Breaker rating

[CTyler]

I just need a sanity check....

A 30 amp double pole breaker means that each leg can handle
30 amps right?

I had a new water heater installed in one of my rental units a while back. Friday it started tripping the breaker after being reset. I bought a new 30 amp breaker and checked the amps and it was pulling ~18amps a leg. Still running ok so far.

Thanks
Chris

 

[DUMBDOG]

The breakers will wear out and will have to be replaced, just as you have done. Maybe someone here can explain why.

 

[JATO_RaT]

The bi-metallic strip which is responsible for "tripping" the breaker as it distorts from the increased heat due to the larger current passing through it sometimes loses its shape and trips at lower current or amperage amounts then that listed on the breaker. Typically, a circuit breaker is designed to reliably hold any device for a continuous load rating of no more then 80% of its rated capacity. My guess is the old heater was heating up the old breaker.

 

[CTyler]

Thanks for the info.

To close....
I went and looked it up and the breaker should handle 13,200 watts or 30 amps a leg. This matches up with the 10 gauge wire. I figured as much, just wanted that last 1% of confirmation.