Why Does a Circuit Breaker Produce Power in the OFF Position

When a Circuit Breaker Produces Power in the OFF Position – There are two possibilities that would cause a circuit breaker to appear to have power when it is in the OFF position…

Defective Circuit Breaker or Two Power Sources
[ad#block]Electrical Troubleshooting: Why does circuit breaker (20A) produce power in the OFF position?

This electrical question came from: Monty, from Houston, Texas
See more about Home Wiring for Texas

Additional Comments: Awesome!!!

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your Electrical Troubleshooting Question Monty

Circuit Breaker Produces Power in the OFF Position

Troubleshooting an Electrical Circuit Problem

• There are two possibilities that would cause a circuit breaker to appear to have power when it is in the OFF position. The circuit breaker would be defective. This would be very rare, but could be verified two ways:
  1. Remove the wire from the circuit breaker. If the wire is still energized then the circuit breaker is OK and is  not the problem. If the wire is not energized but the terminal of the circuit breaker is energized while the breaker is switched OFF then the circuit breaker is faulty and would require replacing.
  2. If the wire is energized when not attached to the circuit breaker then there was two power sources providing power to one circuit.
     • The other source of power may be identified by continuing a voltage test of the wire and begin turning OFF other circuit breakers usually of the same amperage.
       • If the power source has been identified and if it is from a circuit breaker of the same amperage the the wire should be capped off and marked as a energized wire and the location where the connection has been made should be located and the connection to the wire which leads back to the panel should be removed.
       • If the power source was not from a circuit breaker of the same amperage then there is another connection problem which will require further investigation and troubleshooting starting at the location of the circuit device or equipment which is connected to the identified circuit breaker.

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