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Dryer trips Breaker.

09:17AM | 11/10/99

Member Since: 11/09/99
1 lifetime posts

Dryer trips Breaker.

This is something that has just started happening about three weeks ago.

When I, or my Wife start the dryer, it runs for about 10 minutes and then it trips the top half of a 30 amp double sided breaker, (I'm not sure the correct term for this breaker so I feel I should describe it to you).

It is two breakers, one on top of the other with four throw switches. Of the four throw switches, the two in the middle are 50 amp and are for the Range.

The switch on the top and on the bottom are 30 amp and are for the dryer.

Both sets of switches are joined together by a steel bar so they must be reset or trip together.

When the 30 amp dryer breaker trips, it is only the top portion that actually trips.

My question is, is there a problem with the dryer causing the breaker to trip, (the ***** Kenmore dryer is only about 3 1/2 years old), or is the problem with the breaker, which is 20 years old.

I'd appreciate any help.
Thanks

[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited September 29, 2002).]

Joe Tedesco

04:17AM | 09/29/02

Member Since: 07/27/02
141 lifetime posts

www.joetedesco.com

[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited April 09, 2003).]

old_timer

08:58AM | 09/29/02

Member Since: 07/30/02
5 lifetime posts

sounds like the top 30 is mated with the first 50, and the bottom 30 is mated with the second 50. as far as i know, you cant buy this configuration. at last i've never run across one of them, in the past 35 years. i suspect this is a "home-made" rig, and all four breakers need replacing with a 30 amp.two-pole, for the dryer, and a 50 amp. two-pole, for the range. after that is done, do a current draw analysis, or get someone who knows how to do this, on the dryer, and see if its drawing high amps. (more than 30) for some reason. could be a defective heating element, or a motor problem.

motor-T

02:42PM | 09/29/02

Member Since: 09/27/02
9 lifetime posts

This sounds like a Siemens double-double pole breaker they take up only two spaces instead of 4.
The problem is when one fails you got to replace the whole unit.
Best bet is to replace the whole thing with two new 2-pole breakers 30 and 50 respectively.
If you are uncomfortable working around the panel call an electrician.

Mark

Electrical Inspector

02:59PM | 09/29/02

Member Since: 09/27/02
76 lifetime posts

I am suspicious of this breaker, do you live in a mobile or manufactured home?

harold endean

03:28PM | 09/29/02

Member Since: 08/30/02
23 lifetime posts

I agree with Motor T, it sounds like an ITE/Siemans Quad style breaker. The two outer breakers (30 Amp)are tied together with a tie hand and the two inner ones (50 A)
are also tied together. It sounds like the top 30 amp breaker is tripping. It sounds like the top 30 amp breaker is tripping because of (A) too high a load on it. ( Drawing too much power. or (B) there is a short on the one leg. ( Something is shorting out and tripping the breaker.) (C) I have seen when you use quad breaker there is a lot of power being used in a small space. I have seen failure to the bus bar under a quad breaker.

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