COMMUNITY FORUM

Forum >
Electrical & Lighting >
dryer tripping 30 amp breaker

05:12AM | 03/16/03

Member Since: 03/15/03
2 lifetime posts

dryer tripping 30 amp breaker

odd problem (for me at least). my dryer is about 4 years old. it just started tripping the 30 amp breaker when the heat is on.

when the heat is not on (just on tumble dry, no heat) it runs the full 70 minutes with no problems.

when the heat is on, it trips at almost exactly 10 minutes. resetting the breaker allows it to run for 10 minutes more...ad infinitum.

i suspect the heating element, but i'm not entirely sure. they're expensive for this model (about %25 of the cost of a new dryer), so i want to be sure before i buy a new one.

thanks!

DanO

08:41AM | 03/16/03

Member Since: 11/11/02
2293 lifetime posts

** i suspect the heating element, but i'm not entirely sure. **

It's more common for that symptom to be an indication of a problem in the breaker box or breaker rather than the dryer. If the problem were in the dryer, the breaker would usually trip as soon as the defective component received power.

I would think a weak breaker the most likely cause followed by a bad connection between the breaker and the breaker panel.

You can read a similar recent discussion in the BobVila.com Fix it For'em Message Board:

LINK > Dryer tripping breaker

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site

=Ð~~~~~~

Shue

12:35PM | 04/01/03

Member Since: 05/18/02
30 lifetime posts

OK is it a whirlpool or Kenmore?? The newer dryers from them have a smaller heating element. Easier to remove. I have seen these elements sag at the top and contact the heater housing. Worth a look.

james in atlanta

01:45PM | 04/01/03

Member Since: 03/15/03
2 lifetime posts

well...it's a frigidaire. and i took the whole thing apart. then posted here. checked the breaker (took apart the panel) and found that the wire leading to the breaker was scorched.

i decided to clip that down and replace the breaker. it seems to be fine since.

i'm a little worried about what scorched the wire like that....but for now, i'm good!