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Another Electrical Question #7627252 07/15/22 12:38 PM 07/15/22 12:38 PM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 35,175 McGrath, AK W white17 OP "General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17 OP "General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington" W Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 35,175 McGrath, AK	I have a 30 amp two pole breaker that feeds my water heater. After a hour or so of being "on" ( I use it as a switch) the breaker is warm to the touch. Not hot. Maybe a couple degrees over body temperature. Is this anything to be concerned about ? Could the breaker be getting old ? Mean As Nails

Re: Another Electrical Question [Re: white17] #7627255 07/15/22 12:40 PM 07/15/22 12:40 PM
Joined: Feb 2021 Posts: 2,365 Interior Alaska O Oh Snap trapper
Oh Snap trapper O Joined: Feb 2021 Posts: 2,365 Interior Alaska	Switch it out and see if you can get another one. I don’t think they are made to be used as a switch. Could be wrong on that. I love the smell of burning spruce---I love the sound of a spring time goose---I love the feel of 40 below---from my trapline I will never go!

Re: Another Electrical Question [Re: white17] #7627258 07/15/22 12:44 PM 07/15/22 12:44 PM
Joined: Jun 2018 Posts: 4,770 Beatrice, NE L loosegoose trapper
loosegoose trapper L Joined: Jun 2018 Posts: 4,770 Beatrice, NE	You can buy breakers rated to be used as switches, but regular breakers aren't made for that. In any case, if it's getting warm there's probably a not-quite-right-enough connection at the breaker. I'd replace it and crank those screws that gold the wires in right, plus wire in an outlet and put a plug on the water heater heater so you can just unplug it when not in use.

Re: Another Electrical Question [Re: white17] #7627260 07/15/22 12:44 PM 07/15/22 12:44 PM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 35,175 McGrath, AK W white17 OP "General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17 OP "General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington" W Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 35,175 McGrath, AK	Probably right Larry. It's been in the box about 10 years so it can't hurt to have a spare Mean As Nails

Re: Another Electrical Question [Re: white17] #7627334 07/15/22 01:57 PM 07/15/22 01:57 PM
Joined: Feb 2021 Posts: 2,365 Interior Alaska O Oh Snap trapper
Oh Snap trapper O Joined: Feb 2021 Posts: 2,365 Interior Alaska	Ken Check all connections and make sure they are tight like said before. I am working on an inverter for one of my saws and screws not real tight and the plastic cover on the copper wire is wrinkled indicating heat! I love the smell of burning spruce---I love the sound of a spring time goose---I love the feel of 40 below---from my trapline I will never go!

Re: Another Electrical Question [Re: white17] #7627354 07/15/22 02:26 PM 07/15/22 02:26 PM
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 19,719 pa H hippie trapper
hippie trapper H Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 19,719 pa	I'm no electric guy, know enough about it that I don't mess with it, lol. I built my new garage the summer of '97, and have used the breaker for the air compressor as the switch since day one, at least 5 days a week. Not saying its kosher to do so, but works for me!

Re: Another Electrical Question [Re: white17] #7627355 07/15/22 02:31 PM 07/15/22 02:31 PM
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 21,049 St. Louis Co, Mo B BigBob trapper
BigBob trapper B Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 21,049 St. Louis Co, Mo	You'd be much better off adding a fuse/breaker box between the heater and the main, and use that for on/off, It's made for it. Every kid needs a Dog and a Curmudgeon. Remember Bowe Bergdahl, the traitor. Beware! Jill Pudlewski, Ron Oates and Keven Begesse are liars and thiefs!

Re: Another Electrical Question [Re: white17] #7627360 07/15/22 02:35 PM 07/15/22 02:35 PM
Joined: Sep 2020 Posts: 967 Missouri O Osagian trapper
Osagian trapper O Joined: Sep 2020 Posts: 967 Missouri	IF, the breaker is rated SWD (for switch duty) and it probably is; it's OK to use it as a switch. Look for printing on the front or the side of the breaker for the letters SWD. It will be in very small printing, commonly on a sticker that also contains the UL approval. Heat on a breaker or in the breaker/fuse panel means that wattage (power) is being lost through a voltage drop across something, That something could be the internal contacts of a fuse or breaker, or corrosion in a lug terminal etc. Changing out the breaker would be a good place to start. 2 pole 30s aren't that expensive.

Re: Another Electrical Question [Re: white17] #7627366 07/15/22 02:41 PM 07/15/22 02:41 PM
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 20,067 SEPA L Lugnut trapper
Lugnut trapper L Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 20,067 SEPA	Most breakers are designed to kick at no more than 140 F. You would feel that warmth on the exterior of the breaker. I think it would be hot to the touch if it was nearing the trip point. I am not an electrician. Last edited by Lugnut; 07/15/22 02:42 PM. Eh...wot?

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