[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by 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???

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by tomwed

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]

Originally Posted by lousuemax

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]

Originally Posted by tomwed

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.