If you’re like most homeowners, you might not give much thought to your electrical system. At least, you don’t until something goes wrong. One of the most common issues that homeowners experience is a tripped breaker. If you’re wondering why your breaker keeps tripping, you’re not alone. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons why breakers trip, and what you can do to fix the problem.
Overloading the Circuit or Short Circuit
One of the most common reasons why breakers trip is because of an overloaded circuit. That happens when too many devices draw power from the circuit. The reason why the breakers trip is to protect the circuit from damage. To fix this problem, you’ll need to determine which devices use too much power. Then either unplug or move them.
Another common reason why breakers trip is because of a short circuit. A short circuit occurs when there is a direct connection between the hot and neutral wires in a circuit. This can happen because of damaged wiring, a loose wire, or a faulty device. When a short circuit does happen, you can end up with an overheating system and melted wires. In serious instances, a short circuit can cause a house fire.
Electrical System Basics
Click this link for a video where electricians from Any Hour Services talk about the basics of your electrical system.
Ground Fault or Failed Breaker
A ground fault is the next common reason why breakers trip. That happens when an electrical current flows through a ground wire when it shouldn’t. The ground wire makes sure there’s another path for electricity to flow into the earth. That helps protect anyone working with the electricity nearby if a circuit shorts. Damaged wiring, a loose wire, or a faulty device can cause a ground fault. It’s crucial to get a ground fault looked at as soon as you can to prevent fires.
The last reason we’ll talk about is a corroded or loose breaker. Over time, the connection points on the breaker can corrode. That makes it hard for electricity to flow through the circuit. A loose breaker can cause arcing, which can lead to a tripped breaker. If your breaker fails, it can’t do its job and protect your electrical system. That’s why you should get it fixed as soon as possible.
Breaker Safety
Click this link for a video about why your breakers are tripping, what you can do to fix the problem and if it’s safe if your breakers are flipping.
In short, if you’re having problems with a breaker, you should get it checked out as soon as you can. If your breaker keeps tripping, it’s important to figure out what’s causing the problem and work to fix it. In that situation, it’s a good idea to call an electrician to inspect your electrical system. If you don’t already have an electrician you trust, Any Hour Services would be happy to help. One of our electricians can answer your questions and help you find a solution that works best for you. You can give us a call or schedule an appointment online.
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