A circuit breaker does not work properly?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a user's experience with a circuit breaker in Egypt, where they observe that both the hot and neutral wires remain live even when the circuit breaker is turned off. Participants explore potential reasons for this behavior, including wiring configurations and circuit conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the user's 220V AC system is a three-phase system, suggesting that the wiring configuration could affect the behavior of the circuit breaker.
  • Another participant proposes that the system voltage in Egypt might be 380/220 V and speculates that a short circuit or a large load could be causing the issue, referencing the tripping characteristics of circuit breakers.
  • A suggestion is made to ensure that the circuit breaker box is properly grounded, as improper grounding could lead to neutral wires becoming live due to feedback from other circuits.
  • The user clarifies that their house is single-phase supplied, indicating that there are only two mains (hot and neutral) without a ground wire.
  • One participant advises consulting a licensed electrician to address the wiring issues, indicating a lack of resolution in the thread.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the cause of the issue, with no consensus reached regarding the underlying problem or solution. The discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions about the electrical system in Egypt, including the potential for short circuits and the importance of grounding, but do not provide definitive conclusions or solutions.

Michael George
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I live in Egypt where we use 220V AC / 10 A.
When I turn light off at a circuit breaker, all lights turn off but both mains ( hot & neutral ) become hot.
When I test them, they both have electricity (live), so I afraid to touch them.
I would expect that they both become neutral ... Why does that happen ? and what is the solution ?
Thanks in advance,
 
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I don’t know the exact answer, of course. However I presume in Egypt the rated system voltage is 380/220 V indeed.Most of the dwellings are single-phase supplied.

In my opinion again, it has to be a short circuit or a large receiver in installation.

The circuit breaker will trip for 3 times rated current in 10 seconds.

In 10 sec. at 30 A a10 A circuit breaker could be hot.

If the lights are off -let's take these as incandescent bulbs- it could be at least 50% drop.

If at the end of a 100 m conductor of 1.5 mm^2 copper you'll connect a 3300 W receiver you'll get 30 A at the circuit breaker and a voltage drop of 50% [that means 110 V] for at least 10 seconds before it trips.
 
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Make sure that the circuit breaker box is properly grounded. If is is not the neutral wires can become "hot" due to feedback from other circuits.
 
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DEvens said:
Is your 220V AC a three phase system?

No, My house is a single-phase supplied. In Egypt, We have two mains only (hot and neutral). We don't have the third wire (ground) which is for safety.
 
Michael George said:
When I turn light off at a circuit breaker, all lights turn off but both mains ( hot & neutral ) become hot.

You need to consult a licensed electrician to figure out your problems with your house wiring. Thread is closed.
 
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