Breakers Tripping
 

I live north of 466A, in St James and many of my breakers kicked last night at about 10:15pm. There were 6 in a row, all 15 amp. It was like they went off one at time in rapid sequence. My house is three years old. I'm not too worried because this is a first, but I do wonder why, all of a sudden, this is happening. I called SECO and they said they have had numerous calls and continue to investigate.
My facts, as I see them:
-All breakers in a row
-All are 15 amps
-no lightning in the area
-I have a noise suppressor, installed by SECO, at the outside meter.

Hope we get a definitive answer soon.
:bigbow:

I live in Sanible. Two 15 amp breakers tripped around 10 pm last night.

Just checked my panel-noticed the dedicated smoke detector circuit is on a ARC breaker-I am removing it and putting in a conventional breaker & if my refrigerator is on an ARC breaker I will change that one also--these are important circuits & they should not be subject to nuisance tripping despite what the current code says. I don't know when the ARC rule became part of the NEC, but certain aspects are over kill. And yes, I am a retired electrical contractor.

:i think it's aliens:

If SECO does respond with a cause, would you please let us know? I have not had any issues but have found this thread very interesting.

I disagree. Of course he has the legal right but since he is the cause of the problem the right thing to do is to stop disrupting your neighbors or else pay for the fix. There is common courtesy and then there is that pesky legal right.

My 15 amp breakers tripped again last night, sometime between 8-9:30 pm. We live in Sanibel. Anyone else? AND what do I need to do to have this fixed?

I think if you read the whole thread, there were some knowledgeable posters who gave fixes for the problem.

Breakers went last night, anyone else?

What kind of breakers, GFCI, AFCI? Was there any lightning in the area? Anything else unusual? please include additional info, this helps all in determining if there is a pattern.

I am in the Village of Pinellas, I have never had any of the above types of breakers trip, in almost 2 years. Neighbor had problems with an AFCI breaker due to the Whirlpool refrigerator LED light noise problem. I did one time have all of the GFCI receptacles trip in the garage when there was a close in lightning strike.

The neighbors “right” to his hobby stops at my property line. The neighbors “right” to his hobby should not disrupt my life. What about my “right” to peaceful enjoyment of my home. Why should the neighbor’s hobby cost me money and inconvenience??? This applies anywhere in this country, including TV.

I realize it’s difficult to tell a neighbor he must stop his hobby till HE makes the necessary modifications to your home. Most hams are reasonable but some may tell you to pound sand, as happened to me (not in TV).

Hopefully, with the updated CBs all will be well in paradise. Wishing everyone a quick resolution.

Refrigerators & freezers should never be on a GFI & a AFCI breaker.

Ok, just a point of clarification. I just checked my CB panel, AFCI breakers are for bedrooms, living room, dining room and nook areas. GFCI breakers, master bath (ceiling light), and washer dryer. the refrigerator and Microwave, etc. were all on regular circuit breakers.
In a previous post I was not clear about the neighbors problem, the refrigerator (on a regular CB) was causing the AFCI for the living room to trip. The electrician simply swapped the refrigerator to a CB on the opposite side of the panel, and this seemed to have stopped the problem.

So it would still be interesting to see if SECO comes up with a cause for multiple CBs tripping at multiple homes in the same general time frame.

Hopes this helps.

Just to clarify, on the newer homes in The Villages, Refrigerators and freezers are not on GFCI or AFCI breakers.

Some refrigerators emit a radio frequency that can sometimes trip an AFCI breaker, even when it is NOT on that breaker.

As to HAM radio operators, as I said before, the fault here is with the AFCI breakers, as most HAM radio operators keep their outputs well below allowed legal limits.

Hope this helps...

Frank

"Eaton’s Relyea said that hams experiencing unwanted tripping problems with their or their neighbors’ AFCIs should contact the manufacturer as the first step in rectifying the compatibility issue."

ARRL Helps Manufacturer to Resolve Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter RFI Problems

If some neighbors are having a problem and some not than maybe the problem is unique to a certain make and model of AFCI breakers.

Find out from your electrician hired by the builder the make and model of your breakers. Contact the manufacturer and see what they say. I would use email and forward everything to all concerned including SECO and the village ham radio club if possible.

Update from SECO. I talked to them today and they are working the problem of breakers tripping in our area. They may have a solution and will let us know when the fix is complete. If it happens again please call and let them know.

Thank you for the update!!! I would be real interested if they share their solution. Please keep us informed. :pepper2::pepper2::pepper2:

We also had a breaker trip on Monday and then again today. We called SECO and were told they are working with The Villages to find a fix. She mentioned Eaton brand GFI. They are keeping a list of people who have experienced the problem. We are in hillsborough. The area SECO is working on is North of 44 and South of 466A. We will share as info is provided.

Here is what worked for me and I'd assume it's valid for other owners of homes under warranty: (HOME WARRANTY DEPT IS THE KEY!)

1. Contact Home Warranty Dept and POLITELY explain the breaker problem you experience.
2. Home Warranty will refer you to the electrical contractor who did your house.
3. Call the contractor and state how you were referred. Explain the problem again.
4. Your contractor will probably already know the trouble with the AFCI breakers is really caused by HAM operators and will schedule a visit to your house.
5. ALL my AFCI breakers were replaced (without charge) by the latest generation which is immune to the radio signals.
6. In the six days since replacement there have been no "false trips" and life is good!

NOTE: This is not SECO's fault but they were most courteous when I phoned them , SECO truck arrived within a half hour, and although "not official" they know it's HAM interference causing the tripping and suggested contacting Home Warranty. BTW, although very rude to be causing troubles within the neighborhoods, the HAM people are not doing anything illegal and can not be forced to make changes or desist. Also, when you contact the electrical contractor (AFTER Home Warranty) you may find that some know about the situation and others may not. With mine (who will remain nameless) there was never any doubt. My next door neighbor found his contractor to be skeptical and less cooperative.) Mine simply asked me to count the 15 & 20 Amp breakers so they could bring the right quantity and amperage units for replacement. It only took about 15 minutes to do the job and they were on their way. Good service and excellent response from all, including Home Warranty and SECO and electrical contractor. Second time I have had excellent service by going through the correct channel here.

Actually I did call Contact Home Warranty Dept and politely explain the breaker problem that I and my neighbors experienced. My house is 2.5 years old and my neighbors are just over a year old. Since Home Warranty could not assist me, that is why I called SECO. They acknowledge that there is a problem with breakers tripping and they are working the issue. Will SECO say it's their problem and resolve it with no cost to the home owners? Then again I may be told that its my issue and I will have to call an electrician at my expense. When I here from SECO I will post their response.

Are the breakers tripping the Eaton afci, they have a small white test button on them?

those are the ones that tripped in my home (but only once), interesting all of those about 6 or 7 not any of the others.

If so then maybe Eaton brand is the issue?

By the way the term for this is called "nuisance tripping"

Exactly the breaker we had trip, and it was a nuisance. Aptly named.

Yes, all mine that were replaced were AFCI, white dots, and 15-20 AMP

Because the original installers purchased through distributors in large quantities, they have to be returned / replaced by that installer so they can return to the manufacturer if you want it done "No Charge". As stated earlier, the key is to start with Home Warranty with referral to original installer, etc. Again, SECO is not to blame here.

We had this issue. Pike Electric replaced the breakers free. It was because of a HAM radio operator and it wasn't improper anything with the HAM equipment. The breakers were not manufactured with tolerance to HAM equipment and the electric company is very compliant. In repairing problem.

Do you still have to be in your 1 year home warranty period to have your breakers replaced?

I haven't been on TOTV lately and was surprised to see this thread. We have had our Master bedroom breaker flip twice today and several days last week. We have been worried that it is due to something in our bedroom shorting out.

I would love to have this taken care of. But wasn't sure if the electrician (Pike in our case) would replace the breakers if we are out of warranty.

Anyone know? We are in Gilchrist and no HAM operators nearby to our knowledge. Our house is 1 1/2 yrs old.

Thanks for any info!

Electric is covered for two years under warranty.

Dottie,

Since this is a reoccurring problem, try unplugging everything in the bedroom (if you can) and see if the AFCI breaker trips. If it does, definitely contact the electrician or home warranty. If it noes not try plugging in devices ONE AT A TIME. As you do move the cord, turn them on and off etc. Also check that all light bulbs are tight in the lamps. AFCI breakers are designed to be very sensitive to ACRING type faults, so bad switches, loose connections, as well as worn cords and other sources of electrical noise cause them to trip.
Of course if you are uncomfortable doing any of the call a professional.
Hope this helps.

Now it hit Mayflower Loop in the Village of Charlotte last night. At least 4 houses that I know of had several breakers trip all at once. I had 6 trip in our house.

My guess
 

is the power company messing with voltage, causing a spike.

We live in Sanibel, very near Charlotte. This has been happening to us and several of the neighbors for a number of weeks now. Seco has advised they are aware of the issue and working on it????

Call warranty, even after the year is up.

You're not going to believe this but at 6:25 this morning all 3 of my toilets flushed at the same time. It woke me up.

We also live on Mayflower Loop in Charlotte and had all seven of the Eaton AFCI breakers trip Sunday night.

If your are a SECO customer, please let them know. Even though this is not their fault, they are working with TV to resolve the problem. They are keeping a database of customers who are affected.

I have had a toilet flush on its own, but never three at the same time. Could be because I have never owned a three bathroom home.

Well that's something. But if this continues at the end of the season I'm going to enter the Tidy Bowl. I can't wait to see the Ring.

maybe when the circuit breaker trips it flushes the toilet, it called a no touch flush :ohdear:

how about a nuisance flush?

The color of the button could be the common denominator that is easy for the homeowner to see. It might be a run that was done during a certain time period. I read something about older ones having yellow buttons. Glancing through this thread, it seems like the houses having problems were built around the same general time -- unless I missed something.

SECO or warranty or whoever should contact Eaton. Eaton will know.

I retired from a very large electric utility. I can tell you that the tripping of a breaker can happen due to ham operation. In fact it happened to me in the villages in my own home. When checking out the breakers first, I realized that the villages put in the cheapest breakers they could find. I replaced all the breakers with new ones and the problem was solved. Yes, it does cost quite a bit to do that. However fighting with a person with a ham set. Will only create more problems. Not the best fix in the world but given the junk in your electric box you may want to do it anyway. Just my thoughts.