Circuit Breaker Keeps Flipping

General Landlording & Rental Properties

Circuit Breaker Keeps Flipping

Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 414 posts · 94 votes

The bottom unit of my duplex is a 2BR and both bedrooms are on one circuit breaker. Most of the other breakers are a 20V but this one is a 15V. The tenant says that it keeps flipping and all he has plugged in is a modem, TV, and CPAP machine (this might use a lot of power, but what am I gonna do?). He’s tried hitting the “reset” button a few times and it’ll hold for half a day and flip again.

Does anyone have an idea of what the issue is and how much it’ll cost me to fix? I spoke with an electrician and he’s making it sound like this is going to be a seriously expensive endeavor. He says:

“Unfortunately you may have a very large issue. The system I suspect may have never been wired correctly to begin with and that is unfortunately a common problem. To solve this is a 2 part solution. Step a is to replace the breaker and a have preliminary look around which takes a few man hours typically. About 80 percent of the time problem solved.

If not step 2 we have to completely rewire the circuit that breaker controls which typically takes 2 men 30 to 90 minutes each box we have to pull through. This step typically takes 2 guys about a day sometimes longer. Sorry about the bad news but we need to be upfront about it.

Let me know if you have any questions or if are prepared to proceed.”

I don’t know anything about electrical work. It took me 2 hours to replace one of those test button outlets last weekend and I was pretty proud of myself… I have no way of knowing if they’re trying to rip me off or do unnecessary work. How would you suggest I proceed?

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Investor · Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2016 · 71 posts · 39 votes

9y

Originally posted by @Jassem A.:

Put in a 20 amp breaker and see if that solves it. 15 amp breakers are usually for lights not receptacles

This is a dangerous suggestion and should not be left uncommented. It is correct that overloading the circuit would cause the breaker to trip. Replacing the 15A breaker with a 20A breaker would solve the problem,

However, the breaker is sized matching the rating of the wire. Basically, if during installation, they put thin (cheap) wire in there, it would be a 10A breaker. A little thicker wire.. can carry 15A.. gets a 15A breaker.

Thicker wire.. 20A breaker

What happens when you just replace the 15A with a 20A breaker? The wires get too hot and an electrical fire.

The insurance better not read this thread then.

The diagnosis from the original post is correct.

Maybe you can use this opportunity a nd add a new circuit, so that the 2 bedrooms have separate circuits. It will not add a lot of cost (a breaker costs $40.. or if they put in an ARCfault breaker.. $60)

See this reply in the discussion

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Adam Juodis
Plainfield, IL · Member since 2016 · 139 posts · 53 votes
9y
To the people that are saying the wire used for the 15A breaker cannot handle the 20A breaker replacement - this is most likely untrue. 14AWG wire, which is most likely used for the breakers, can handle up to 20A in copper conductors(Although this is not preferred, it can work. With newer fast acting breakers, the breaker is going to trip before melting the wire during a surge). You can check this small print on the wire to find the gauge. As long as the AWG number is 14 or lower, you're okay for a 20A breaker replacement.
Remember, always always always make sure the upstream electricity has some type of disconnect(Main circuit breaker)for what you are working on. If you're unsure, use a multimeter to measure if any voltage is present. If you don't feel confident, hire out an electrician!
Source: Electrical Engineer and very familiar with NEC standards.
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Chad Clanton
Contractor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2013 · 647 posts · 205 votes
9y
@Adam Juodis, thanks for chiming in, the conductor/breaker table I checked said no go, but then again the codes change constantly and I don't know the age of that particular chart. All I know is I see a whole lot of singed wires on a regular basis, and way too many house fires; thanks for educating us.
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Adam Juodis
Plainfield, IL · Member since 2016 · 139 posts · 53 votes
9y
@Chad Clanton No problem. This table is a nice reference when the question of wire sizing comes up(See below). If I was designing a system, I would most certainly use 12AWG for a 20A breaker. While using 14AWG on a 20A is not preferred, if a current surge big enough happens to trip the breaker, the wire is not going to melt or start a fire. As long as the breaker is UL/CSA approved, the breaker will trip fast enough to prevent damage to the wire downstream of the circuit breaker.
http://www.usawire-cable.com/pdfs/nec%20ampacities.pdf
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Chad Clanton
Contractor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2013 · 647 posts · 205 votes
9y
@Adam Juodis, good stuff, appreciate it.
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Kishore P.
Realtor · Farmington, MI · Member since 2016 · 126 posts · 69 votes
9y
@Art M. :
Like others have mentioned there are potentially two causes or a combination situation with Circuit Breaker to trip: 1) faulty Circuit Breaker (2) Overloaded circuit. I feel it's more the latter.
Check out YouTube to replace with a like Circuit Breaker, DO NOT Replace a higher AMP Circuit Breaker ie 20 AMP breaker on a 15 Amp Circuit it's a Fire Hazard. Replace the 15 AMP Breaker with a newer 15 Amp one. The current circuit breaker could be doing its job.
Working with Electricity can be intimidating.
Ask your neighbors for Referrals and interview skilled trades (plumber, painter, Carpenter, Roofing , drywall installer, bricklayer, concrete contractor, and floor installer in your area. Visit your local REIA and ask a Licensed General Contractor for Referrals for a list of skilled trades folks above.
Good Luck !
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