Circuit breakers are designed to isolate electrical equipment within an electrical system, protecting it from abnormal currents that could damage it and potentially cause a fire. In this entry, we discuss how to tell if a circuit breaker is compromised and what tools to use for circuit breaker testing. For commercial testing, hiring a generator services company that specializes in breaker installation and maintenance is the best option.
How to tell if a Circuit Breaker is compromised
There are several indications that a circuit breaker could be compromised, with some of the most common being:
1. The Bus Bar Isn't Receiving Power
If the bus bar isn't receiving power, then the breaker may not have power, a situation commonly caused by faulty or corroded wiring.
2. Moisture Exposure
If a breaker is exposed to wetness or moisture, it could immediately malfunction, or eventually malfunction due to the oxidization of internal parts. The latter is usually the case concerning moisture exposure.
3. Signs of Burning
If a circuit breaker has black around its casing, it may have allowed a high current to persist, producing the burning, in which case the switch should be replaced.
4. Signs of Corrosion
If either end of a circuit breaker contains corrosion, replacing the corroded part(s) or refurbishing them may be the best solution.
What Tools to use for Testing
Various tools can be used to test circuit breakers, with the ideal tool depending on a breaker's voltage and construction. Five tools commonly use to test circuit breakers are:
1. Clamping Ammeter
A clamping ammeter is used to find out if a current is running through the circuit breaker. To accurately test for these things, the ammeter should be clamped to one of the main cables leaving the breaker.
2. Electromagnetic Circuit Finder
Electromagnetic circuit finders are used to (a) find out if a current is running through the circuit breaker, and (b) find out which single breaker is controlling the live circuit. Electromagnetic circuit finders operate by having their transmitter plugged into the breaker.
3. Electrostatic Wand
Electrostatic wands can detect whether a wire is hot without coming into contact with it, although their reliability is sometimes not as great as other tools. Electrostatic wands shouldn't be held close to the ground, where they may register signals from ground wires.
4. Digital Multimeter
A multimeter combines the functions of an ohmmeter and a voltmeter into one unit, making it ideal for both measuring a circuit's voltage level and the current's resistance level and continuity.
