, I have no idea where I got that answer. I had the problem, where the dryer heated intermittently, but everything else was ok. I put a new breaker in and, problem solved.
When you get a voltage reading on a breaker, what do you do if the reading is higher or lower than what it should be?
yea same problem here, I'm getting 1.14V between the +ve and -ve, and 1.14V between the ground and -ve
Meaning my +ve is probaly shorted with ground somewhere.
hi first thank you for your time posting this video. i have a question on the double pole 220 breaker . you tested it twice once with 220 volt reading. then the same test with 120 volt. what am i missing. i dont see why is there 2 different reading on what appears to be on the same breaker?
On a double pole if one side of the breaker bad..do both side have to be working at the same time
How about when I get 135 volts,
from a 120 breaker..
the music is great ...electricity is mysterious and dangerous ....
nice video but the music was just a little over the top ;)
+Lance Carlile But I love E.S. Posthumus. LOL. I'm kind of surprised UA-cam didn't catch it and flag the video for copyright infringement for the music. But anyway it's a great video tutorial to learn from none the less.
I agree the music selection was over the top. I mean the video content isn't an action adventure movie. Lol
Thank you +Michael Rogers! I had never heard of E.S. Posthumus until watching this video to check my breaker. This music is awesome!
When doing a TUTORIAL why oh why the F'n music. Why?!
It don't matter which lead you put on the terminal.
Thanks!
Beautiful man
IF I DID THIS TEST ON ALL THE BREAKERS BUT I STILL HAVE A PARTIAL OUTAGE ON MY HOUSE WHAT CAN THE PROBLE BE ???
IM GOING CRAZY, I HAD THIS PROBLEM AFTER I REPLACE SOME OUTLETS HELP PLEASEEEEE
Thank you for the video. What if I get 120 on each leg but not 240 when test together on a double pole?
Did you find out the reason? I have the same issue.
No sorry not yet
hey great video i want to become an electrician where is the best place to find apprenticeship ? local union is tough to get into how do I get my foot in the door? Central nj?
the music killed the breakers
I didn’t mind the music at all. It went down in volume when he talked.
Is this test done with or without a load or does it make any difference?
Thanks
Why do voltage decreased as breakers are bad?
Phúc Nguyễn no current smart guy...
what if i get 30v reading between hot and neutral on my breaker? bad breaker?? or dirty contacts?
antigen4
vv
hey I have a question, in my kitchen I have a GFI out but it reading 88volt but when I went and check the breaker box all the line are reading the normal voltage 120 , I am wondering where cause the the Voltage drop, tite in up all the connection at the panel box
+Alimamy Sesay GFI's are known for getting tired...I would buy a new one, and start from there...They are bulky and difficult to remove and install, so I would hire someone to install it for you...If the same thing is read, around 88Volts, then you could have a nail in your romex line..Not much you can do about that, except to rip out all of the walls, from point A to point B
+Alimamy Sesay you might have a broken wire leaving the breaker panel to your receptacles that you cant see
Excellent
if a breaker trips and you rectify the problem but fails to turn on, does it mean the breaker is broken
The loud dramatic music makes the video difficult to follow
Could be you did not hook up all the wires in the run from one of your new plugs.
Doyou have to have a digital multimeter or will my analog meter work?
What if the voltage is reading 80?
Manahoy city! That’s near me
Hi I have a portable air conditioner and when the washer and or dryer is on the circuit breaker trips around 15 minute but it the portable is off is circuit does not trip, can you help me
+Mark Williams you have the same problem...Washer, dryers, aircon, garbage disposals, all belong on their own circuit with own braker, regardless what uncle bubu told you...Aircons, are 30 amps, alone you are over taxing the wiring as well
too much load. your breaker is doing what it's designed to do. break the circuit before you really start heating the wires up.
This comment tells me that you have no experience trouble shooting breakers. If a breaker is bad, it will show many variations of what I depicted. However, you can bet that most of the time when a breaker is bad, it will act like I show here in my video.
Well Done