Circuit Breaker Keeps Flipping

[Art Maydan]

The bottom unit of my duplex is a 2BR and both bedrooms are on one circuit breaker. Most of the other breakers are a 20V but this one is a 15V. The tenant says that it keeps flipping and all he has plugged in is a modem, TV, and CPAP machine (this might use a lot of power, but what am I gonna do?). He’s tried hitting the “reset” button a few times and it’ll hold for half a day and flip again.

Does anyone have an idea of what the issue is and how much it’ll cost me to fix? I spoke with an electrician and he’s making it sound like this is going to be a seriously expensive endeavor. He says:

“Unfortunately you may have a very large issue. The system I suspect may have never been wired correctly to begin with and that is unfortunately a common problem. To solve this is a 2 part solution. Step a is to replace the breaker and a have preliminary look around which takes a few man hours typically. About 80 percent of the time problem solved.

If not step 2 we have to completely rewire the circuit that breaker controls which typically takes 2 men 30 to 90 minutes each box we have to pull through. This step typically takes 2 guys about a day sometimes longer. Sorry about the bad news but we need to be upfront about it.

Let me know if you have any questions or if are prepared to proceed.”

I don’t know anything about electrical work. It took me 2 hours to replace one of those test button outlets last weekend and I was pretty proud of myself… I have no way of knowing if they’re trying to rip me off or do unnecessary work. How would you suggest I proceed?

[Randall Brown]

Originally posted by @Jassem A.:

Put in a 20 amp breaker and see if that solves it. 15 amp breakers are usually for lights not receptacles

This is a dangerous suggestion and should not be left uncommented. It is correct that overloading the circuit would cause the breaker to trip. Replacing the 15A breaker with a 20A breaker would solve the problem,

However, the breaker is sized matching the rating of the wire. Basically, if during installation, they put thin (cheap) wire in there, it would be a 10A breaker. A little thicker wire.. can carry 15A.. gets a 15A breaker.

Thicker wire.. 20A breaker

What happens when you just replace the 15A with a 20A breaker? The wires get too hot and an electrical fire.

The insurance better not read this thread then.

The diagnosis from the original post is correct.

Maybe you can use this opportunity a nd add a new circuit, so that the 2 bedrooms have separate circuits. It will not add a lot of cost (a breaker costs $40.. or if they put in an ARCfault breaker.. $60)