Circuit breaker tripping is a common problem that happens to many homeowners. It can be difficult to troubleshoot the issue, especially in an emergency.
Circuit breakers are a vital part of the electrical system in your home. They protect your property by interrupting the flow of electricity to an appliance or outlet.
But do you know how the circuit breaker works? Do you know what causes them to trip? If not, then read on!
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In this blog post, I will give you top reasons why circuit breaker keeps tripping and their possible solutions so that you can resolve the issue yourself! It’s important to know what causes circuit breakers to the trip so you can avoid tripping them again.
Circuit Breaker Tripping – 5 Possible Reasons and Solutions!
Here are some common reasons why circuit breaker tripped:
1: Overload
Your circuit breaker is designed to protect your home and prevent electrical fires.
If you overload the circuit, then the contacts in the breaker will heat up and cause the breaker to trip. When this happens, no more electricity can flow through this wire until repairs have been made.
That’s why it’s important that you don’t put too many appliances on one circuit so that they will function properly.
To prevent your circuit breaker from tripping, be sure to follow the wattage load of each circuit.
To solve this issue, you can try to:
– Disconnect some of the appliances on the circuit.
– Use a circuit tester to measure if the remaining appliances are safe.
2: Short Circuit
If the appliance plug doesn’t connect properly to the receptacle, it can cause an open or a short circuit.
If you have an open circuit, then the electricity will flow through another path instead of the normal pathway. It can cause overheating, electrical fires, and shock.
If you have a short circuit, the electricity will flow through an unintended path or be grounded back to the source, bypassing the fuse.
To avoid short circuits, always be sure to check your connections before plugging in a power cord. If you have a surge protector, be sure that it’s working properly.
If your breaker keeps tripping because of short circuits, then you should probably:
– Check your connections.
– Replace damaged cords or plugs.
3: Underpowered Outlets
Whether you have a power-hungry appliance and connect it to an underpowered circuit, the breaker will trip.
If you notice that one of your appliances keeps tripping the breaker, it may be getting too much power.
If you need to plug an appliance into a circuit with a small wire, use a heavy-duty extension cord that is the same gauge as the wire.
To test if your outlet is underpowered, try these quick solutions:
– Use a lamp or other simple, low-wattage appliance. If it’s still tripping, then it’s a problem with a breaker and not the outlet.
– Try a different circuit if you have one nearby that’s not being used.
4: Incorrect Wiring
The wiring that comes out of your breaker box and goes to a circuit is also very important. Wiring problems can be one of the main reasons why circuit breakers keep tripping.
Does your breaker box have metal or plastic brackets on the back of it? If so, then you may need to upgrade your panel to an over-current protection device.
Has anyone ever worked on wiring in your home? If so, then you may have a miswired breaker box.
To determine if your wiring is correct, use a circuit tester to find out which wires are connected to which breaker. Then look at the back of the receptacle that you are testing to see which wires match up with the black/white markings on your tester.
If you don’t have a tester, then you can always use your multimeter to check the wires manually.
You can also call professional electricians to fix the wiring .
5: Faulty Breaker
Your circuit breaker may be faulty if it’s constantly tripping.
If this is the case, then you may need to replace it with a new one.
Here are some sure signs that you need a new circuit breaker:
- Sizzling sounds
- Sparks
- Smoke coming from the breaker box
- A burning scent coming from the breaker box
Here is the list of home warranty companies that cover your electric system and are able to fix your circuit breaker:
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FAQs
Q. How to find what is tripping my circuit breaker?
A. The most common reason to find out what is tripping my circuit breaker is to check the circuit load (wattage). To test this, use a circuit load calculator.
We have provided reasons for circuit breaker tripping above; make sure to check all of them before calling an electrician.
Q. If the breaker won’t reset what can I do?
A. If your breaker won’t reset, you might have a faulty breaker or circuit wiring problem. In this case, it’s best to call a licensed electrician for help.
Q. Why are circuit breakers so important?
A. Circuit breakers can save your life and property. Without a circuit breaker, your house wiring can overheat and catch on fire.
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