Noticed the 240v 50A breaker that runs to my garage/barn is running 16 degrees warmer than the other nearby breakers, 110 F vs 94F when I just checked. It seems logical that when there is a load on things (barn fans running) there might be some heat generated, but is that at all unusual for the breaker to be warmer than other nearby breakers? It's something that never occurred to me before.
- Thread starter Bret4207
- Start date
Jaden
Member
- Location
- Eastern Nebraska
A possible cause of a breaker running warmer is a loose connection on one of the lugs. Might be good to check.
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
Normal for a breaker with a load to run warmer than without a load.
That is a very small temp increase, I would not be concerned. But if you want to look into it, pull the breaker and clean the clips on the back where it clips onto the buss bars. Of course, the buss bars will still be hot unless you have a main to turn off the power.
If everything is clean and no heat discoloration, it's good. If the back of the breaker is charred or the clips have been hot, replace the breaker, move it to an unused position if available.
Also tighten the wire connections. If any are heat discolored, cut them back to fresh wire.
That is a very small temp increase, I would not be concerned. But if you want to look into it, pull the breaker and clean the clips on the back where it clips onto the buss bars. Of course, the buss bars will still be hot unless you have a main to turn off the power.
If everything is clean and no heat discoloration, it's good. If the back of the breaker is charred or the clips have been hot, replace the breaker, move it to an unused position if available.
Also tighten the wire connections. If any are heat discolored, cut them back to fresh wire.
Stephen Newell
Well-known Member
It's not normal for a breaker to be running noticeably warmer. 50 amps should be sufficient for fans. Like others have said I would check the connections. Is the wire six gauge? If smaller that could be generating heat.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
What make and model of breaker ? Could
Be a candidate to remove ,
Clean and re-install
Thanks to all. I was keeping an eye on it and it got up to 147!!!. Shut the main off, and exchanged it for a new breaker, tightened everything up, made sure stuff was clean. New breaker is nice and cool!
Thanks again!
It was a Bryant breaker with heavy aluminum wire, not sure of size. Pretty sure the breaker is at least 25 year old.
Roger Tomfohrde
Member
Aluminum wire says it all, that stuff will loosen over time.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
Oh for goodness sakes . Wish you had told us this was a ghastly and dreaded Bryant breaker panel . They rate right down there with Zinsco . Some of the FPE Federal Pioneer/Federal pacific are little better .
These are some of the best fire starters in the business .
Please change that panel ASAP . You were fortunate to have caught that prior to a fire .
(quoted from post at 17:00:14 08/11/21)
Oh for goodness sakes . Wish you had told us this was a ghastly and dreaded Bryant breaker panel . They rate right down there with Zinsco . Some of the FPE Federal Pioneer/Federal pacific are little better .
These are some of the best fire starters in the business .
Please change that panel ASAP . You were fortunate to have caught that prior to a fire .
Well, as it happens I am planning on having a real live electrician take a look at some other issues I have in a few weeks. I'll talk to him about the panel. Are they really that bad?
Based on my experience, Id suspect EITHER the use of aluminum wire, especially absent the proper anti oxidant, orrrrrrrr the terminals are
too loose therefore generating heat. They may run a bit hotter under load but its the I Squared R heat generated in a loose connection that
can be the major cause of heat.
John T Noooooooo Warranty too long retired from power distribution
too loose therefore generating heat. They may run a bit hotter under load but its the I Squared R heat generated in a loose connection that
can be the major cause of heat.
John T Noooooooo Warranty too long retired from power distribution
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
You will sleep better with a square D panel with a slide interlock to turn it into a safe and legal generator transfer system.
Or one of these .https://www.homehardware.ca/en/80-circuit-200-amp-combination-generator-panel-box-with-36-circuit-back-up/p/3676599?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhZ7C1-Kr8gIVzXxvBB0pcwojEAAYASAAEgJNx_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
Figured that you could find a generator to plug into the panel .
How much load
On the panel ?
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
Pull the breaker and check the health of the buss bar and check where the breaker for
signs of heat stress.
Recently I had to replace 200 amp load center. The circuit breaker connections failed
and burnt the aluminum buss bar.
One other time the 100 main circuit breaker failed. Couldn't find the old style of
square D breaker, So electrician used a 100 amp breaker and back feed the buss bars.
Breakers do fail. Breakers do generate a little heat too. Overload breaker, too much
heat and it trips.
One time at a steel mill a breaker was located in a room that was too hot. Heat
tripped the breaker. We had to bring in outside cooler air to prevent tripping.
signs of heat stress.
Recently I had to replace 200 amp load center. The circuit breaker connections failed
and burnt the aluminum buss bar.
One other time the 100 main circuit breaker failed. Couldn't find the old style of
square D breaker, So electrician used a 100 amp breaker and back feed the buss bars.
Breakers do fail. Breakers do generate a little heat too. Overload breaker, too much
heat and it trips.
One time at a steel mill a breaker was located in a room that was too hot. Heat
tripped the breaker. We had to bring in outside cooler air to prevent tripping.
Okay, true I do have a 25Kw alternator that is here of long term outages. That makes sense now.
I believe it's a 200 amp entrance. It was new 25-ish years back. The panel I think was fine at the time. It's the house wiring and barn wiring that is the concern for me. The house was allegedly "gutted" and all new wiring put in just before we got it. What was concealed was that drunken idiots with no electrical experience did the wiring- really- actual alcoholics off the streets in NYC I'm told, brought up here by the former owner to dry them out! And I admit that I've done some sketchy "farmer wiring to get by for now" stuff over the years. That's why I'm getting a licensed pro out here shortly. I will be sure to ask about the main panel when he's here. Thanks!
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