A circuit breaker is a device for disconnecting AC or DC circuits. It is located on the dashboard, at the point of entry of electricity into an apartment or house. The device is protected against short circuits and overloads of electrical wiring. It is necessary to figure out why the machine knocks out in the dashboard, and what to do if it is repeatedly triggered.
Features of the circuit breaker
A circuit breaker (AB) is a switching contact device that is capable of switching on current, conducting it and disconnecting it. It functions both in emergency situations and under normal conditions in the circuit for a specified time. AB plays both a protective and a control role at the same time. Such devices perform the following tasks:
- de-energizing the site in case of power failure;
- disconnection of the circuit in case of a short circuit;
- overload protection during the passage of excessively high currents.
The characteristics of the machine depend on the format of the protected section of the network. The device must monitor the current parameters, if they exceed the permissible threshold values, avoiding overloads, and also turn off the section in case of a short circuit, overheating of the wires.
Depending on the function performed, there are machines for minimum and maximum current, minimum voltage and reverse power. Modular devices are distinguished by design features. They are used in household networks where currents are small. These are mainly single-pole or double-pole devices. Cast switches are installed in an industrial environment with a current of up to 1 kA. Air automatic devices are used in circuits with powerful installations. They can withstand currents up to 6.3 kA.
There are such means of protective shutdown as RCD and difavtomat. The first device is not a complete protection of the circuit and the devices included in it.
The functions of the RCD are to prevent electric shock. The differential automatic device combines a circuit breaker and a residual current device in one device.
The reasons for the automatic machine
The disconnection of the circuit breaker may be due to a short circuit or overload of the electrical wiring, a malfunction of the device itself or connected household appliances. The device can be turned on again, but before that it is important to determine why the machine was knocked out.
Network congestion - the most common reason for knocking out a machine gun. This is an emergency mode of operation, in which the passing current is higher than the permissible design value. Most often, the situation happens when several devices are plugged into one outlet. For example, if the socket has two sockets and a washing machine and a microwave oven are connected to it at the same time. The load increases and the circuit breaker trips. Also, overloading can happen due to the fault of the supplier, when voltage surges occur.
During the design and wiring period, it is impossible to accurately determine the load on the outlet group. Usually 3-4 sockets are connected to one AV. If a powerful appliance is installed, the current of the outlets is reduced. If several powerful devices are connected to one of them at once, the machine will work.This phenomenon can be avoided by evenly distributing a powerful load, connecting devices to different outlet groups. If this is not possible, they should be connected one at a time.
There are three ways out of this situation: use large household appliances alternately, purchase a more powerful device, or replace the electrical wiring that can withstand heavy loads.
Breakdown of a household appliance - the second reason why the machine knocks down. If this happens at the same time, you need to look for faulty equipment. For example, the regularity of the operation of AB is obvious when the electric stove is turned on, the washing machine is started, or when the boiler starts heating the water. To determine the culprit, all devices should be turned off. Then turn it on gradually one at a time until the machine turns off again. If AB is not knocked out, the breakdown lies precisely in household appliances.
It is possible to detect a malfunction of an electrical appliance by temporarily connecting it to another distribution group, which is designed for a higher current. If the machine continues to turn off, the problem is in the device itself, otherwise the culprit is the electrical wiring at its joints.
Malfunction of lighting devices can also lead to knocking out of the machine. Most often it shortens in the base of an electric lamp. To detect damage to the base, you need to unscrew all the bulbs. Then screw them in one at a time and turn on the light. Sometimes a burnout occurs due to a faulty switch. A single shutdown of the machine when the light bulb burns out is associated with a short-term load, which the machine for 6-10 A cannot withstand. LED and luminescent devices do not have such an effect on the network.
Failure of the circuit breaker often leads to a power outage. Even a seemingly serviceable AB can be triggered. Sometimes a damaged device will emit a subtle rattling sound. Long service life leads to natural wear of all elements, their technical parameters deteriorate. Releases lose their function, conductors become hot. Such a machine must be replaced. To avoid trouble, you should choose a quality device from reputable manufacturers.
Short circuit accompanies any action. Most often this happens when drilling a wall and damaging the wiring, or during the repair of a de-energized outlet, if you accidentally short-circuit the phase and zero. The same phenomenon occurs when it is necessary to correct the contacts in the cartridge with a tool. In these cases, the machine is triggered instantly. The device cannot be turned on immediately, you need to make sure that there is no damage to the wires, contacts or the cartridge.
Another reason for a short circuit is the flooding of the apartment with water. Getting on the insulation, water washes away its sticky layer. The insulating tape is unstuck, which leads to a short circuit. Therefore, after flooding, you need to inspect the machine and all contacts.
Bad contact or oxidation causes the machine to operate. Most often this applies to aluminum wiring. Since this metal is soft and fluid, the contacts weaken over time. To find a malfunction, you need to consistently go through the entire chain. To do this, check the machine, then the junction boxes, disassemble all sockets, switches and chandeliers in order to assess the quality of the connection of the conductors to the terminals. If the wires are loose, the clamps must be tightened. The terminals should be checked at least once a year.
Problems with the difavtomat They are conventionally divided into three groups: breakdown of the device itself, problems with the load or in the line controlled by the machine. In old wiring, deterioration of the insulation leads to current leakage.If the machine is knocked out in the dashboard, the problem may be damage to the insulation during the laying of the wire, twisting, building up the wires. Also, the reason is the incorrect location of the junction box, miscalculations in insulation or electrical accessories. The solution to the problem is to check, starting from the introductory machine, and the gradual localization of individual sections.
Discover faulty wiringwalled up under a layer of plaster is quite difficult. First of all, you should check the input switchgear. Modern meters have an LED indicator. If there is no voltage, an application should be made to the power supply organization for troubleshooting.
The main causes of wiring malfunction:
- short circuit of the ground wire or zero to phase;
- no contact on the switch terminals;
- wire breakage at the point of connection to sockets, switches, sockets;
- breakdown of the cocking mechanism in the circuit breaker - the contacts do not open and do not close.
Due to mechanical stress, improper installation, damage by rodents or during repairs, the current-carrying conductor becomes unusable. As a result of overheating, the insulation changes color, traces of melting are visible. The problem lies in the incorrectly selected cross-section of the conductors or poor contacts on the twists. Such a malfunction leads to a short circuit.
To make sure that the reason is still in the wires, you need to turn off all appliances in the house. If the machine still continues to knock out, you should carefully check all the wiring. At the beginning, they inspect sockets, switches, lamps, junction boxes.
Knocked out the machine and does not turn on: reasons
The problem may be in an overcrowded dashboard. The machine and the wires generate a small amount of heat. If the volume of the flap is insufficient, moreover, without ventilation, heat accumulates, the machine heats up and works.
When you turn on powerful units - a welding machine, an electric boiler, a water heater - for a short time, the current jumps by tens of amperes. The fast release of the circuit breaker trips. Sometimes the AV shutdown is caused by the voltage regulator. This happens when a low-quality stabilizer is connected. Perhaps this is the reaction of the machine to a short-term increasing current value, more than the nominal value.
If AB turns off over and over again, you need to look around for burnt wires, sockets, if you can hear the smell of burning, if there are sparks. The flap should be inspected in the same way. It may smell like metal or plastic, but not smoke.
If no malfunction is found, the machine will have to be replaced. In such a situation, it is best to call an electrician. The master can measure the current in each line with a special tool. It must correspond to the rating of the machine and the thickness of the conductors. Perhaps this is the problem with permanent disconnection.
If the dashboard contains not only an introductory machine, but also group ones, it is much easier to find the cause of the shutdowns. If it knocks out at the entrance, you need to check the correct installation of the devices in the dashboard. When the machine below is turned off, the fault lies in its group.
Why does the device work in the dashboard without load
In an individual house, entrance or apartment, an automatic machine can knock out without visible damage and without a connected load. There can be two reasons:
- faulty wiring or poor connection;
- breakdown of the machine.
If, after replacing the machine, the problem is not resolved, you will have to change the wiring, and all of it. Local repair will not eliminate the cause. It is good if the apartment has external wiring. To determine the location of the short circuit of the hidden wiring, a multimeter, thermal imager and other devices are used.
What not to do if the machine shuts down
You should not go into the switchboard yourself if you knocked out the plugs in the apartment. It is necessary to understand the reasons. If there is no light in the entire entrance or in neighboring houses, most likely there is a problem at the substation. All household appliances must be disconnected from the sockets so that they do not burn out when the power supply is restored in the event of a power surge.
When the problem concerns only one apartment, you need to open the flap and see which of the traffic jams worked. The white button will protrude a few mm from the body. When you press it, the fuse turns on.
At the sites of new buildings, modern protective circuit breakers are installed. If the pedals of the device are pushed down, then the plugs are knocked out. To restore electricity in the apartment, it is enough to move the lever to the upper position.
Sometimes people consider constant blackouts to be the norm and do not think about the wear and tear of the circuit breaker. Sooner or later, the button sticks, the device stops functioning in the correct mode. Due to overvoltage, an emergency occurs, which in most cases leads to a fire.
The machine protects a person and his property. Eliminating the cause of its operation is easier and cheaper than eliminating the consequences of faulty electrical wiring. It is unacceptable to put a bug instead of AB or block its lever. This can lead to tragic consequences.
