I live in Collier and at 9:18 some of my breakers turned off.

[tomwed]

Did this happen to anyone else?

[Jim9368]

Ham radios have been known to trip the GFCI breakers. Happened to several homes in Dunedin. Called home warranty and all were replaced under warranty

[MikeV]

Call Home Warranty so they can set up a time to have all the green dot breakers replaced. If they ask tell them it happened three times.

[Walker2468]

We had the power cord changed on our Whirlpool refrigerator. It was producing a noise that tripped the low voltage breakers, also in Collier.

[The Buckeyes]

Did this happen to anyone else?
Woke up at 2:00 am and found several beakers had been tripped. Live in Pinellas.

[jimbo2012]

It is not ham radio's

the breakers made by Eaton are defective and can be replaced at no charge call warranty or look at your box there is the name of the installer to call.

Do not pay any fee, they are known to be defective in hundreds of homes

[TNLAKEPANDA]

It is not ham radio's

the breakers made by Eaton are defective and can be replaced at no charge call warranty or look at your box there is the name of the installer to call.

Do not pay any fee, they are known to be defective in hundreds of homes

Above is the correct answer. Call the electrical contractor listed on your breaker box and they will come out and replace the breakers at no cost to you.
Problem solved!

We are in Collier also. All our neighbors have done this.

[Chellybean]

It is not ham radio's

the breakers made by Eaton are defective and can be replaced at no charge call warranty or look at your box there is the name of the installer to call.

Do not pay any fee, they are known to be defective in hundreds of homes

Just a little FYI the breakers are not defective it is usually the Ham radio operators putting out to much power at a certain frequency at a certain signal length, which is not allowed by FCC however, it is hard to enforce..
Eaton has adjusted there design of there breaker's to shield them from over powered Ham radio's.
I happen to talk with the engineers in the design area years ago.
Also if a Ham Radio runs high power at 17m it still can happen with the new breakers and they have a manufacture date code of 2014 and before are the breaker's that are effected .
You usually can find the offender with a big whip antenna on there house or hidden in a flag pole or attic.
Good Luck.

[Boomer]

Please do not take up torches and pitchforks and go after the hams.

Fact: Eaton and ARRL worked together to solve the problem. There is an old thread here to that effect. The badly designed breakers should be replaced. The run seems to be in houses built near the same time. Do your homework and follow through for replacement.

I am not going to look for the original thread right now because I am going out and about to the art show. But everything you need to know is buried somewhere in the archives here, including my own posts with the specifics with a link to the ARRL article explaining the problem and the solution.

Please do your homework. Don't be so eager to accuse. This is a design problem that Eaton solved with the help of hams.

Boomer

[Chellybean]

Please do not take up torches and pitchforks and go after the hams.

Fact: Eaton and ARRL worked together to solve the problem. There is an old thread here to that effect. The badly designed breakers should be replaced. The run seems to be in houses built near the same time. Do your homework and follow through for replacement.

I am not going to look for the original thread right now because I am going out and about to the art show. But everything you need to know is buried somewhere in the archives here, including my own posts with the specifics with a link to the ARRL article explaining the problem and the solution.

Please do your homework. Don't be so eager to accuse. This is a design problem that Eaton solved with the help of hams

Boomer

Boomer not accusing anyone, it is just fact.
My family have been ham"s for years and yes you are correct the ham community have helped Eaton in the correction of the tripping breakers.
Which happen to be one of my family members included who had helped.
To say it was a bad design, is not a fair statement but i understand your concern.
I like the ham radio folks and they do alot of good with the missions across the world as my family has done.
Not flaming the Hammer's just pointing out facts.
Thanks Boomer

[tomwed]

Thanks everyone. I was aware of the Eaton tripping breaker problem in another part of town. I think it was about 6 months ago in Gilchrist? Hearing that Collier has the same problem is new to me.

[fred53]

An electrical engineer friend of mine who visited a week ago was asked about the circuit breakers being tripped by ham radios....can't happen. They don't produce enough of an electrical pulse to trip them. He said it's much more likely that there was a power surge in your(and possibly others)line(s).

So one rumor disproved. I also asked about certain breakers not being as well insulated...categorically not true. It you have a 15 amp breaker and 14 amps are being drawn upon it's more likely to be effected by a power surge.

[golfing eagles]

The model of Eaton breakers is a problem, but not the whole story. I had 12 breakers that repeatedly tripped, home warranty replaced them but 2 still were tripping. Once Whirlpool replaced the power cord with one that contained a capacitor, problem was solved

[tuccillo]

ARRL Helps Manufacturer to Resolve Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter RFI Problems (http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-helps-manufacturer-to-resolve-arc-fault-circuit-interrupter-rfi-problems)


An electrical engineer friend of mine who visited a week ago was asked about the circuit breakers being tripped by ham radios....can't happen. They don't produce enough of an electrical pulse to trip them. He said it's much more likely that there was a power surge in your(and possibly others)line(s).

So one rumor disproved. I also asked about certain breakers not being as well insulated...categorically not true. It you have a 15 amp breaker and 14 amps are being drawn upon it's more likely to be effected by a power surge.

[Retiring]

An electrical engineer friend of mine who visited a week ago was asked about the circuit breakers being tripped by ham radios....can't happen. They don't produce enough of an electrical pulse to trip them. He said it's much more likely that there was a power surge in your(and possibly others)line(s).

So one rumor disproved. I also asked about certain breakers not being as well insulated...categorically not true. It you have a 15 amp breaker and 14 amps are being drawn upon it's more likely to be effected by a power surge.

Fred,
Your EE friend is incorrect. Stray RF can trip some CBs. The model and manufacturer of the problem CBs has been identified and most are having the issue corrected.

HAMs can pop CBs. And don’t assume all HAMs are putting out legal power.

[Boomer]

Thank you, Chellybean. :)

I typed that post before I left this morning. Looking back, I see I sounded kind of grouchy and know-it-all-y. (cringe)

I just hope people try that suggested avenue and get an answer and free replacement. But my tone was a bit obnoxious.

Besides, I don't think the hams really need me to defend their honor.

Anyway, thanks.

Boomer
_ . . ./_ _ _ / _ _ _ /_ _ / . / . _ . //

[Marlo]

We also live in Collier and have had problems with the breakers. Our electrician also said a radio wave cannot be powerful enough to trip a breaker. Call home warranty, tell them your breakers are tripping. They are aware of the problem - it's a problem with the breakers themselves. My brother also had this problem in Charlotte so it's not just a Collier problem. The electrical company that wired our home was sent out to replace the breakers (eight of ours and our electrician was Pikes). It doesn't matter whom the electrician was either, isn't just a Pikes Electric problem. You do need to call them soon because the warranty dept. isn't going to be doing repairs for much longer at no cost & if you don't report it before they stop it will have to be at your expense. Ours was done about a month ago.

[village dreamer]

my breakers also have been tripred and I called home warranty dept, I move into my home in sept 2014 its now 18 mounths old so home war. gave me a ele. co .name galaxy they install my breakers, I called them,they came over and charge me $125 just to throw a breaker, and say nothings wrong

[RickeyD]

my breakers also have been tripred and I called home warranty dept, I move into my home in sept 2014 its now 18 mounths old so home war. gave me a ele. co .name galaxy they install my breakers, I called them,they came over and charge me $125 just to throw a breaker, and say nothings wrong

You need to call warranty back. Your electrical system is guaranteed for two years. Make sure you tell warranty they charged you for the service call. Assuming your breakers are tripping multiple times with no overloads, you are covered and you owe them no money and request (demand) a refund.

[dbussone]

Fred,
Your EE friend is incorrect. Stray RF can trip some CBs. The model and manufacturer of the problem CBs has been identified and most are having the issue corrected.

HAMs can pop CBs. And don’t assume all HAMs are putting out legal power.

I'm a ham. I have never exceeded FCC approved power on any band I am authorized to use.

I had problems with my breakers before I ever transmitted word one. I paid several hundred dollars to have my home's electrical installer check our home. I've had continuing problems. I can assure you neither hams, nor amateur radio equipment, are the problems in my case. As you have reported, the problem is created by defective breakers which are overly sensitive to certain frequencies. (Just what I have been told by electricians in the know).

[dbussone]

Please do not take up torches and pitchforks and go after the hams.

Fact: Eaton and ARRL worked together to solve the problem. There is an old thread here to that effect. The badly designed breakers should be replaced. The run seems to be in houses built near the same time. Do your homework and follow through for replacement.


Thank you Boomer. Right on!

[tomwed]

I went to a party tonight with about 70 other people from the south end of town. I met someone in my neighborhood that also experienced breakers tripping at the same time last night. I think it's too coincidental to be an appliance cord. You certainly need to consider all the possibilities.

[mixsonci]

I had one breaker trip yesterday, it was one that had the green "tester" button on it. I thought it was because I plugged my shredder into the same outlet as my computer. Now hearing about everyone else's story, that's probably not the case. I also live in Collier

[Retiring]

I'm a ham. I have never exceeded FCC approved power on any band I am authorized to use.

I had problems with my breakers before I ever transmitted word one. I paid several hundred dollars to have my home's electrical installer check our home. I've had continuing problems. I can assure you neither hams, nor amateur radio equipment, are the problems in my case. As you have reported, the problem is created by defective breakers which are overly sensitive to certain frequencies. (Just what I have been told by electricians in the know).

I commend you for not exceeding legal power but you know some do. I have some personal experience in this area but not going to bore everyone, however I am very familiar with Amateur Extra class. The CBs are overly sensitive to stray RF and I do consider it a manufacturers defect but the fact is the stray RF is coming from Hams, in most cases. No one is calling hams bad people, especially me, but one cannot ignore reality. Eventually this will be a non-issue but in the meantime I chose to not stick my head in the sand and pretend everyone has a bad refrigerator light or dishwasher or garbage disposal or…

[graciegirl]

I commend you for not exceeding legal power but you know some do. I have some personal experience in this area but not going to bore everyone, however I am very familiar with Amateur Extra class. The CBs are overly sensitive to stray RF and I do consider it a manufacturers defect but the fact is the stray RF is coming from Hams, in most cases. No one is calling hams bad people, especially me, but one cannot ignore reality. Eventually this will be a non-issue but in the meantime I chose to not stick my head in the sand and pretend everyone has a bad refrigerator light or dishwasher or garbage disposal or…



Poltergeists?;)

[dewilson58]

I'm a ham. I have never exceeded FCC approved power on any band I am authorized to use.

I had problems with my breakers before I ever transmitted word one. I paid several hundred dollars to have my home's electrical installer check our home. I've had continuing problems. I can assure you neither hams, nor amateur radio equipment, are the problems in my case. As you have reported, the problem is created by defective breakers which are overly sensitive to certain frequencies. (Just what I have been told by electricians in the know).

I had my breakers replaced............always surprised at the posts blaming the HAMs out there. Might as well Blame it on the Rain, or Blame it on Rio.

[Walter123]

Ham radios have been known to trip the GFCI breakers. Happened to several homes in Dunedin. Called home warranty and all were replaced under warranty

Ham radio? Is that what pigs use to communicate? Do they speak in Pig Latin?

[villagetinker]

Friday night, all of the AFCI breakers in our house tripped, minutes after our guess arrived!! had to find the flashlights to get to the garage to reset the breakers. Will be calling electrician Monday. We live in Pinellas.

[tomwed]

Friday night, all of the AFCI breakers in our house tripped, minutes after our guess arrived!! had to find the flashlights to get to the garage to reset the breakers. Will be calling electrician Monday. We live in Pinellas.
was it 9:18pm? that's when mine tripped

[natalierp]

Yes several of us on our street had them all replaced by Galaxy at no cost since they were changed no more kicking of the breakers for any of us.

[burky]

As Chief Engineer of a AM Radio Station for 10 years, this issue caught my attention, so I dug more deeply into the facts.

The National Association for Amateur Radio (ARRL) initiated research on this issue in 2013 and did exhaustive lab testing.

Here is a link to the ARRL web page that explains everything in detail....
ARRL Helps Manufacturer to Resolve Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter RFI Problems (http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-helps-manufacturer-to-resolve-arc-fault-circuit-interrupter-rfi-problems)

They built a test fixture in which could test any type of circuit breaker. In a nutshell this is what they discovered.

Mike Gruber, the ARRL Lab’s EMC specialist, used a 1,000 watt HAM transmitter (more powerful than WVLG The Villages radio) as an RF source. Gruber says he bought one of “every AFCI breaker that I could get my hands on,” but when the Lab began testing them, none of the devices tripped.

A ham in New Mexico who had reported AFCI problems sent some of his breakers to the ARRL Lab, “and those tripped when we tested them,” Gruber said. The problematic breakers were certain models made by Eaton Corporation. “We already had an Eaton breaker, an older model, but it did not trip,” he noted, adding that the breaker had a yellow button. The newer model, which had a white button, did trip in the presence of RF, however, even at power levels down to about 50 watts (a fraction of the legal HAM power level of 1,000 watts) on 17 meters.

Gruber contacted Eaton, and two of the manufacturer’s engineers visited ARRL Headquarters in August. “Eaton was extremely cooperative and eager to resolve this,” Gruber recounted. “They spent the day with us, going over our test methods and took some of the problematic breakers back with them, eventually developing a modified version.

“We have just finished testing the new version of the breaker, and it did not trip during any transmissions with our 1,000 watt transmitter and in other tests,” Gruber reported.
=========

The suggestions in the forum posts above to have your Eaton breakers replaced is the right process to undertake to get this issue resolved.

[Willie-Wildkit]

Did this happen to anyone else?

we were out but we had the DVR set to record a program, it showed that the DVR lost power around that time...

this has been going on for 2 years, the electrician continues to replace the circuit breakers with the ones where the box is marked 'radio'...

the circuit breaker mfg has sent newer versions, now after two years we are down to just one breaker which seems to go off...

when I first called the electrician 2 years ago, they wondered when I was going to call, since everyone around me in Collier had called and they informed me that I live right behind the person with a ham radio...

the more people I speak with, the more I find out that others are having the problem..

suggest we post the date and times when any of our Easton GFI circuit breakers are tripped...

[DeanFL]

hmmm. Our house in Gilchrist is 2 years old. NEVER had a breaker issue here - but several of our neighbors had but their homes are 1+ year older. We do have 8 Eaton green-labeled breakers in our box. Installed by Galaxy. Again, never had an issue.

I want to be honest but not lose out if a problem does develop later. For those 'in the know' should we call Home Warranty or Galaxy and say some popped? Is there a warranty period for this issue? BTW, we do have a ham radio person living 1 block away...

[HiHoSteveO]

There was a long and now closed thread titled "Breakers Tripping in Neighborhood" back in September. Much info there.

It seems that in some cases there is a legitimate electrical problem and the AFCI breaker is doing it's job. (post light problem and refrigerator problems) but that would only affect one breaker.

In the case of multiple AFCI breakers tripping at the same time, I would look at ham radio being the cause. Remember, ham radio does not have to be at a base station, it could also be mobile.

It's not the ham radio operators fault and it's not The Villages fault. Seems the newest version of AFCI breaker just didn't get enough radio frequency testing.

If you'd like to watch it actually happen, take a look at this video where the ham radio operator worked with neighbors to try to narrow down the problem. The sound cuts in and out a little.

This video is NOT in The Villages.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsILD0Fce1s

[golfing eagles]

we were out but we had the DVR set to record a program, it showed that the DVR lost power around that time...

this has been going on for 2 years, the electrician continues to replace the circuit breakers with the ones where the box is marked 'radio'...

the circuit breaker mfg has sent newer versions, now after two years we are down to just one breaker which seems to go off...

when I first called the electrician 2 years ago, they wondered when I was going to call, since everyone around me in Collier had called and they informed me that I live right behind the person with a ham radio...

the more people I speak with, the more I find out that others are having the problem..

suggest we post the date and times when any of our Easton GFI circuit breakers are tripped...

Do you have a Whirlpool refrigerator? The power cord on some models can be an issue

[LynnWM158]

I live in a new construction and have had breaker problems since I moved in. Breakers have been replaced due to the constant tripping. A few days ago parts of my house went dark, as did a neighbor' house. According to the electricians it is thought to be caused by an old ham system. When SECO checked my system they also stated that it appeared to be caused by an old ham system. SECO said they are trying to zero in on the user of the older ham system. Ham operators are amazing and the services they provide during disasters has been incredible. It's just frustrating to deal with.

[virtualcynthia]

We had the problem and so did two adjacent neighbors. It happen post warranty period. we called the electrician on the list the builder gave us and they changed them no charge. The electrician agreed that there was a connection between ham radios and these certain breakers.

The video in this thread shows the relationship and effects at various frequencies and power output. Maybe guidelines could be established for ham radios. I don't know if that is possible because I'm not sure what ham radios are used for and if their minimum required output is still tripping breakers. BTW, I'm in Charlotte and have not had a problem after the replacement

[OhioBuckeye]

A lot of us in The Village of Charolette had breakers that were tripping, mine tripped 4 times & then I did call Home Warranty & they did send someone out & the did change them. The only thing I can tell you what tripped them is what they told me, the Ham operators were on the same frequency. I really don't know why these same 7 breakers are the only breakers that tripped. All 7 breakers had a little "Test" tag on them & had a little "Test" button on them. Does anybody know why these type of breakers were used? Also 6 of them were 15 amp & 1 was 20 amp. I never ever had a breaker trip up north because of some frequency or had this type of breaker in any of my entrance box.

[villagetinker]

Follow up, I checked with some of the close neighbors, and so far 5 neighbors or more had simultaneous breaker tripping, all were AFCI breakers. I called home warranty today, and the electrician will be out Wednesday to replace 6 breakers. These are all Eaton breaker, WHITE test button, and GREEN stripe with the word TEST.

As a retired professional electrical engineer, it appears to be interesting that this recent disruption was over a large area. I would seem to me that this would point more to some form of conducted electrical noise on the SECO system, then the Ham radio interference. I had tried to discuss this we SECO before, but did not get anywhere. Prior to retiring, the utility I worked for, did have occasions where noise was conducted through the system. As a matter of fact they use this to actually remotely read their 1.4 million revenue meters, but this was in a frequency band that does not interfere with the Eaton AFCI circuit breakers.

Continue to call home warranty about this, and get your breakers changed out.

[jgreen12]

Yes. We live in collier also and our breakers tripped the same time

[sherri2305]

Yes, was told by SECO that they had replaced breakers in over 300 homes (through home warranty). Also told the HAM operator story. So why not install the appropriate breakers in the first place? Short answer - not in accordance with contract. So I guess a cost/benefits analysis determined cheaper, yet effective breakers will see more money than the costs of replacing a small percentage of breakers. As previously mentioned, call home warranty about electrical warranty, and schedule your replacement. It must have happened at least 3 times to qualify for replacement.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Two days ago I was sitting in front of my computer which is in the front guest room and the breaker blew. At first I thought the whole went out, but it was only one breaker. I live in Lake county. Should I call my electric company and have it looked at after only one occurrence?

[mcmurryl]

It's a simple problem and fix. Your builders electrical contractor installed inexpensive unshielded breakers - very sensitive devices that will react (as designed) to very small currents from any electromagnetic source. Call TV Home Warranty, explain that it has happened frequently for no apparent reason, and they will have the contractor call you for an appointment to replace them under warranty. Home Warranty needs to hear that it is abnormally frequent and not a faulty lamp or outlet. The good news is that the contractor is stepping up at his expense to correct the issue.

[villagetinker]

Let me provide some clarification. There is no cost difference between the original AFCI breakers installed and the replacements. There is a difference in the design. The original breakers, were good, the second generation had problems with radio transmitters, however this was NOT discovered until LOTS of them were installed. They continued to be installed until a suitable replacement AFCI breaker was designed and tested.
I just had mine replaced, and the newest generation LOOKS EXACTLY THE SAME as the ones that were replaced. This may be the cause of some of the confusion as you cannot look at the breakers and see if these are the affected design. The result is that these are being replaced on a complaint basis.
Hope this helps.

[krausaj]

I live in Fernandina and our breakers were replaced twice. They continued to trip and were again replaced at no charge. The breakers continue to trip-just not as often. I have been told that it is a ham operator and not to use GE bulbs. I have been asked what else did you have on..as if I run around and turn on all the lights, the TV, the oven, the stereo, the vacuum...etc. Yesterday the breaker that controls the opposite side of the house tripped. I had on one light and the iron. ( that will teach me to iron!) I have lived in enough houses to know that this is not normal. Is anyone else experiencing this? I am concerned now that the house is not properly wired. Any calming thoughts???

[RickeyD]

I live in Fernandina and our breakers were replaced twice. They continued to trip and were again replaced at no charge. The breakers continue to trip-just not as often. I have been told that it is a ham operator and not to use GE bulbs. I have been asked what else did you have on..as if I run around and turn on all the lights, the TV, the oven, the stereo, the vacuum...etc. Yesterday the breaker that controls the opposite side of the house tripped. I had on one light and the iron. ( that will teach me to iron!) I have lived in enough houses to know that this is not normal. Is anyone else experiencing this? I am concerned now that the house is not properly wired. Any calming thoughts???

Remove the arc fault breakers, put 'em in a box so you can reinstall them if you sell the house and install standard breakers. Problem solved, calm enough ? Very easy DIY job, if you're squeamish about electricity just kill the main breaker and get to it.

[villagetinker]

Krausaj, there are very valid reason for having the AFCI breakers installed. Removing these, MAY impact your insurance coverage if you have a fire, or example. These breakers are designed to detect an ACRING fault from, for example, a pinched cord.
Since you have continuing problems, I would check with my neighbors to see if they are having problems also. If not, I would contact SECO, and see if they can do some testing on your house to verify grounding and electrical connections. I would also, contact the local Ham radio operator club, and see if they could local the local radio operator. A monitor would let you know if the breaker tripping is occurring when he is transmitting.
Finally, if you do an Internet search, you will find lots of other info (and probably misinformation).
Send me a PM, I have some equipment that might help.
I really caution you against removing these breakers and replacing with regular breakers.

[RickeyD]

Krausaj, there are very valid reason for having the AFCI breakers installed. Removing these, MAY impact your insurance coverage if you have a fire, or example. These breakers are designed to detect an ACRING fault from, for example, a pinched cord.
Since you have continuing problems, I would check with my neighbors to see if they are having problems also. If not, I would contact SECO, and see if they can do some testing on your house to verify grounding and electrical connections. I would also, contact the local Ham radio operator club, and see if they could local the local radio operator. A monitor would let you know if the breaker tripping is occurring when he is transmitting.
Finally, if you do an Internet search, you will find lots of other info (and probably misinformation).
Send me a PM, I have some equipment that might help.
I really caution you against removing these breakers and replacing with regular breakers.


Arc fault is serious overkill and not used in commercial/industrial applications. Just more BS government regs.

[marshwon1]

yes ours went off also around 9:18 and we live in Collier. It happened once before prior year.

[lousuemax]

Did this happen to anyone else?
if someone in the area has a ham radio it will turn off your breakers, call the villages and they will replace your breakers free

[lousuemax]

if someone in your area has a ham radio it will trip your breakers, call the villages and they will replace them free

[tomwed]

if someone in your area has a ham radio it will trip your breakers, call the villages and they will replace them free
I think mine tripped because a ham radio was in a truck. They broadcasted, mine tripped and they kept going. Otherwise they would be tripping all the time. Don't cha think?

[villagetinker]

I think mine tripped because a ham radio was in a truck. They broadcasted, mine tripped and they kept going. Otherwise they would be tripping all the time. Don't cha think?

Tomwed,
You may be on to something. I was looking at the Community watch vehicles, but did not see any antennas, not sure if they have hand held radios or if these would cause the problem, but with the random occurrences, a mobile transmitter seems a logical source.