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PaulnAnn's avatar
PaulnAnn
Explorer
Jun 04, 2022

Tripped Breaker

Hello, we had our fireplace spark last night and blow the breaker while just sitting here on our laptops.

I turned the fireplace off and tried the breaker again but it just 'trips' when I turn it on. It seems there's a short somewhere although we were just sitting here. Nothing different. If it was just we had our laptops plugged into the outlets and it was too much draw and tripped the breaker it should at least come on but it doesn't, even when I have the fireplace turned off and nothing plugged into the outlets anymore.

Weird part also is the breaker that tripped is marked 'general'. I'm not sure what that means!? As the breaker for the fireplace is a different breaker.

Any thoughts what I could do to diagnose the issue?

https://prnt.sc/32TMSgEOk_0Z

Thank you,
Paul (Ann)
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jun 04, 2022
    Sounds like a fireplace short. Disconnect the wires to be sure. General could be the plug circuit or something in "general".
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jun 05, 2022
    You said the Fireplace sparked.. That is what is called a MAJOR CLUE.

    What CA Travler said. Disconnect.
    Note if the Fire place is a plug in model.. Check the outlet it's plugged into. A 1500 watt heater (Many electric fireplaces are) can melt the 15 amp "uni-box" or "Quick box" type rather easily.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jun 05, 2022
    wa8yxm wrote:
    Note if the Fire place is a plug in model.. Check the outlet it's plugged into. A 1500 watt heater (Many electric fireplaces are) can melt the 15 amp "uni-box" or "Quick box" type rather easily.
    If so run a new circuit and box from your left hand CB which can be a dual CB if it's a single. I suspect "general" means multiple plugs... :( OK for light loads - heaters not so much...
  • PaulnAnn's avatar
    PaulnAnn
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2022
    wa8yxm wrote:
    You said the Fireplace sparked.. That is what is called a MAJOR CLUE.

    What CA Travler said. Disconnect.
    Note if the Fire place is a plug in model.. Check the outlet it's plugged into. A 1500 watt heater (Many electric fireplaces are) can melt the 15 amp "uni-box" or "Quick box" type rather easily.


    I"m sure the fireplace has something to do with it since it sparked. My confusion is the breaker that tripped is called 'general' (see pic in original post) and not the fireplace breaker that's tripped.

    I will try that but I'm trying to find out what the 'general' breaker is for.

    Thank you
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jun 05, 2022
    What else doesn't work when general is tripped? Be sure to test every plug. The fireplace could be an option and hence on the general CB.

    Labels may not be accurate. Suggest checking all marked CBs to verify their label. Turn off the 2 left CBs one at a time, what doesn't work?

    The fireplace problem could be a plug or a positive short before the switch. Investigate.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jun 05, 2022
    As suggested labels might not be correct, unplug from shore power, and try to reset the breaker,
    I know if i designed the wiring, i would have fireplace and A/C on the same breaker,
    Because i would only use (1) or the other not both,
    Find the power cord connection for the fireplace and unplug/disconnect it,
    Once you figure out what circuits power outlets, fireplace etc..
    Relabel things correctly
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jun 06, 2022
    Yes very possible the FP is wired to the other breaker labeled general. In fact From what you describe Id say it’s definitely wired to the general labeled breaker.
    How many wires are coming into the general breaker? A bunch?
    Also trip the FP breaker and see what doesn’t work.
    (Have you actually opened up the panel and see a wire to the FP breaker?)
    If you aren’t very familiar with residential electrical, you’d be surprised what you might find out, depending on how hungover the electrician was that day….lol

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