Why Does My Circuit Breaker Keep Tripping?

There’s nothing more frustrating than suddenly losing power in a portion of your house, having to trek down the basement stairs, and then flipping a breaker. The more this happens, the more frustrating it gets. According to HOMEE Inc, circuit breaker problems are the most common electrical issue in homes nationwide. Hiring a licensed electrician to fix the root cause is ideal. Here are the most common reasons why your circuit breaker may be tripping.

Overloaded Circuit

One of the most common reasons a breaker will keep tripping is because there are too many things on one circuit. This is especially common when a homeowner has a lot of stuff plugged into power strips because they don’t have enough outlets. You’ll notice that the breaker trips every time you turn on specific things that use a lot of power, like a window air conditioning unit. A licensed electrician can tell you if upgrading your breaker box to handle a heavier load safely is possible.

Appliance Issues

Sometimes, certain appliances can cause issues. Defective appliances can make a breaker trip anytime they are plugged in. This may be because of faulty wiring with the appliance. To determine if the appliance is the problem, plug it into another outlet and see if the same thing happens. If a breaker trips, it’s the appliance. If it doesn’t, there is another problem. Many appliances also have electrical surges when they start or kick on. For example, when you open your refrigerator door, the fridge goes into gear to cool down the interior temperature. This can overload the circuit box, making a breaker trip.

Wiring Problems

Wiring problems can instantly make a breaker trip. Sometimes, electrical systems are designed to shut down if there is a fire hazard, such as a surge of electricity. Faulty wiring in your electrical outlets can make a breaker trip when something is plugged into them. Outdated systems with old wiring often have issues because they are not designed to handle the heavy electrical loads of modern appliances. Loose connections are another common wiring problem a licensed electrician can help you with.

Contacting a licensed electrician for help is necessary if you notice that a breaker is constantly tripping. A professional can evaluate the situation, help you determine the root cause, and fix the problem so you don’t have to run to the basement every few hours. Contact us at Volt Electric USA to schedule an appointment today.