How to handle broken, jumped, burned circuit breaker?

Are there any signs that the aptomat has problems?

Circuit breaker or general circuit breaker is a device in the electrical system to protect against overload, short circuit and electric leakage. However, during use, it is unavoidable that the circuit breaker is broken or jumps, and this is also the clearest sign to identify a problem.

When the circuit breaker is broken, it not only reduces the ability to protect the electrical system but also causes disruption in the use of electrical equipment in the home. More dangerously, this problem can lead to the risk of electric shock, endangering the user's life.

Causes of broken circuit breaker:

There are many reasons why the circuit breaker is broken, some common reasons include:

- Electrical overload: When many electrical devices are used at the same time, the increased current can cause the circuit breaker to jump continuously due to overload.

- Unstable electrical system: Strong voltage fluctuations can also cause the circuit breaker to jump, causing the risk of a fire.

- Leaking current: This situation occurs when the electrical wire is incorrectly connected or the wall wire has a problem, the open connectors come into contact with each other, which can cause a fire or explosion. Aptomat will automatically shut off the entire electrical system to ensure safety.

- Not regularly maintained: If the circuit breaker is not periodically inspected and maintained, its performance will decrease and will no longer protect as effectively as before.

- Using poor quality aptomat: Some families choose to buy cheap aptomat to save costs, but this can be dangerous during use due to poor quality.

Check for broken circuit breaker properly:

In addition to identifying the above signs, you can also check the condition of the circuit breaker with specialized measuring devices such as a multimeter or clamp meter. 

Step 1: First, disconnect all power sources and electrical equipment at the location to be tested.

Step 2: Use a measuring device with leakage current measurement function, with a minimum measurement range of 10mA. With a clamp meter, open the jaws and clamp 3 wires at the same time, then wait for the results to appear on the screen.

Step 3: The measurement result will display about 8.8mA.

Note: Please choose a device with leakage current measurement function, because conventional measuring devices will not give accurate results, usually displaying 0.

Instructions for safely repairing broken circuit breakers

Below is how to repair the circuit breaker when experiencing jumps or failures. Each problem will have its own handling method:

In case the circuit breaker jumps due to current overload:

If the circuit breaker jumps due to overload, you just need to turn off unnecessary electrical devices and avoid using many devices at the same time. Then, push the aptomat back to its original position and continue using.

How to fix an circuit breaker that jumps due to leakage current:

1. First, connect the circuit breaker with anti-shock feature directly to the input power source. Then, test each wire to determine which wire causes the circuit breaker to jump. This is the wire that is having problems.

2. After identifying the damaged wire, replace it with a new one.

Check carefully when the circuit breaker jumps due to negative wall current:

If the damaged wire is in the wall, you will need to drill along the line, chisel the wall, and replace the damaged wire. Once replaced, re-plaster the wall to finish.

How to fix a hot or burned circuit breaker:

If the circuit breaker is burned out, it needs to be replaced with a new one. Before replacing, disconnect all power sources connected to household appliances. The replacement process must be carried out properly and ensure safety.

Replace with a new aptomat

Before replacing the circuit breaker, you need to prepare the necessary tools such as: new circuit board, screwdrivers, cutting pliers, and protective equipment. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Remove the cover of the old aptomat and loosen the screws at the wire location. Be sure to wrap the electrical tape tightly around the end of the wire to prevent electrical leakage and ensure safety.

Step 2: Remove the tightening screws at the wire connection positions on the old aptomat.

Step 3: Install the new aptomat in the position of the old aptomat just removed. Note, the new circuit breaker needs to have a capacity greater than the total capacity of the electrical equipment in the system.

Step 4: Reconnect the power cord to the new aptomat securely.

Step 5: Reinstall the protective cover for the aptomat and check whether the new device operates stably or not.

In addition, you can use specialized measuring devices such as Hioki 3283, Kyoritsu 2055, Hioki CM3289 to check the condition of the aptomat.

Hopefully the above guide will help you confidently handle problems related to aptomat in your home. If you need further support, do not hesitate to contact us to receive advice and quotes as soon as possible.