Introduction
Common causes of circuit breaker tripping include an overloaded circuit, short circuit, ground faults and faulty appliances. To fix this issue, you should reduce the load on the circuit, check your wiring, get your faulty appliance repaired and change the circuit breaker if its damaged or old. If your circuit breaker is hot to the touch or has burn marks and a burning smell around it, call a professional electrical service to replace it. A damaged, undersized or aging circuit breaker can be a serious safety risk and can lead to electrocution, electrical fires and system failure.
Common Causes of Circuit Breakers Tripping And How to Prevent Them
Do you know that a frequently tripping circuit breaker is not just an annoyance; it can be dangerous for your appliance and your home’s electrical system? Signs of a faulty breaker are that it trips frequently, utters strange noises, is hot to the touch and has a burning smell. If you are searching for circuit breaker repair near me, we have compiled below a guide to understand the common causes of breaker tripping and how to fix the issue, before calling for professional help.
| Did you know?
Circuit breakers are designed to trip when the current exceeds 80% of their amperage threshold. A 20-amp breaker would trip if you draw more than 1900 watts at a time. |
Here is your guide to know the reasons for your circuit breaker tripping and how to troubleshoot.
Common Reasons Circuit Breakers Trip
Overloaded Circuits
If you switch on too many high-demand electrical appliances at the same time, your circuit breaker will overload and trip. Using more electricity at one time than your circuit can handle will likely result in an overload, causing the breaker to trip.
| Fast Fact
Avoid using your high-end appliances like the air conditioner, oven and dryer at the same time to prevent overloading your system. |
Short Circuit
A short circuit occurs when a live wire touches a neutral wire. This may result in sparking noises due to a large amount of current overflow. Loose connections, damaged switches and faulty wiring can cause short circuits and expose you to fire hazards.
Faulty Appliances
Faulty appliances can overheat and cause the circuit breaker to trip. If you notice performance issues with your appliances or notice burning smells around them, hire a credible electrician before the costly appliance damage occurs, ruining your electrical system.
Ground Faults
When a hot or active wire touches the ground wire, this allows large amounts of current to pass through the breaker, resulting in a ground fault and breaker trip. You are exposed to ground fault shocks in moisture-prone environments like bathrooms and kitchens.
- The National Electric Code requires to installation of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) in damp locations to protect you from electric shocks and fires.
What Can You Do About It?
- If you switch on too many appliances at the same time, an overloaded circuit will cause the tripping. Spread the load and avoid using all the appliances at one time.
- Disconnect the appliances when the circuit breaker trips and reset carefully. Avoid plugging in the appliances right away. Plug appliances back in one by one to see which one caused the tripping.
- Replace your circuit breaker if the problem persists and upgrade to a more efficient circuit breaker and electrical panel that can handle the ampere load.
- Hire a licensed and qualified electrician to regularly check your electrical system and ensure it is free of defects.
| Important fact
Ignoring a tripping circuit breaker exposes you to risks of electrical shocks, fire hazards, appliance damage and electrical system failure. |
Conclusion
The common causes of circuit breaker tripping include overloaded circuits, short circuits, faulty appliances and ground faults. Whatever the cause is, if the problem persists, it’s time to upgrade your electrical panel and circuit breaker to prevent costly damage. Scheduling regular electrical inspections keeps your system updated and defect-free, and gives you peace of mind. Arrange an inspection now and make your home safe and ready to meet the electrical demands of today and tomorrow.
FAQs
Why does my circuit breaker trip frequently?
20% of circuit breaker trips are due to ground faults or short circuits while the remianing 80% occur due to simple overloads.
How much will it cost me if I upgrade my panel from 100amps to 200amps?
The average cost of upgrading an electrical panel from 100 amperes to 200 amperes is between $1350 to $3100.
Does upgrading my home’s electrical panel increase my home’s property value?
Yes, upgrading your electrical panel makes your home more future ready to meet the electrical needs of tomorrow. Potential buyers look for homes with up-to-date and compliant wiring and electrical systems.
