A circuit breaker does not work properly?

[Michael George]

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,

 

[DEvens]

Is your 220V AC a three phase system?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-phase_electric_power

If it is, you should have three wire sockets with "hot hot ground" rather than the case with one-phase where you get "hot ground ground". Is that what you are seeing?

 

[Babadag]

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.

 

[mr166]

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.

 

[Michael George]

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.

 

[berkeman]

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.