Circuit Breaker shutting down but not tripping?

Are you sure that the breaker is not tripping.

On many breakers the handle does not move or only moves slightly when trip.

But if you put your fingers on it and slightly move it you will see that it free moves to the off position. And after moved solidly to the off position then you can move it back to the one position to reset it.

An untripped breaker requires force to move it towards the off position.

I was pretty sure it was not tripping but I will keep an eye on it.

After shutting it off and on several time last night with no luck I finally left it off.

This morning I turned it back on and it works.

Turning everything on and off does not trip it. I guess I will wait and see.

I am sure the circuit will go out again.

Thanks.

Do you have a way test the voltage? You need to test the voltage at the breaker terminal when the power is out. If there is no voltage then the breaker connection to the bus bar might be corroded or burnt and not making connection. There is not much to do for that problem other than replacing the panel or just moving the breaker to a new location where the bus bar is still good.

If there is votlage on the breaker then you have loose connection somewhere else on the circuit. Could be in any junction box on the ciruit including, receptacles, switches, light fixtures, or junction boxes.

My power goes out but the main cirvuit breaker is still on. I have to turn in off then on for the power to be restored. My hot water heater is what triggers it after about 10 minutes of being on. I live in a apt and myb landlord of course won't fix it.

My power goes out but the main cirvuit breaker is still on. I have to turn in off then on for the power to be restored. My hot water heater is what triggers it after about 10 minutes of being on. I live in a apt and myb landlord of course won't fix it.