Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: romex jockey101, Location: Moore, OK
Asked on: Friday, March 25, 2011 at 11:33 am EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 3:16 am EDT
Question: i was adding a motion detector to a garage 20i crk its also attached to the ref and kitchen lights,and garagedoor.with draws 6 i..so i turned all the lights on and pluged any appliances that would be on that circuit and went into the panel to check out how many amps its drawing when i had my friend turn on the garagedoor ompener it was drawing 10 amps..then he pluged in a heater that was in the breeze way once he did that the circuit was drwing 22 amps and the breacker never triped its a square d ..is this common ..so ill add the censors but i told him he should have the heater pluged in as least as possible
Circuit Breaker Behavior
Circuit breakers are designed to trip when the current flowing through them exceeds their rated capacity for an extended period. A 20-amp circuit breaker should trip when the current exceeds 20 amps.
Observations
With all lights and appliances turned on, except the garage door opener and heater, the circuit draws 10 amps, which is within the breaker's rating. When the garage door opener is turned on, the current increases to 22 amps. The circuit breaker does not trip despite the current exceeding its rated capacity.
Possible Explanations
There are several possible explanations for this behavior:
Incorrect Breaker Rating
The circuit breaker may be incorrectly sized for the load. A 20-amp breaker should only be used on a circuit that draws 20 amps or less continuously.
Momentary Surge
The garage door opener may create a momentary surge of current when it starts up, which causes the current to briefly exceed the breaker's rating.
Loose Connections
Loose connections in the circuit can create resistance, which can reduce the current flowing through the breaker. This could allow the breaker to tolerate higher currents than expected.
Defective Breaker
The circuit breaker itself could be defective and not tripping properly.
Recommendations
Verify Breaker Rating
Check the breaker's rating to ensure it is appropriate for the load on the circuit.
Test Breaker Functionality
Test the circuit breaker by manually tripping it with the load disconnected. If the breaker does not trip or trips at a higher current, it should be replaced.
Tighten Connections
Ensure all connections in the circuit are tight to minimize resistance and prevent current loss.
Monitor Circuit Usage
Avoid overloading the circuit by minimizing the use of high-current appliances, such as the heater, on that circuit.
Consider Subpanel
If the circuit is consistently overloaded, consider adding a subpanel to distribute the load over multiple circuits.
Conclusion:
It is not common for a circuit breaker to not trip when the current exceeds its rated capacity. The observed behavior could be due to various factors, including incorrect breaker rating, momentary surges, loose connections, or a defective breaker. It is important to investigate and address the issue to prevent potential electrical hazards. Flag for review