Your electrical panel is designed to trip the breakers when it senses a problem. This built-in safety net prevents your wires from overheating and starting a fire. If breakers trip frequently, it can quickly become frustrating. By finding the culprit and eliminating it, you can resolve this issue.
Common Culprits
The #1 reason why an electrical panel will trip a breaker is circuit overload. This will happen if you plug too many of your high-wattage appliances into one circuit. For example, using your microwave and a space heater at the same time can do this. The average residential circuit is rated for 15 to 20 amps. If you exceed that limit for any length of time, the breaker will trip to prevent overheating.
A more serious issue is short-circuiting. This is when a hot wire touches a neutral one. The result is a large surge of electricity. You’ll smell something burning and see scorch marks, and the breaker will quickly trip again after you reset it.
A ground fault is similar to a short circuit, but it occurs when the hot wire touches a ground wire or the metal wall of an outlet box. You’ll find this problem in high-moisture areas, such as the kitchen or bathroom.
Additional Issues
A faulty appliance can also trip a breaker. It only takes one malfunctioning appliance, such as a toaster with a frayed cord or an old refrigerator, to do this. The appliance is drawing an excessive amount of current, or it’s having its own internal short.
Arc faults are small sparks that damaged or loose wiring connections cause. If you have modern AFCI breakers, they’re designed to detect arc faults and trip.
You could simply have an old electrical panel or breakers. Breakers and panels can wear out after 20 to 30 years of use. You may have breakers that feel loose, don’t stay in the On position, or are hot to the touch.
Safely Troubleshooting
Unplug everything that’s on the breaker that keeps tripping. Reset it by turning it off and back on. Start plugging your items back in, one at a time. If it trips after you plug in one specific item, you’ve found the culprit.
Check the electrical panel and your outlets for warmth. If any of them feel warm, call an electrician immediately.
Always make safety the top priority when it comes to your electrical system. You need an expert electrician to accurately diagnose issues and provide you with effective repairs. Call Duryea Electric for all your electrical panel service needs in Holyoke, MA.
