Breakaway Switch Melted/Burnt

Yep..3A draw per brake magnet.........minus resistance thru connectors/corrosion
Per Federal Law...suppose to provide full battery voltage for 15 mins

Get new switch....check wire/connections/insulation for any damage


And anyone that pulls pin out to use as a parking brake doesn't understand trailer electric brakes.
Magnets will get energized due to full battery voltage BUT brake shoes do not engage unless trailer is moving. Sitting parked .magnet just gets HOT and battery has unnecessary draw

The only way these contacts get closed in when you pull the KEY out.

Like said above they are NOT designed to be left in this mode very long.

Each BRAKE MAGNET will draw 3 AMPS when 12VDC is applied...

If you have two axles then that is around 12AMPS of DC CURRENT for four wheel electric brakes.

ETRAILER.COM should a good replacement switch assembly for you...

I have heard on here of some users like to pull the KEY to use as a brake to hold the trailer in place. This really isn't a good idea as you can see what happens to the contacts and the BRAKE MAGNETS can also melt down which is probably on the expensive side.

Something like this google photo



Roy Ken

Brake magnets draw a lot of amps. The brake away switch is designed to close and lock the brakes up in the event of a brake away.

They are not designed to be closed for a long period of time because of the amp draw.

It sounds to me like the switch was closed for a long period of time and went past it's duty cycle.