If a generator circuit breaker keeps tripping, it may confuse you. Still, the breaker is crucial in keeping your electric appliances safe and does an important job in your generator’s system.
But when it switches off unexpectedly and leaves you in the dark. Let’s figure out the common causes of circuit breaker tripping.
Warning: Attempting to repair breakers without proper knowledge is extremely dangerous. Electric shock, fire, and system damage are real risks.
Circuit Overloaded
Breakers are designed to protect electric appliances from electric damage, each breaker has a limit of load to pass through. A breaker will trip if it is used for more than 125% of its capacity. A 10 amp breaker will trip on 13 amp of load.
So keep in mind that breakers can be tripped when large voltage appliances just as air conditioners, room heaters, and microwaves are used or multiple appliances are connected which exceeds the limit of your breaker.
Ground Fault [GFCI]
CGFI, or ground-fault circuit interrupter is designed to protect sensitive electronics from unstable electric current. a CGFI breaker will also trip in less than a second if it detects that the connection is losing current.
If a generator produces 10 amps of positive current and receives less than 10 amps in negative, in this case the generator’s breaker will be tripped.
This will make a generator keep tripping continuously until the problem is solved. To solve this issue please read the below instructions, or watch the video by Robert Van Nuck.
Faulty Breaker
If you’re experiencing frequent breaker tripping, it’s crucial to consider the possibility that the breaker itself may be faulty. Inspect the breaker for any signs of damage, such as burns, breaks, or unusual smells.
These indicators could suggest internal faults within the breaker mechanism. If you detect any such issues, Replacing the faulty breaker with a new one is highly recommended.
Faulty Wiring
Although this is not the problem that accrues most but still a possible reason for tripping the circuit breaker, all wiring must be checked for any loose connections, short circuits, or damaged wiring.
In some cases, faulty wiring also causes circuit tripping, so if the circuit breaker is tripping and the above solution doesn’t work, it is recommended to check the wiring for fault.
Damaged Appliances
A damaged appliance can cause a circuit breaker to trip. A damaged or malfunctioning appliance draws more electric current than usual, which can lead to overloading the circuit. This overload can trigger the circuit breaker to trip.
If you notice that an appliance is consistently causing breaker tripping it is highly recommended to repair or replace that appliance to avoid further electric issues.
Prevention:
Regular maintenance of the generator and its connection is the best way to prevent electric outages. A generator should be used within a month for testing purposes to make sure that the generator is in perfect condition.
If you are still facing issues with the circuit breaker tripping, contact us at whatgenerators@gmail.com
FAQs:
Why does the GFCI on my generator keep tripping?
The GFCI circuit breaker trips because it is detecting any fault in your generator’s load. Maybe you are using two GFCI breakers in parallel connection, or the negative current is not coming back in the negative wire?
What does tripping of the generator mean?
In a generator, a breaker tripping means that there is some issue with your connection or load.
Does a breaker need to be replaced if it keeps tripping?
It is recommended to check the reason behind the tripping if it is the breaker then it needs to be replaced.
Does a generator breaker need to be GFCI?
No, it is not compulsory, but I recommend it to use because it protects sensitive electrical equipment.
How do I stop my GFCI breaker from tripping?
You need to check the current leakage or damaged electric connection or appliance.
How do you ground a generator?
To ground you need to find the grounding point on the frame of the generator drive a copper rod into the ground and connect it with a heavy gauge cable.
