Checking to see if a breaker is good or bad (READ DESCRIPTION BELOW)

Have you ever wondered whether or not a breaker is good or bad? This quick video highlights two methods to determine if a breaker works. A THIRD METHOD would be to place a load on the breaker temporarily that draws more current than the breaker can handle. If it trips, your breaker is good. If it doesn’t trip, it’s time to replace the breaker. This third method is what is known as a load test. It is done frequently in industrial settings on high amp breakers to validate that they work. A company that specializes in this type of testing will perform the test with a machine called a “load bank”.

Note to the reader, make sure if you are load testing your breakers that the appliance you are attaching it to is 1. On, and 2. If it is 2 pole, make sure both poles are on a breaker each (preferably the same amp rated breaker).

Brought to you by www.mkoelectric.com. MKO ELECTRIC provides electrician services for the northern Virginia area.

• #people_blogs
• #bad_breaker
• #good_breaker
• #checking_breaker
• #continuity_to_breaker
• #voltage_to_breaker