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I have four upstairs bedrooms with each bedroom running off an Eaton 20 Amp Arc Fault Breaker. When my 12 Amp vacuum cleaner is plugged into any outlet in three of the bedrooms, it works just fine. However, when plugged into an outlet in the master bedroom, the breaker trips immediately. After several hours of troubleshooting, here is what I have done: 1. Isolate the outlet that is the first one in series from the breaker box from all the other switches and outlets in the master bedroom. I've inspected the wires and replaced the outlet with a new one. 2. I swapped out the current breaker with one from the other bedrooms that works fine with the vacuum -- it still tripped the breaker immediately. 3. I purchased a new Eaton 20 Amp Arc Fault Breaker and same thing --- trips immediately. I'm at a loss...what could I possibly do next?

Phil
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    Turn the breaker OFF, then hold TEST while turning it back ON, and count how many times it blinks the indicator LED at you. Post that number of flashes here -- it's a [diagnostic code](http://www.eaton.com/ecm/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&allowInterrupt=1&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&noSaveAs=0&Rendition=Primary&dDocName=IL00402001E) that can be used to ID why the breaker tripped. – ThreePhaseEel Mar 05 '17 at 04:55
  • I did exactly what you told me to do and when I hold the TEST button down while turning it back on...it will not come back on. It stays tripped. However, when I turn it back on without holding the TEST button....it resets/turns on. – Phil Mar 05 '17 at 05:08
  • Is it a type BR or a type CH breaker? – ThreePhaseEel Mar 05 '17 at 05:15
  • It is Type CHAF – Phil Mar 05 '17 at 05:17
  • CHAF? Are you sure? You should be getting a CHCAF... – ThreePhaseEel Mar 05 '17 at 05:18
  • The house is 12 years old and all four breakers to the bedrooms are Eaton Arc Fault Breaker Type CHAF – Phil Mar 05 '17 at 05:21
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    ...get a CHCAF and swap it for the CHAF for the master bedroom, then try the vacuum again. (Your house was built during a transition period in the Code -- in current Code, branch/feeder AFCIs such as the CHAF can't be used standalone. Only a combination AFCI such as the CHCAF can be used by itself -- a branch/feeder AFCI requires supplemental protection in the form of an outlet branch circuit AFCI to be Code legal nowadays) – ThreePhaseEel Mar 05 '17 at 05:23
  • I understand what you are saying about code, but I guess I'm not understanding why it keeps tripping this individual breaker, but not the other three when they are being used. – Phil Mar 05 '17 at 05:46
  • I will purchase the following breaker and replace it for the master bedroom only: Eaton Type CH 20-Amp 1-Pole Combination Arc Fault Circuit Breaker Item # 292487 Model # CHFCAF120CS. Will this one work? – Phil Mar 05 '17 at 05:51
  • yes, that is the correct part – ThreePhaseEel Mar 05 '17 at 14:30
  • I'll let you know if it works or not. – Phil Mar 05 '17 at 15:36
  • I suspect that the neutral line is shorting to ground somewhere, possibly where it enters the box or perhaps in the walls some where. – Trevor_G Mar 05 '17 at 18:40

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Honestly, with these kinds of protective-device trips, the problem is often exactly what says on the tin.

An AFCI breaker is designed to look for arc faults, principally in the building wiring. You've swapped breakers around, the problem does not move with the vacuum, it does not move with the breakers, it has stayed with the bedroom. Occam's Razor: it's in the bedroom wiring.

Since wiring problems are almost always at wire ends or devices, I'd preemptively swap every receptacle with a nice contractor grade screw-and-clamp type.

Harper - Reinstate Monica
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  • So you are telling me the wiring from the breaker to the first outlet in series is faulty? Remember, I stated that I have disconnected every outlet, light switch on that particular circuit breaker except the one. – Phil Mar 05 '17 at 06:32
  • I've inspected the wires on the breaker and in the receptacle box...all look brand new...no marred wires, etc. And I did replace the outlet with a brand new one. – Phil Mar 05 '17 at 06:35
  • How are the wires connected to the outlet? Back stabs look good from the outside but could be the cause. How many other things are on the same circuit I know I usually put more lighting fixtures in masters if the lights are on the same circuit this could really be causing a over current situation and the breaker is doing its job. – Ed Beal Mar 09 '18 at 19:07