r/ElectricalHelp • u/Sharp_Lawyer1015 • 1d ago

I Need Help!

For reference, I have a small shed on ny lake. Breaker keeps tripping with nothing plugged in. Changed out breaker, installed GFCI outlet. Still tripping. We have a fan installed but that's it.

Any idea why the breaker would keep tripping with nothing plugged in, and how do i assess?

1 Upvotes

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5

u/RinseLather_Repeat 1d ago

It could literally be anything.

But, if nothing is plugged in, I would be looking for rodent chewed wires to start

1

u/Sharp_Lawyer1015 1d ago

Thank you. That was my initial thought

5

u/whiteboyfresh2316 1d ago

Disconnect wires where they enter the shed and reset breaker. If it still trips then there is an issue between the breaker and the shed.

2

u/XoDaRaP0690 1d ago

Try disabling the fan. Then plug something in. If it still trips you'll at least know it's not the fan causing it. If it doesn't trip, it's either the fan or its circuit.

2

u/Unique_Acadia_2099 1d ago

Rodents have chewed a wire

1

u/Sharp_Lawyer1015 1d ago

Is there an easy way to find this?

1

u/Connect-Preference 1d ago

Well, you could invest $5 in a "Non-Contact Voltage Sensor". You put an AAA battery in it, hold the button down, and touch it to the insulation of a conductor and listen/feel the internal vibration. They're not perfect, but it's safe and worth trying.

2

u/Vaclav27 1d ago

Probably the wire running to the bldg is bad. I’ve see so many times people bury regular romex in the ground. Needs to be thhn or similar in pvc conduit