I have a Siemens dual breaker for two circuits. Can only one side fail leaving the...

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karen

New member
...other functional? Four exterior outlets on my home have failed. They are on one circuit to a dual breaker. The other side of that breaker is for a circuit powering interior lights. I was told that if the breaker failed, both sides would be dead - but only one side is dead as the interior lights work fine. Is it possible the breaker is "half-failed" or more frighteningly, has the circuit for my exterior outlets failed somehow and the breaker is just fine?? I thought I'd ask here first - thanks!
thanks for the prompt answers. i checked around all outlets - sure enough there was a fifth with a GFI - i reset it and BINGO - all circuits are back in order - i owe you one jusvicious!
 
No, its against the electric code to have it wired that way. The way you have described it sounds like they have it connected to a piggyback breaker. Each circuit is on it's own breaker. The only thing i notice that is wrong is that the exterior outlets should be on a GFI breaker or have a GFI receptacle installed at the start of the circuit which will feed the other 3 outlets. You should really have this done. Hope this helps.
 
No, its against the electric code to have it wired that way. The way you have described it sounds like they have it connected to a piggyback breaker. Each circuit is on it's own breaker. The only thing i notice that is wrong is that the exterior outlets should be on a GFI breaker or have a GFI receptacle installed at the start of the circuit which will feed the other 3 outlets. You should really have this done. Hope this helps.
 
One of the tougher problems to diagnose is when half a twin breaker goes bad. Even with a meter, you will get some feedback and you think you are getting 220, but you aren't. When this happens, your stove top will work, but the oven won't, or your dryer will start and run, but not heat. Check each switch individually, turning each side off and on. If there is any play in the switch, it's toast.
 
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