main 30a circuit breaker problem

[sccoast99]

I just installed a new overhead ceiling fan switch, and turned the main 30a circuit breaker to my 30 ft fifthwheel off before I did the work. Problem is that I cannot get the circuit breaker to turn back on. There is 120v power to the circuit breaker. I unhooked the fan switch I just installed just in case. Nothing. Has breaker gone bad? anyway to reset it?

[MEXICOWANDERER]

2 penny moment...

As long as the cover is off tighten all set screws. Including all individual breaker wire screws, buss neutral and buss ground bar screws. Did you find all of them tight and copper wire end stubs in good condition? At least that maintenance is free...

[DrewE]

If the breaker flips normally with no applied power but trips immediately when powered, you provably have a short somewhere, likely in the main power panel.

If it won't reset witb no power, the breaker is bad assuming it's a plain old ordinary breaker.

[Boon_Docker]

OP already tried that, no go.

[dougrainer]

Have you tried PUSHING the breaker DOWN to off then flip back up? Some breakers when they are tripped or switched OFF, will be in a spring loaded position. Trying to flip them UP will not work. You flip DOWN then Up. Doug

[ScottG]

Regardless of whether the switch is good or bad, it shouldn't have both hot and neutral connected to it so it shouldn't be able to create a short.

[Walaby]

If it doesn't reset even with power off, then yeah, I agree another circuit breaker.

Mike

[sccoast99]

Thanks to all....i am going to pop it out and get another circuit breaker.

[RoyB]

Sometimes they just fail... I found the same name breaker at LOWES when I needed a new one... May have been the first time it had been switched since 2003 hehe...

Roy Ken

[sccoast99]

I've tried with all the other breakers off, with power to the FW off. with power to the FW on. I did test the voltage going into the breaker and it is ok when power to the unit in on.

[sccoast99]

my "new" switch was my first thought...so I took it back out and capped each of the four wires..still can not get breaker to reset even without the switch wired. My thinking is that the switch is not now an issue (if it ever was a problem). My logic is saying the problem is the circuit breaker itself. If I can't find a way to get to reset I might need a new one.

[mbopp]

Will the 30A breaker reset if you turn all the other breakers off?

[Walaby]

bad switch maybe? Even if it's new, could be bad. Something is shorting out somewhere, causing the breaker to not set. Since the only thing you've done (it appears), is swap the switch, that's where I'd start.

Edit: I missed the fact that you disconnected the switch. So, perhaps a short in the fan itself?

Mike

[sccoast99]

no luck, but thanks for input.

[Boon_Docker]

Try clicking it all the way over the opposite direction of clicking it on then click it to the on position.