Problems with a breaker

[Ddg2322]

Having trouble figuring this one out.

House was built 5 years ago. Eaton box and breakers. Over the past 3 weeks, the bedroom breaker keeps tripping at night. This is happening at night because that's when we have the fan on. Breaker is tripping every 90 minutes. There are 5 outlets and the only things plugged in are 3 phone chargers and this small fan (that we have been using for years).

The breaker is a 20amp dual purpose combination Atci/gfci.

I just bought a new one...$80...ouch, but haven't replaced it yet.

I have also moved the fan and chargers to other outlets on that breaker and it still trips.

Thoughts?

 

[OLDBOY]

It is a good idea to test circuits which are subject to nuisance tripping rather than assuming the device is faulty....it could be doing the job it is intended to do.

 

[Ddg2322]

I agree, that's why we stopped and didn't change the breaker, but where do you really start? Nothing has been added to the breaker and no electrical work has been done. Why would it be over loading now after a few years?

I was thinking maybe a wire came loose in an outlet

 

[littlespark]

Try the fan on an outlet that IS NOT on the same breaker.

 

[Ddg2322]

Will try tonight. Ty

 

[Ddg2322]

Tried the fan on a different breaker all night and it didn't kick, so the fan is fine.


In the room that is kicking, I ran on phone charger, brand new out of the box, it kicked the breaker.

I just took all the outlets apart and no issue with the wires. Tightened them just to be sure.

All of the outlets are clean, no burn marks.

I have the breaker, I'm guessing I should try it to see if it makes a difference

 

[RetiredNY]

Tried the fan on a different breaker all night and it didn't kick, so the fan is fine.


In the room that is kicking, I ran on phone charger, brand new out of the box, it kicked the breaker.

I just took all the outlets apart and no issue with the wires. Tightened them just to be sure.

All of the outlets are clean, no burn marks.

I have the breaker, I'm guessing I should try it to see if it makes a difference

Typically homes are not wired 1 circuit per room. Check other outlets/lights in other rooms to see if those are also part of the circuit that is tripping. AFCI/ GFCI breakers will also trip if the hidden wiring has become compromised, like from a chewing rodent or squirrel. When examining receptacles in boxes, be sure the bare grounds do not come in contact with the neutral terminals or any other exposed wiring.

 

[Megawatt]

Tried the fan on a different breaker all night and it didn't kick, so the fan is fine.


In the room that is kicking, I ran on phone charger, brand new out of the box, it kicked the breaker.

I just took all the outlets apart and no issue with the wires. Tightened them just to be sure.

All of the outlets are clean, no burn marks.

I have the breaker, I'm guessing I should try it to see if it makes a difference

Over time and I’m assuming that it is an arc fault breaker or AFCI will eventually wear out and start tripping. Change the breaker and you should be good to go. Welcome to the forum.

 

[lawrence101]

Having trouble figuring this one out.

House was built 5 years ago. Eaton box and breakers. Over the past 3 weeks, the bedroom breaker keeps tripping at night. This is happening at night because that's when we have the fan on. Breaker is tripping every 90 minutes. There are 5 outlets and the only things plugged in are 3 phone chargers and this small fan (that we have been using for years).

The breaker is a 20amp dual purpose combination Atci/gfci.

I just bought a new one...$80...ouch, but haven't replaced it yet.

I have also moved the fan and chargers to other outlets on that breaker and it still trips.

Thoughts?

If it only trips when the fan is on at night then it points to that but you said you bought a new GFCI but haven't replaced it yet ?