Circuit breakers heating up
When we run the AC under load for an extended period, the circuit breaker gets hot to the touch and the panel gives off a stinky, rotting kind of smell. Any suggestions?
Forum Discussion
CavemanCharlie wrote:
My suggestion is to get it fixed right away. There is most likely a loose connection somewhere. If your not very comfortable with this type of work then take it to a professional. If your asking questions on here then I feel you may want to take it to a professional. I'm not trying to be a jerk. I just don't want to read about you and your family burning up in a fire. If it gets hot something is wrong. Warm maybe, but not hot. I hope you understand why I'm speaking this way.
I have to agree with Caveman, a properly sized breaker and wiring with good connections will not get hot. Not all breakers are $5.00 but even $15 or $25 is not a lot of money to improve safety. Replace the breaker, clean all plugs and sockets, tighten all terminals. If you're not happy with doing it yourself, hire someone.
Here is a little secret, the Natl. Elect. Code is prepared by a consortium of different interests, Insurance Cos., Fire Suppression Forces, Elect. Materials Manufacturers and the Unions for example. Believe it or not, they really want you to be safe and therefore, build into the codes a safety factor.
HEAT is a warning that there is something wrong.
I normally don't like dialectic grease, it is messy to work with and seldom really needed. In a stationary location like a S&B, it is seldom required, however, since I became an RVer, I keep a container with a flux brush in the RV toolbox and another in the parts cabinet above my workbench in the garage. A RV is a horrible environment for electrical systems, if it's not exposed to horrible weather conditions the electrical systems are exposed to a totally unrealistic vibration test. One of the worse things is the pedestal in campgrounds. Folks forget to turn off the breakers before connecting and disconnecting shore cables and arcing occurs and that invites corrosion. There isn't much we can do about the socket in the pedestal but complain when we find a bad one. Just be aware that if your power cord plug gets hot or even warm, there is a problem and the CG management needs to be notified.
Thanks for posting and now get it checked.
