What Your Tripping Circuit Breaker Is Trying to Tell You
A circuit breaker is an essential safety device in your home’s electrical system, so when it trips, you need to pay attention. Trips in the system mean something has gone wrong, and the breaker is trying to protect you. It may be a nuisance whenever your lights, appliances or outlets are cut out, but it is a clear sign that you require professional electrical help.
SCV Electrical is a leading team of electrical contractors who frequently help homeowners with tripping circuit breakers. Using our experience and industry knowledge, we are sharing everything you need to know about tripping circuit breakers and what this means for your home.
Remaining informed and acting quickly is essential to keeping your home safe and connected, and we are here to help.
What Is A Circuit Breaker, And Why Does It Trip?
A circuit breaker’s main purpose is to monitor the flow of electricity through a circuit, and it is an essential part of your home’s electrical safety. A breaker will trip, or automatically turn the power off, if it notices something wrong, such as too much power going through the circuit.
By tripping, the circuit breaker prevents overheating, electrical fires, and damage to appliances or wiring. Breakers are designed to interrupt power immediately when a problem is detected and play an integral role in your home’s safety. While constantly tripping the circuit breaker may seem annoying, as it interrupts your routine and causes appliances to cut out, it should not be ignored.
There are various reasons why your circuit breaker may be tripping, which can vary from small, easily resolved issues to extreme safety hazards.
Why Is My Circuit Breaker Tripping? Most Common Causes
A tripping circuit breaker is trying to tell you that something is wrong within your home. Noticing power outages, cuts to appliances, and wiring issues could indicate:
Overloaded Circuits
One of the most common causes of a tripping circuit breaker is an overloaded circuit. This is easily done in most homes, as we rely on so many appliances these days. However, using too many appliances, especially high-powered devices such as kettles, toasters or heaters, in one circuit can be dangerous.
When a circuit is being overloaded, it will trip because it cannot handle the pressure. This power cut is an indicator that you have too many things plugged in at once and need to make some adjustments.
Short Circuit
A short circuit occurs when a hot wire touches another hot wire or a neutral one, which causes a surge. This will lead to an immediate shutdown of the appliance or circuit to prevent electrical fires. In many cases, this kind of tripping circuit wire will be accompanied by scorch marks on the outlet or a burning smell.
Ground Fault
A ground fault is similar to a short circuit as it also involves hot wires and a surge; however, for this kind of tripping circuit breaker, the hot wire will have touched the ground wire or a grounded metal box. Like a short circuit, you may also smell burning or notice scorch marks, making this an extremely hazardous situation.
Ground fault trips are common in areas such as the kitchen, bathroom or outdoor outlets.
Appliance Fault
A single faulty appliance can cause the circuit breaker to trip and will continue to do so until it is repaired or replaced. High-power appliances, such as microwaves, are the most common culprits of these tripping circuit breakers and should be replaced immediately.
You can test your system and determine which appliance is causing the trip by unplugging each one and working your way through the circuit.
What Should I Do With A Tripping Circuit Breaker?
There are several ways you can try to remedy a tripped circuit breaker if you have just noticed the issue:
- Unplug devices from the affected circuit
- Check for visible damage to the cord, plugs and outlets
- Rest the breaker (firmly switch it off, wait a minute and turn it back on)
- Redistribute high-power appliances and avoid overloading the circuit in the future
These can help either remedy the issue, such as an overloaded circuit, or indicate whether a larger issue is at play. If you are dealing with a repeatedly tripping circuit breaker, or it trips immediately after resetting, you need to call a professional electrician. This indicates a larger issue and a bigger safety risk which you cannot handle alone.
When Should I Call A Professional?
While there are some ways you can manage a tripping circuit breaker on your own, for your safety and protection, you should call a professional electrician when dealing with the following:
A tripping circuit breaker, even when nothing is plugged in
- You hear buzzing or notice a burning smell coming from outlets or the breaker box
- Lights flicker or dim when other appliances are turned on
- You’ve tried troubleshooting, such as redistributing appliances or resetting the circuit breaker, and the issue continues.
SCV Electrical are local domestic electricians that can help with a range of requirements, including circuit breaker repairs and home rewiring. We are fully certified and experienced, ensuring your home remains safe at all times.
Conclusion
A frequently tripping circuit breaker is your home’s way of telling you there is an issue within your electrical system. Faults in wiring, outlets and circuit systems can lead to electrical fires, which is why you need to pay attention when you notice trips.
While the solution can be as simple as unplugging and redistributing appliances, a tripping circuit breaker can also be a sign of something bigger. SCV Electrical operates across London and Winchester, offering domestic electrical services to keep your home safe and connected at all times.
When you notice a tripping circuit breaker, do not delay – our team is here to help
Contact Us Today
Is your circuit breaker tripping? Contact us today for a consultation or emergency electrical repair.
FAQs
Is it dangerous if my circuit breaker keeps tripping?
Yes – a tripping circuit breaker can indicate electrical faults which can lead to fires. Do not keep resetting the breaker until you have investigated the cause.
Can old wiring cause a circuit breaker to trip?
Absolutely, ageing or damaged wiring is a common cause of circuit breaker trips, especially in older properties.
How can I prevent overloads?
Overloading is a common cause of circuit breaker trips and can be easily avoided by using fewer high-wattage appliances on a single circuit. You may also want to consider upgrading your electrical panel if you experience frequent trips.
