A tripping circuit breaker is always a hassle for most homeowners. Just imagine a pitch-dark house, no AC or fans working, no TV on, and the like for a considerable period. Aside from that, you will be forced to run to your fuse box to reset it. The problem is, not all homeowners would have the know-how on how to reset the fuse box, thus, calling yet again the neighborhood electrician.
Sure, you can reset the fuse box and have the electrician come over every time, but know that a breaker that keeps on tripping tells you that there is a bigger problem in your electric wiring. Hence, it is better to find out the root of the problem and solve once and for all your tripping breaker problem.
In this article, the common causes of tripping breakers, tips, and simple home guides to avoid the problem are outlined. If you are one of those homeowners who need a solution to this problem now, read on.
What is a circuit breaker?
First of all, what is a circuit breaker and what does it do for the home? The simple answer is that a circuit breaker keeps and regulates electric flow in the home every time you switch on appliances, lights, and all home items that need electricity to be powered up.
Without the regulation of the circuit breaker, your home will experience electrical overloading. This in turn causes overheating of the appliances. If there is overheating, it will only be a matter of time before electric flow goes haywire causing appliance explosion or even fire.
With these, the next time you see that inconspicuous box in your garage or in the basement, know that it is keeping you safe from electric overloading, overheating, and from fire.
What are the main causes of breaker tripping?
If your breaker trips once, sure, you can just have it reset or have it checked by your trusted electrician. After that, it should all be good. But if it trips again, and again, in short intervals, you must start worrying because that is a sign of a bigger problem.
For you to diagnose what might be the underlying breaker problem in your home, here are some of the main causes of breaker tripping:
- Ground fault: Electric grounding usually happens when there is a bare wire inside the circuit breaker box. Thus, when a hot wire and a bare wire starts touching, an electricity surge happens every time the breaker is on. This causes repeated breaker tripping and if unsolved, will cause one of your outlets to explode or burn.
- Short circuit: This is the most common cause of breaker tripping. This usually happens when a neutral wire is in contact with a hot wire. The friction from this generates heat. Fortunately, circuit breakers are made to detect short circuits thereby automatically shutting off for safety.
- Circuit overload: Part of your home blueprint is the electric wiring. As your home grows, the need for electricity also increases. When the added appliances, gadgets, and electric items pile up, and just one circuit breaker regulates them all, then your home is bound for circuit overload.
- Overheating appliances: There really are some appliances that require more electricity pumps. Most of the time, the lack of preventive maintenance, and the age of our appliances also contribute to overheating. Some high power appliances that you need to watch out for are dryers, aircons, dishwashers, refrigerators, and ovens.
How do you DIY solve breaker tripping problems?
There is no one-shoe-fits-all solution to solve breaker tripping problems. It always depends on what the underlying cause is. As such, here are some DIY solutions to the most common causes of breaker tripping.
- Make an appliance power inventory: Your breaker can only take so much. The first thing to do is to identify which of the appliances that you have consume the most power. To avoid overloading, you can install a separate breaker for the powerful appliances.
You can also install dedicated circuits for this matter. If you want to know more about this, you can ask professionals, get a quote, and most importantly, get appropriate tips.
- Preventive maintenance: Clean your appliances, check the cords, cover exposed wires. Do these once every month. At the same time, check your breakers too. Make sure that the wirings are intact and that all the switches are in a good place.
- Reset the breaker: If the cause of your breaker tripping is short circuit, learn how to reset a breaker. Make sure to follow the safety tips. If you do not know how, never hesitate to call for professionals. AW Electric is one of the most trusted professionals in this field.
- Seek the help of electricians: If worse comes to worst, do not even dare touch your tripping breaker. At the first onset of a fire-like smell, call the nearest and your most trusted electrician.
Tripping breakers pose more problems and safety issues when it is not solved immediately. To put an end to this, you should first know the cause as to why your breaker keeps tripping. Most often than not, it is caused by one of three things such as short circuit, ground fault, or circuit overloading.
Other evidence of a faulty breaker are discolorations around the breaker, burnt smells around the switches and breaker, and cracking sounds whenever you plug in appliances in the sockets. Most importantly, it comes in handy that you have a trusted professional for breakers that keep on tripping. For that matter, one of the most reputable ones is AW Electric.