Why Do Circuit Breakers Trip

Faulty circuit breakers can lead to major electrical faults that can end up costing you even more in damages.

Circuit breakers in homes act as the control center to protect your home’s electrical work from damage. These electrical safety devices come in different sizes and are essential to help reduce the risk of electrical fires.

Due to the important role these safety devices play, you should always consider replacing circuit breakers if you think they’re faulty in any way.

4 Common Causes Of Tripped Circuits

Circuit Overload

The most common reason for circuit breakers to trip is due to an overloaded circuit. This happens when you have too many electrical appliances or devices drawing power at the same time. In this case, the circuit does not have enough current to support all the devices and will trip to avoid further damage.

Overloaded circuits can generally be troubleshot by yourself. However, don’t be shy to call a professional if you suspect anything to be wrong or beyond your abilities.

Arc Faults

Arc breakers are special kinds of circuit breakers. Arcing occurs when power fluctuates and causes sparking between contact points. These faults are common with damaged or worn-out electrical wiring.

If these kinds of faults are left unchecked, they can cause your circuit breaker to trip.

Ground Faults

Ground faults occur when live wires come in direct contact with metal or conductive materials that allow current to flow in a different direction. This essentially allows electricity to take an unplanned route to the ground and heavily affects the flow of charge throughout the home.

These kinds of faults are dangerous, especially in rooms and spaces that hold moisture. This includes bathrooms and kitchens, as the moisture can increase the risk of shock.

Extreme Weather

Lightning can easily cause all your breakers to trip if it strikes an electric cable nearby. Lightning adds stress to your entire circuit, often enough to cause overload.

In most cases, you can wait for the storm to pass and just pick up the breakers yourself. However, you should call a professional to have a look if you think there may be any long-lasting damage.

Get Help With Your Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers can trip for several different reasons. While some issues can be fixed quickly, others may require some professional help.

At Fischer Electric, we pride ourselves on being a trustworthy family business that can help you with all your electrical needs. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, the Fischer Family of companies is there for all your electrical, heating, and restoration needs.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about how we can help, reach out to us today or give us a call! One of our knowledgeable professionals will be more than happy to answer your questions.