"Jon" wrote in message
...
On 9/4/2010 10:51 AM, jamesgangnc wrote:
On Sep 4, 1:42 pm, wrote:
I have a main power box outside with two 50-amp breakers and one 30-amp
breaker. A voltage test shows 120 volts passing through them. Three of
my six 20 amp breakers in the inside box are not receiving any voltage.
They did not trip, just out of the blue for no apparent reason stopped
getting any power through them. The other three are working normally.
What is going on?
The 50's are single pole or double pole?
Coming into your house is 2 120vac lines and a neutral. It sounds
like one of those 120 lines is not getting to your subpanel with the 6
20amp breakers in it. What's on the 50's? Does one of them feed your
subpanel with the 6 20s in it?
I don't know the difference between single and double pole. That is
exactly what the problem is- power not getting to the subpanel. Half of
the breakers are receiving power, the other half are not. Everything was
working fine until yesterday when this problem arised.
While I agree with those preaching caution and get help I also feel a person
who asks a question deserves and answer.
If you will find this text "Finally, pick the breaker" about halfway down
this page:
http://www.thewoodnerd.com/articles/circuitSizing.html
there is a picture of 3 breakers. They are 2 single pole 110V breakers and
a double pole 220V breaker (number 3). If you use your test probe from any
single screw at the right edge of the breaker to neutral buss you should
show 110V. For the 220V breaker to be working properly you would need to
get 110V at both of the screws. NOTE: than some one has attached a white
wire to one terminal of the breaker in this photo and if they took the time
to color code it correctly that does not show in the picture.
Quote from the page "Also notice how the DP breaker (#3) has just a single
toggle (the switch flipper)? Some DP breakers will actually have two toggles
tied together with a metal clip, same effect."
It sounds like you have lost one side of one of you 220 volt breakers or if
you have 220 at the breaker you have lost a connection between that point
and the inside panel. Breakers can and do go bad. Losing half of the load
on a 220 can and does happen.
--
Colbyt
Please come visit
http://www.househomerepair.com