3 Things That Can Cause A Circuit Breaker In Your Home To Trip Off Frequently
Posted on: 4 March 2020
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While it's frustrating to have a circuit in your electrical panel that flips off frequently, it's important to understand this usually happens as a safety measure that protects your home from fire. Here are common causes of a circuit flipping off and why you should have an electrician look at the problem.
1. An Overloaded Circuit That Draws Too Much Power
If you have too many appliances or lights plugged in a single circuit, the breaker can flip off. This is a common problem in older homes with outdated electrical panels. These were designed for homes that had little electrical equipment and few appliances. If you have many of the conveniences of modern life, but still have an old electrical system, you'll probably deal with circuit breaker problems occasionally. As long as the power is restored when you turn the breaker back on, this may not be an emergency problem, but it is inconvenient when you have to watch what you plugin so you don't trip a breaker. An electrician can install extra circuits or upgrade your panel so you can eliminate this problem.
2. A Short Circuit That Could Cause A Fire
A short circuit can also cause a breaker to trip, and this is a more serious problem. When you flip the breaker back on, it may flip right back off so your home isn't at risk of a fire from a short circuit. Call an electrician for repairs right away so you can restore power to the circuit safely and so your home isn't at risk.
3. Faulty Components In The Electrical Panel
It's possible there's a problem in your electrical panel that an electrician will have to uncover and repair. The circuit breaker could be bad or there might be a problem with the wiring. If your electrical panel is old, it may be time to replace the entire panel and upgrade your electrical system in the process. An electrician will recommend the right repairs that keep your family safe.
When a circuit in your home loses power, check the electrical panel first. Slide the breaker all the way to the off position and then flip it back on. Sometimes you can't tell by looking if the breaker is off or on since it may not be all the way to the side. So, move it all the way off and then all the way on and see what happens.
If the circuit flips off, leave it off and call an electrician. If you see burn marks or smell burning plastic coming from the panel, then get emergency service from your electrician to reduce the risk of fire in the box that could spread to your home.