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Unread 18-03-2009, 10:28
Mark Jones Mark Jones is offline
Engineer - Team 343 MIM
FRC #0343 (Metal-in-Motion)
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Rookie Year: 2000
Location: Seneca, SC
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Re: main Breaker Problems

I'm not sure of the specs on this breaker; however, typical load center breakers (like those in your household breaker panel) are not "switching duty" rated.

This means that you cannot use the breaker as you would a light switch to frequently turn on and off the circuit, especially fluorescent lights. Most of the time, these load center breakers are intended to stay on and not switched on-and-off for many cycles.

Some load center breakers are "SWD" or "switching duty rated" to allow the breaker to be cycled many times.

Some of the issues may be due to the many cycles these breakers see and the wear of the catch nib onto the bimetallic strip.