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Turning on the ceiling fan started tripping the breaker

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Turning on the ceiling fan started tripping the breaker MS 09-30-2008
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Posted by MS on September 30, 2008, 3:31 pm


Exactly what it says. We bought the house in February. Fan and light
worked fine. In the beginning of August, the breaker would trip every
time we turned the switch. I've taken the light fixture off the fan
to check for a short, nothing visible. I've taken the fan off the
ceiling and check for a short or bad connection, nothing visible.
I've opened the switch box on the wall, nothing visible. I went into
the attic to check for signs of rats or other varmints eating the
wires, nothing visible.

My first inclination is to replace the switch. Replace the fan if the
switch isn't the problem. Then call an electrician if the fan isn't
the problem.

Any advice?

Real Goods Solar, Inc.
Posted by phil scott on September 30, 2008, 3:44 pm


> Exactly what it says. =A0We bought the house in February. =A0Fan and ligh=
t
> worked fine. =A0In the beginning of August, the breaker would trip every
> time we turned the switch. =A0I've taken the light fixture off the fan
> to check for a short, nothing visible. =A0I've taken the fan off the
> ceiling and check for a short or bad connection, nothing visible.
> I've opened the switch box on the wall, nothing visible. =A0I went into
> the attic to check for signs of rats or other varmints eating the
> wires, nothing visible.
>
> My first inclination is to replace the switch. =A0Replace the fan if the
> switch isn't the problem. =A0Then call an electrician if the fan isn't
> the problem.
>
> Any advice?

you did not check the fans amp draw....its iether a bad fan motor or a
short in the wiring,
you dont check that visibly... you use an ohmeter.

its risky...dont run it and have a competent friend do your checkout.


Phil scott

Posted by ithejury on October 1, 2008, 8:43 am


"or a
>short in the wiring,
>you dont check that visibly... you use an ohmeter."

He was talking about the short professor.

Posted by RickH on September 30, 2008, 4:01 pm


> Exactly what it says. =A0We bought the house in February. =A0Fan and ligh=
t
> worked fine. =A0In the beginning of August, the breaker would trip every
> time we turned the switch. =A0I've taken the light fixture off the fan
> to check for a short, nothing visible. =A0I've taken the fan off the
> ceiling and check for a short or bad connection, nothing visible.
> I've opened the switch box on the wall, nothing visible. =A0I went into
> the attic to check for signs of rats or other varmints eating the
> wires, nothing visible.
>
> My first inclination is to replace the switch. =A0Replace the fan if the
> switch isn't the problem. =A0Then call an electrician if the fan isn't
> the problem.
>
> Any advice?

Is it a cheapo multi-speed switch? I've had those arc on me when they
begin to wear out.


Posted by Chris on September 30, 2008, 4:10 pm


MS wrote:
> Exactly what it says. We bought the house in February. Fan and light
> worked fine. In the beginning of August, the breaker would trip every
> time we turned the switch. I've taken the light fixture off the fan
> to check for a short, nothing visible. I've taken the fan off the
> ceiling and check for a short or bad connection, nothing visible.
> I've opened the switch box on the wall, nothing visible. I went into
> the attic to check for signs of rats or other varmints eating the
> wires, nothing visible.
>
> My first inclination is to replace the switch. Replace the fan if the
> switch isn't the problem. Then call an electrician if the fan isn't
> the problem.
>
> Any advice?

1) The breaker could be defective. Can you replace the breaker?

2) The breaker could be overloaded. How big is the breaker? Do you know
what else is on that breaker? Can you bring power from another circuit
to that fan?

3) The fan is bad. Can you temporarily replace that ceiling fan with
another one just to try?

If you're not comfortable with any of these call an electrician...

Page 1 of 3       1 2 3 > last >>
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