Installed 240v Dryer, used 10 gauge wire, 20 amp breaker-breakers flicking off

Users who are viewing this thread

Speedy Petey

Licensed Electrical Contractor
Messages
1,108
Reaction score
9
Points
38
Location
NY State, USA
Well, saying the breaker "keeps flicking off" is not much of a description.
How long before it trips?
Is the dryer new or old?
Did you wire it right?

You say it gets warm. Like hot? Or warm that you can keep your hand on it?
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,770
Reaction score
1,190
Points
113
Location
New England
If the run to the dryer is excessively long, you might want to upsize the wire, too. Probably not an issue. If you have a multimeter, you could check the voltage at the panel, then again at the dryer with it running. Don't do this if you aren't comfortable and knowledgable about working on power. If there is a significant voltage drop, then you have a bad connection somewhere or the wire is undersized (shouldn't be, though). Could be in the plug, or cord, or maybe even at the panel. Does the breaker get warm, too? Could have a bus bar problem or a bad breaker.
 

87vertgt

New Member
Messages
52
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Chicago,IL
thanx for the response gents


when I say "flicking off" i mean the breaker is turning off.

The dryer is new.

I didnt wire it. I electrian did.

The breaker gets warm, not hot.

The cord is new. The wire is new. I am gonna replace the new breaker with another new one.

Whats a Bus bar?
 

Ian Gills

Senior Robin Hood Guy
Messages
2,743
Reaction score
3
Points
0
Location
USA
Call the electrician back.

I hope the electrician wired the receptacle properly. If the neutral and one of the hots is reversed, you could be running 240 volts to parts that are 120 volt rated.

As an aside, I also hope he remembered to remove the grounding jumper in the dryer if this is a new four-wire set up.

Call the electrician back.

If he made both of these mistakes, fire him.
 
Last edited:

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,602
Reaction score
1,040
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
dryer

IF he connected a hot lead to the neutral terminal, AND did not remove the jumper, the customer will probably FRY before the electician is FYRed (sic).
 

Ian Gills

Senior Robin Hood Guy
Messages
2,743
Reaction score
3
Points
0
Location
USA
Or with a four wire set up, it would trip the breaker.

Absolutely anything could be wrong with it. Call the electrician back.

Only the English should play with 240 volts.

While inventors in many countries contributed to electric power technology, the U.S. was way out front in putting that technology to practical use. In the early days, lower voltages were the most practical for electric lights-- higher voltages burned out the bulbs. So the hundreds of power plants built in the U.S. prior to 1900 adopted 110 volts (or 115 or 120 volts) as their de facto standard.

Trouble was, power transmission at higher voltages was more efficient-- and you didn't have to use so much copper in the wires. By the time most European countries got around to making big time investments in electricity, the engineers had figured out how to make 220-volt bulbs that wouldn't burn out so fast. So, starting in Germany around the turn of the century, they adopted the 220-volt (or 230- or 240-volt) standard. But the U.S. stayed with 110 volts (today it's officially 120 volts) because it had such a big installed base of 110-volt equipment.
 
Last edited:

Cass

Plumber
Messages
5,947
Reaction score
7
Points
0
Location
Ohio
What is the brand of the main pannel?

It doesn't happen to be Federal Pacific does it?

Call the electrician back...
 

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,602
Reaction score
1,040
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
ian

quote; Trouble was, power transmission at higher voltages was more efficient-- and you didn't have to use so much copper in the wires.


You did not mention that at the higher voltages electromagnetic forces on the center of large conductors becomes a detriment, so "hollow" wires are more efficient.
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks