Type QT breaker

[thewoodster]

Backstory:

A few days ago, the power went out and came back on a few times. After that, everything seemed to be working fine, but now the outdoor ring camera doesn't work. I checked for current with a meter, and it shows current on both ends: the breaker and the actual camera. I want to replace the breaker because it seems the easiest fix. I've read that some breakers can be faulty even when current is still passing through them. So here I am, trying to replace the following.

I am looking for a Type QT breaker that feeds my 240 outlet and a 120 outdoor ring camara. I attached two images, one with the label and the actual breaker. I checked the big box, but they didn't seem to have the exact one I'm looking for, which is marked 20's on the outside and 15's on the inside. The closest one I found is this one: (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Siemens...uble-Pole-Circuit-Breaker-Q22020CT2/202315475)

Do you think that will work?

 

[mm08822]

No.
Order the identical one online.

 

[PCustoms]

How did you check current with the meter, and what do you mean by it has it on both ends?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Backstory:

A few days ago, the power went out and came back on a few times. After that, everything seemed to be working fine, but now the outdoor ring camera doesn't work. I checked for current with a meter, and it shows current on both ends: the breaker and the actual camera. I want to replace the breaker because it seems the easiest fix. I've read that some breakers can be faulty even when current is still passing through them. So here I am, trying to replace the following.

how did you test for current? current only flows if there is a load. did you mean voltage?

I am looking for a Type QT breaker that feeds my 240 outlet and a 120 outdoor ring camara. I attached two images, one with the label and the actual breaker. I checked the big box, but they didn't seem to have the exact one I'm looking for, which is marked 20's on the outside and 15's on the inside. The closest one I found is this one: (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Siemens...uble-Pole-Circuit-Breaker-Q22020CT2/202315475)

Do you think that will work?

no you need to replace like for like especially if the wire on the 15a lugs is #14. or you could go with all 15s unless the receptacles on the 20a circuit are 20a rated. home depot doesnt appear to carry the breaker you need. you could try a supply house...

SIEMENS Q22015CT 20/15A 240V 4P 10K NEW QUAD - Amazon.com

SIEMENS Q22015CT 20/15A 240V 4P 10K NEW QUAD - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Siemens (2) 15 Amp Double-Pole Type QT Quad Circuit Breaker Q21515CT2 - The Home Depot

Siemens Double-Pole Type QT Quad Circuit Breaker is used for overload and short-circuit protection of your electrical system. Easy to install.

www.homedepot.com

 

[Max]

If you have 120V at the ring camera, and if you have current flowing, then it's very unlikely that the breaker is the issue.

 

[kbuhagiar]

If there was a surge or brownout before/during/after the outage it may have fried or bricked the Ring camera.

 

[mike93lx]

If you have 120V at the ring camera, and if you have current flowing, then it's very unlikely that the breaker is the issue.

I'll go one step further.

The breaker is not the problem and is a waste of money and effort.

 

[Max]

I'll go one step further.

The breaker is not the problem and is a waste of money and effort.

I didn’t want to go quite that far because we don’t know if he really measured current or voltage yet. But still, if all he measured was 120V at the camera, I’d still say that the breaker was 99.9% likely to not be the issue.

 

[sparky 1971]

Though anything is possible, I have a hard time believing that a ring camera is the only thing on a breaker. Therefore, if everything else is working, the problem isn't the breaker. It's more likely the camera is junk, not the breaker.

Shut off the breaker that you think is for the camera and see if other things go off.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I'll go one step further.

The breaker is not the problem and is a waste of money and effort.

I wasnt gonna say it but i thought it for sure

 

[mike93lx]

I wasnt gonna say it but i thought it for sure

I was surprised you didnt... Made me wonder for a sec if I was missing something

 

[PCustoms]

I was surprised you didnt... Made me wonder for a sec if I was missing something

I was waiting for the OP to respond to my questions before I piled on..was clear there was probably a terminology issue at least

 

[thewoodster]

How did you check current with the meter, and what do you mean by it has it on both ends?

With a Voltage tester. (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-T...ter-Pen-50-1000V-AC-NCVT1PR-NCVT1PR/317460355) When I touch the breaker on the panel, it beeps, and also when I touch the head lamp, so it seems both ends have current.

 

[mike93lx]

With a Voltage tester. (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-T...ter-Pen-50-1000V-AC-NCVT1PR-NCVT1PR/317460355) When I touch the breaker on the panel, it beeps, and also when I touch the head lamp, so it seems both ends have current.

That's not testing for current. It's testing for voltage

Get a real multi meter and actually measure what the voltage is.

 

[PCustoms]

That's not testing for current. It's testing for voltage

Even then they aren't accurate, and can give false positives (showing the wire as "hot" when it's dead)

Get a real multi meter and actually measure what the voltage is.

This. Or plug something else in where the ring is (if possible) to tell

 

[thewoodster]

If you have 120V at the ring camera, and if you have current flowing, then it's very unlikely that the breaker is the issue.

Thanks. I found the breaker online, so I'm going to try that first and see how it goes. Thanks again.

 

[thewoodster]

how did you test for current? current only flows if there is a load. did you mean voltage?


no you need to replace like for like especially if the wire on the 15a lugs is #14. or you could go with all 15s unless the receptacles on the 20a circuit are 20a rated. home depot doesnt appear to carry the breaker you need. you could try a supply house...

SIEMENS Q22015CT 20/15A 240V 4P 10K NEW QUAD - Amazon.com

SIEMENS Q22015CT 20/15A 240V 4P 10K NEW QUAD - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Siemens (2) 15 Amp Double-Pole Type QT Quad Circuit Breaker Q21515CT2 - The Home Depot

Siemens Double-Pole Type QT Quad Circuit Breaker is used for overload and short-circuit protection of your electrical system. Easy to install.

www.homedepot.com

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. I found it online for $52 (wow)

Siemens Q22015CT 2-Pole 20 or 15 Amp 120/240 VAC 10 kA Circuit Breaker | Energy Avenue

Siemens Low Voltage Residential Circuit Breakers Miniature Thermal Mag Circuit Breakers - Duplex, Triplex, Quadplex are Circuit Protection Load Center Mains, Feeders, and Miniature Circuit Breakers. Type: QT Application: Electrical Distribution Standard: UL 489 Voltage Rating: 120/240V Amperage...

www.energyavenue.com

 

[thewoodster]

If there was a surge or brownout before/during/after the outage it may have fried or bricked the Ring camera.

That is what I am afraid of. I have two, but only one seems to be out. I am going to try the breaker 1st since it is the cheapest option. The Ring Cams have likely exceeded their warranty.

 

[thewoodster]

That's not testing for current. It's testing for voltage

Get a real multi meter and actually measure what the voltage is.

Thanks, I will do that.

 

[thewoodster]

Even then they aren't accurate, and can give false positives (showing the wire as "hot" when it's dead)



This. Or plug something else in where the ring is (if possible) to tell

That's smart. I have the older lamp (no cam) so that might work. Thanks

 

[mike93lx]

That is what I am afraid of. I have two, but only one seems to be out. I am going to try the breaker 1st since it is the cheapest option. The Ring Cams have likely exceeded their warranty.

Its almost certainly a waste of $52 plus spending time in the panel

 

[Max]

After the breaker doesn’t fix your problem, try this: https://topsecuretools.com/blog/how-to-hard-reset-your-ring-camera/

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

That's not testing for current. It's testing for voltage

Get a real multi meter and actually measure what the voltage is.

It may be old but I still use this multi meter (along with Simpson 260’s) even though I have several Fluke digital meters…….. Tough to give something up that you are use to and works well as long as you care for it.

 

[sparky 1971]

With a Voltage tester. (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-T...ter-Pen-50-1000V-AC-NCVT1PR-NCVT1PR/317460355) When I touch the breaker on the panel, it beeps, and also when I touch the head lamp, so it seems both ends have current.

Those are referred to as idiot sticks for a reason.

That is what I am afraid of. I have two, but only one seems to be out. I am going to try the breaker 1st since it is the cheapest option. The Ring Cams have likely exceeded their warranty.

Since you have two, why not try switching them around? Changing the breaker is absurd.

 

[mm08822]

Temporarily, move the wire to another cb.

Or plug the camera into a different circuit with an ext cord.

 

[PCustoms]

Temporarily, move the wire to another cb.

Or plug the camera into a different circuit with an ext cord.

OP should try an extension cord first.

 

[Codyboy]

So

Those are referred to as idiot sticks for a reason.

Since you have two, why not try switching them around? Changing the breaker is absurd.

Some like to throw unnecessary parts at issues when they don't understand there are protocols in troubleshooting an issue. Cars, toilets, ACs, and electrical and all the things really.
Hell, I've been on calls where someone spent 1000s on a breaker panel replacement and still have an issue.
Then finally out of desperation they'd call the POCO and I show up.
"We did this , that and still have flickering lights"
Ok I'll check it out.

Yeah, uh looks like the issue was the lug at the transformer . I made repairs.
Call back if you experience any more issues. Have a good day!

Drive off shaking my head.

 

[mm08822]

He can also dismiss the concern of bad cb by swapping a known load (other ckt) at the panel.

 

[PCustoms]

He can also dismiss the concern of bad cb by swapping a known load (other ckt) at the panel.

I get the sense OP should not be in a live panel

 

[wyliesdiesels]

With a Voltage tester. (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-T...ter-Pen-50-1000V-AC-NCVT1PR-NCVT1PR/317460355) When I touch the breaker on the panel, it beeps, and also when I touch the head lamp, so it seems both ends have current.

thats not a reliable way to test for voltage. nor is it the way to measure current, which requires a clamp meter.

that is an inductive non-touch meter. it can pickup ghost voltage from other cables nearby, giving a false positive.

get a real DMM and do an actual voltage test

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I get the sense OP should not be in a live panel

agreed