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My house fuse breaker keeps tripping Any Electricians here?

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Old 05-10-2006, 01:49 PM
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Default My house fuse breaker keeps tripping Any Electricians here?

My home was built on 2004. For some reason whenever I plug in a space heater or vacuum while the drier is on in the next room my circuit breaker trips and I have to reset it. Is there a higer capacity breaker I can use for that circuit? Can I just buy a new one at home depot and install it myself or is this a major thing that requires a Electrician to change?

Thanks for any replies and help...
Old 05-10-2006, 01:51 PM
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Got a pic of your box? FUSE box...
Old 05-10-2006, 01:52 PM
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Are the dryer and that outlet that you're plugging things into on the same breaker?

How many amps is the circuit? 10 or 15?

I don't suggest going to a higher amp breaker. The wiring would need to be upgraded in order for it to be safe. Sure, the breaker could handle it, but the wiring can't. Upgrading the breaker without the wiring is a recipe for a fire.
Old 05-10-2006, 01:53 PM
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Those two plugs are on the same circuit. And the two things you are using at the same time are overloading it.

Do not install a higher rating breaker. That breaker was planned out for the size/gauge wire and the ability of that wire to carry a certain amount of electricity. Adding more supply w/o upgrading the wiring could quickly lead to a fire.

Get an electrician in to break up the circuit. Meaning put the plugs on different breakers. That should fix you up.

Drier, space heater and vacuum all take quite a bit of electricity to run.
Old 05-10-2006, 02:05 PM
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Dryer is on it'* own breaker (code) Most dryers are 220, so it would be impossible to plug anything else on that line.
Old 05-10-2006, 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by sonoma_zr2
Dryer is on it'* own breaker (code) Most dryers are 220, so it would be impossible to plug anything else on that line.
Not if it'* a gas dryer with a 110 circuit used for the controls.
Old 05-10-2006, 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by vital49
Originally Posted by sonoma_zr2
Dryer is on it'* own breaker (code) Most dryers are 220, so it would be impossible to plug anything else on that line.
Not if it'* a gas dryer with a 110 circuit used for the controls.
Or a little apartment one...

Either way replacing a breaker only is probably the most dangerous thing to do in this case.
Old 05-10-2006, 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by vital49
Originally Posted by sonoma_zr2
Dryer is on it'* own breaker (code) Most dryers are 220, so it would be impossible to plug anything else on that line.
Not if it'* a gas dryer with a 110 circuit used for the controls.
well then there is something wrong with the dryer. it shouldn't use any more juice than a clock radio, or the vaccum or space heater is sucking too much juice
Old 05-10-2006, 02:15 PM
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Let'* drop the amperage analyzation.. we don't have enough information as to what else may be on the circuit, it'* capacity etc.

Leaving it at.. popping breaker is happening for a reason and an electrican is the best solution to the problem.
Old 05-10-2006, 02:21 PM
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Breaker number 11 in the pic is what keep tripping. It only trips if I either plug in my space heater or vacuum in the room. It will trip 1 out of 10 if i vaccum and 5 out of ten if I run the space heater. otherwise all is fine. Can I just replace that one breaker myself?

I just dont want to pay an electrician if it is a simple fix. If it were a short in the house etc I would hire one right away but since I know the problem I would like some advice.

Btw...the drier is electric and could of had nothing to do with it but the laundry room is right next to my office and it was on at the time.

Thanks everybody..

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