The breaker box (also known as a fuse box, service panel, or main electrical panel) is the brains of your home. Circuits connected to the electrical panel provide the electricity that powers the products and gadgets you use on a daily basis. If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t think about your electrical panel very often. When your panel performs as it should, there’s really nothing to worry about. However, a tripped breaker is sometimes a sign that an issue may be present.
Electrical issues are rather prevalent, and they are sometimes simple to resolve. Breakers that trip too frequently are by far the most common circuit breaker issue. If your breakers are tripping too frequently, there are a few possible causes. You can anticipate these issues in your home, and it’s always better to be prepared.
MISWIRING
If there is a problem with the wiring in the inner workings of your electrical system, your breaker may turn off when it shouldn’t. Electrical wiring issues can allow power to continue to flow through a circuit even when it is turned off. Faulty wiring is known to cause electric shock and fire concerns. If you haven’t had an electrical safety check in a long time, you owe it to yourself and your family to schedule one right away.
Your licensed electrician will be able to tell you whether your wiring is safe or not, and what you should do about it. Devices and outlets that don’t work properly or don’t turn on at all are symptoms of miswiring. Shocks may also be felt near light switches and outlets. Additionally, if you notice a strange odor or discoloration near your electrical outlets, turn off the circuit at the breaker box and do not switch it back on until a certified electrician has examined it. An acidic, rotten egg-like odor is sometimes released by burning plastic and electrical components.
If the rotten egg odor isn’t coming from an outlet or switch, you might have a gas leak! In the event of a gas leak, natural gas makers are required to add a chemical called mercaptan to the gas in order to notify consumers to its presence. Learn about the warning indications that your furnace is malfunctioning.
Here are some frequent symptoms that your home is miswired:
An Excessive Number Of Extension Cables May Cause A Tripped Breaker
Extension cords should never be utilized as a long-term solution. Extension cables should only be used for brief periods of time. If you require additional outlets, contact your electrician. Electrical Safety Foundation International has more extension cord safety suggestions (ESFI).
Lights That Dim And Flicker
If your lights are dimming or flickering, it’s usually a problem with your circuit, not the fixture. When you turn on a high-usage appliance like a space heater or an HVAC system, for example, the lights may dim or flicker. Ask an electrician about transferring lights to a different circuit or building dedicated circuits for heavy appliances if you frequently notice fading and flickering lights.
Strange odors
You may be smelling a fire threat if you detect an unusual odor, such as burning plastic, rotten eggs, or sulfur. Turn off the electricity to the circuit from your circuit breaker as soon as possible and contact a certified electrician.
Shocks And Sparks
Shocks and sparking should never be overlooked, unless they are static. Call an electrician right away if you see melted breakers, sparking outlets, or shocks when you turn on the lights. Your expert electrician will be able to test the electrical systems to see if they are functioning effectively and safely.
Hot Switch Plates And Outlets
It’s not a good sign if electrical fixtures warm up while in use. Detecting outlets or switches that are hot to the touch is a sign that something is wrong. If any outlets or switches appear to be hot, immediately cut off electricity to that circuit at the breaker box and contact your electrician.
If you need your home rewired, or any other electrical service, it’s critical to choose a licensed electrician rather than a “handyman” to conduct the work.
OVERLOADED ELECTRICAL POWER CONSUMPTION MAY CAUSE A TRIPPED BREAKER
An overloaded circuit is the most typical cause of a tripped breaker or blown fuse. Your electrical panel has a safety system in place to prevent overheating if you request more power from your electrical circuit than it can manage. An automated shut-off mechanism will cut off the power flow if the panel detects a voltage going through your circuit(s) that is more than their permit.
This is why your biggest energy users, such HVAC systems and other big appliances, usually have their own circuits. One circuit breaker can typically handle 15-20 AMPs, which is less than certain appliances demand. That is why high-usage appliances may require a dedicated 20-30 AMP circuit.
RESETTING A TRIPPED BREAKER
A tripped circuit breaker, as previously stated, is the most prevalent circuit breaker issue. Your circuit breaker (if it’s working properly) will immediately shut off power to any circuit that is drawing too much power for it to handle, protecting your home and electrical system.
To reset your circuit breaker, follow these steps:
- Remove or switch off any devices connected to the circuit you want to restore.
- Locate and open the cover of your primary breaker panel.
- The tripped breaker will be located in a different location than the other breakers. The breaker in question will either be completely turned off or will be halfway between off and on.
- Switch the breaker to the off position (opposite way of all the other breakers that are on) and then back on to restore electricity.
- Try turning the switch off and on again if this does not restore power to the circuit. If you still don’t have power, you may have a more significant electrical problem. To diagnose the issue, contact a competent electrician.
Summary: Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?
The breaker box (also known as a fuse box, service panel, or main electrical panel) is the brains of your home. Circuits connected to the electrical panel provide the electricity that powers the products and gadgets you use on a daily basis. If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t think about your electrical panel very often. When your panel performs as it should, there’s really nothing to worry about.
Electrical issues are rather prevalent, and they are sometimes simple to resolve. Breakers that trip too frequently are by far the most common circuit breaker issue. If your breakers are tripping too frequently, there are a few possible causes. You can anticipate these issues in your home, and it’s always better to be prepared.
If you have any questions about why does my circuit breaker keep tripping contact me today.