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GaryKD · 03-04-2013, 06:49 AM

Have you removed and tested the breaker?

vraines · 03-04-2013, 07:10 AM

I have a Dutch Star and I just flipped that light breaker to see what went out. My TV and related electronics are on that circuit. Good place to start looking.

barry2pam · 03-04-2013, 06:59 PM

took the GFI totaly out of the circuit so should be nothing on it and still braker still trips. Smoke test sounds a bit scary.

chuckinthebus · 03-04-2013, 07:14 PM

Capn Dave's "smoke test" is scary.

Don't try this at home!

If taking the GFI outlet off of it and it still trips, try another breaker. If you changed the breaker before, you may not have everything back in place right.

Randy125 · 03-04-2013, 07:58 PM

Have you disconnected the tv and dvd player up front.?

Mr_D · 03-04-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capn_Dave

The next step which should never be done unless you are an EE like me is what we call the SMOKE TEST. This test is preformed by putting in a 100 amp breaker in place of the 20 amp. Crank up the gen set and watch for smoke. Usually once the smoke is let out and you replace the area that let the smoke out with fresh smoke you should be good to go

Fair Winds
Dave

Hopefully your insurance won't find out you did this and deny fire damage coverage when it burns down!

ARTWERKE · 03-04-2013, 09:01 PM

If you can't recover from the "Smoke Test" You'll be Ready for the 'Sync " test, or if you prefer, the "Sink Test". Where you Place the object in deep water, and if it doesn't Sink, you fixit. Former Navy ET.

barry2pam · 03-04-2013, 10:44 PM

I will reset the breaker. thats a good thought. I have unpluged everything on this circuit. It really acts like a dead short but once all outlets are disconected it can't be. Could my inverter be causing this?

"007" · 03-05-2013, 02:08 AM

Have you checked the wiring in load center even the wire clamp for cable in box, insulation may have broken down.
Does the inverter go off when circuit is not working?

94-Newmar · 03-05-2013, 03:47 AM

You say in your first post that you "disconnected all receptacles".

(1) Does that mean you physically removed each outlet and removed the Neutral/Hot/Ground wires from each along that circuit?

(2) Did you try removing/testing/replacing the breaker itself as GaryKD mentions in an earlier response?

(3) Have you removed the cover on the breaker panel to visually inspect for any other wires that may have come loose and perhaps in contact with the breaker in question?

It is entirely possible that the circuit supply wiring has been chafed on something hidden from your view. If all steps above have been checked then, depending upon how comfortable you are using a volt/ohm/test meter I would (disconnect shore line, shut off main breaker, disconnect inverter if you have one, disconnect battery cables to generator) remove the breaker from the buss, and using the wires for that circuit, would begin doing some continuity testing backwards through that entire circuit. You should be able to determine where the problem exists in a matter of minutes - obtaining access to the problematic area for repair may prove to be a more time consuming matter.

Edit: Smoke test? That has to be the absolute most idiotic backwardsassed thing I've heard heard of in all my years of Resi/Comm electrical troubleshooting and experience.

palehorse89 · 03-05-2013, 03:49 AM

after checking the last things 007 has asked, while you have the front cover off the breaker panel, is there any signs of wire discoloration? (hot wires) especially on the white neutral wires? Does the breaker that you are having trouble with feel any different than another 20 amp. breaker in the panel when you switch it off and reset it(switch it on)? If not, pull the 20 amp. breaker out that is tripping and go get a new on and relpace it.

TQ60 · 03-05-2013, 10:08 AM

If entertainment Center is on the circuit then inverter likely on circuit also.

Someone else had same issue, pulled cover and discovered wire had came loose and was touching opposite wire causing short.

Locate inverter and check connections.

Remove if not loose, inverter may have MOV protection inside that could be shorted, it is how they protect...

GaryKD · 03-05-2013, 02:33 PM

If the inverter is in the circuit, it complicates the diagnostics. TQ60, has a good task to try. It may be time to take the inverter out of the circuit and see what happens.