Forum Discussion
DrewE
Jun 09, 2021Explorer II
As the breaker is tripping immediately, there are a few possibilities:
1. Bad breaker, with no other cause; I'd guess this is probably the least likely, but it certainly is not impossible. In general, though, circuit breakers are very reliable if not abused by being exposed to the elements, repeatedly switched under load, or that sort of thing.
2. A short or significant overload somewhere in the circuit, such that the breaker is doing its job and protecting you. Find and correct. This could be tricky to find, if it's due to e.g. a wire being chafed on the RV frame somewhere or a staple or screw penetrating it.
3. A loose connection between the breaker and the bus bar in the power center, or between the circuit wire and the breaker. Current flow would cause a poor connection to heat up, and a thermal-magnetic breaker to warm up, and trip at well under its rated current. Fix the bad connection (which may involve replacing the breaker and/or bus bar and/or wire if they have been damaged by heat). It is not a bad idea to check all the connections for tightness every now and again--of course, with power disconnected.
1. Bad breaker, with no other cause; I'd guess this is probably the least likely, but it certainly is not impossible. In general, though, circuit breakers are very reliable if not abused by being exposed to the elements, repeatedly switched under load, or that sort of thing.
2. A short or significant overload somewhere in the circuit, such that the breaker is doing its job and protecting you. Find and correct. This could be tricky to find, if it's due to e.g. a wire being chafed on the RV frame somewhere or a staple or screw penetrating it.
3. A loose connection between the breaker and the bus bar in the power center, or between the circuit wire and the breaker. Current flow would cause a poor connection to heat up, and a thermal-magnetic breaker to warm up, and trip at well under its rated current. Fix the bad connection (which may involve replacing the breaker and/or bus bar and/or wire if they have been damaged by heat). It is not a bad idea to check all the connections for tightness every now and again--of course, with power disconnected.
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