dpb wrote:
On 2/18/2014 4:05 PM, dpb wrote:
...

It's not tripping "for no reason whatever". It may be it has become
compromised but that wouldn't be my first supposition.
...

Actually, I'd forgotten it but I have had an instance where a breaker did
begin to trip after self-heating and it was the breaker itself that was faulty...

In that case it was the A/C condenser disconnect rather than "just" a
15A, but don't see that it couldn't happen.

Again, check if it shows any signs of thermal heating after it has tripped next time.

And, of course, they're inexpensive enough that might as well just try to
swap it out altho I'd still recommend the check for connections, etc.,
mentioned earlier, it's only prudent when there's an issue.

--

I have, without a doubt, had breakers go bad. If I recall correctly it was
those slim-line breakers that were used in Crouse-Hinds panels a few years
back. Weren't they notorious for self-heating?