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ek1 · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 3

I had a circuit breaker that has been constantly tripping. It tripped today, I reset it, and it made a loud buzzing noise. I figured it was fried as it didn't trip again, but the things that were shut down by it stayed off. I replaced with a new circuit breaker and still, the things shut down are not working. I'm guessing there is a shorted wire somewhere? Also how much of a fire hazard is this? Money is an issue right now(tis the season) so any ideas on repair costs? i called every local electrician and was told they would get back to me. It's been 5 hours.

dj-paul-c · Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 23 Location: edinburgh

hi,

unless you know what you are doing,leave the circuit breaker switched off untill an electrician looks at the problem it could be a fire hazzard,

it may be a loose terminal in the neutral bar in the fuse board,you could try tightening the terminals,

what is on the circuit thats causing the problem ?

you may be best leaving it to a qualified electrician as electricity is dangerous

best thing to do is keep the circuit breaker switched off and call in an electrician

paul

vince knight · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:22 pm Post subject:

Also make sure the mcb is tight on the bussbar finger at the bottom, we get alot of cases were the screw is tight but it has not engaged the copper bar at the bottom which will cause it to arc(buzz).

Vince

ek1 · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 3

ek1 · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 3

Well, I went through all the receptacles that weren't working. I found two that were burnt badly. I found charred wallpaper around one of them and the other was directly behind my highly flamable couch. I'm lucky my house is still standing. I found loose wires in both receptacles. I went through every receptacle and light switch in the house and about 80% of them had to be cleaned up. I cannot believe this place passed an inspection. Something for homebuyers to look at before they buy! Thanks for your help folks.