If you have ever had to deal with a circuit breaker that keeps tripping, you would likely agree that it can be a frustrating and puzzling experience. Taking some time to understand the reasons behind it can help you address the root cause of the problem and address it effectively.
In this comprehensive explainer, we will take an in-depth examination into some of the common reasons why a circuit breaker keeps tripping. By the end of it, you will be well-equipped to identify the problem, address it, and prevent future recurrences. But before we get into it, let us first understand what a circuit breaker is and the role it plays in your electrical system.
The Role of Circuit Breakers in Electrical Systems
- What is a Circuit Breaker?
A circuit breaker is a protective device in your electrical system that safeguards it by shutting off power whenever it detects abnormal conditions. It comes into play when the current exceeds set limits and rise to an unsafe level. By automatically interrupting the circuit as a protective measure, it reduces the chances of electric fires and shocks as well as related injuries and damages.
- What Does a Circuit Breaker Tripping Mean?
To understand what it means for a circuit breaker to trip, let us first get some context on how electricity works. Electricity comes into a residential or commercial building from the utility company via a main supply line. Typically, it takes the form of alternating current (AC), which is suitable for powering appliances and systems in these settings.
The main supply line feeds into what is known as a distribution panel, breaker panel, or fuse box. In this panel, the main electrical supply gets into different circuit, each of which has a specific amount of electrical load to carry. From this panel, electricity moves through wires into the different parts of the building, connecting to fixtures, outlets, and switches.
One of the primary locations where you will find a circuit breaker is in the electrical panel where it serves its protective function. When it detects abnormal current movement, the action it takes to automatically switch off power to a given circuit is what is referred to as “tripping.” This safety mechanism prevents a number of potential hazards, including:
- Electrical Shocks: It automatically disconnects power when conditions seem unsafe, thereby protecting people from shocks.
- Electrical Damage: It interrupts the flow of abnormal currents which have the potential to damage electrical fixtures and appliances.
- Fire Risks: It stops excess current that can overheat wires and potentially cause fire.
How to Tell If a Circuit Breaker Has Tripped
The first and most outstanding sign that a circuit breaker has tripped is when you experience power loss in one part of your home or building. To confirm, locate the electrical panel and check the circuit breaker’s position. Most breakers are arranged in rows inside a metal box and feature a switch mechanism.
In “ON” position, the switch is typically around the center of the electrical panel while in “OFF” position, it is typically flipped away from the center. A tripped switch should be visibly off-center, somewhere in neutral position between “ON” and “OFF.”
How to Reset a Tripped Breaker
To reset a tripped breaker, push it towards the “OFF” position first and then back “ON.” In normal cases, this should be enough to reset it. But in some instances, it might trip again immediately or soon thereafter, pointing to a bigger problem.
Reasons Why a Circuit Breaker Might Keep Tripping
When a circuit breaker trips repeatedly, it signals a problem that you need to identify and correct. Constantly resetting or ignoring it altogether can lead to serious safety hazards. Let us find out some of the reasons why a circuit breaker keeps tripping and how to fix each one:
Circuit Overload
One of the most common reasons for recurrent tripping is a circuit overload. This happens when you draw more power from a given circuit than it is meant to handle. It could be because too many devices and appliances are using the same circuit simultaneously.
As mentioned above, every circuit has a maximum current capacity, in many cases ranging between 15 and 20 amps. When the power being drawn from any given circuit exceeds this capacity, it becomes overloaded and triggers the tripping mechanism.
In this case, tripping protects the circuit from overheating, which results from excessive current flow heating up the wires. Left unchecked, this can ignite the insulation and cause an electrical fire hazard.
How to Fix a Circuit Overload
- Identify items that use a lot of power, unplug them from the circuit and plug them into other circuits. Some of these items include microwaves, vacuums, hairdryers, irons, kettles, and heaters. Redistributing them in other circuits can help balance the load.
- Avoid using high-demand appliances at the same time.
- If the above fixes are not feasible, upgrade the circuit to increase the capacity. You will require the assistance of a professional electrician for this as it involves replacing the wiring and circuit breakers.
Overheating Appliance
Another possible reason for a breaker that keeps tripping is an overheating appliance. This typically happens with high-power appliances and is sometimes the result of improper use or a damaged component.
Blocked vents, damaged wiring, or a damaged motor are some of the common culprits behind overheating. Other possible reasons include overloading, poor installation, and use in unsuitable environments.
How to Fix an Overheating Appliance
- To identify the cause of the problem, unplug the appliance that was in use just before the breaker tripped and reset the breaker. If it does not trip again, this appliance is the most likely cause of the problem.
- Inspect it for signs of wear and tear, burn marks, melting, or clogging of filters. If there’s no visible sign of a problem, plug it back in and monitor closely. If it heats up, emits smoke, or produces a burning smell, turn it off and unplug.
- Call in a professional to repair or replace faulty components and review its usage to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid future issues.
- Create a regular cleaning and maintenance routine for appliances like dryers, heaters, and kitchen appliances that heat up during normal use.
Short Circuit
A short circuit occurs when an electric current bypasses its intended path and uses a different path. The result is a high volume of current that can produce sparks, cause overheating, or even fires.
One of the most common causes of a short circuit is when live and neutral wires meet and overload a circuit. Other causes include loose connections allowing conductors to touch or external factors such as rodents chewing on electric cables or water intrusion. Any of these situations will cause a breaker to trip due to the high power surge.
How to Fix a Short Circuit
- Start by turning off the main power switch in the affected circuit breaker panel to reduce the risk of electrocution or further damage.
- Inspect connections and wiring for signs such as burn marks, melting, or exposed wires.
- Repair the affected areas using replacement parts of the same type and rating. If you have any doubt about a replacement part, consult our representatives at Essential Electric Supply to get assistance in finding the correct part from our vast inventory.
- After completing repairs, switch on the affected circuit, test it using a multimeter, and monitor it for any other signs of problems. Consult a professional if the problem persists or if you are unable to identify the cause of the issue.
Bad Circuit Breaker
Over time, circuit breakers might malfunction and cause unnecessary power disruptions. This could be the result of mechanical wear and tear affecting internal components such as linkages, springs, and contacts. A poorly calibrated breaker could trip under normal current conditions.
How to Fix a Malfunctioning Circuit Breaker
- The first step involves diagnosing the breaker to confirm that it is indeed damaged. Switch it to the “OFF” position and using a multimeter, check whether the circuit is continuous. A continuous circuit points to a damaged breaker.
- Turn off power to the panel, remove the panel’s cover, disconnect the faulty breaker’s wiring, and remove it.
- Check its part number and specifications to purchase the correct replacement part and install it.
- Switch power back on and monitor the system for a few days. If tripping issues persist, it would be best to consult a certified electrician.
Circuit Breaker Safety Tips
Now that we have a clear grasp of what circuit breakers are, how they function, and the possible reasons why they might keep tripping, let’s learn how to keep them safe:
- Familiarize yourself with your electrical panel and label each part to indicate the section it serves in your home or commercial space. Keep it accessible at all times and not blocked by furniture.
- Regularly inspect all breakers in the panel for signs of wear and tear and replace them in time.
- Use every circuit according to its limits and avoid overloading them with too many appliances.
- Install AFCIs and GFCIs in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and any other areas prone to moisture or short circuits.
Why Choose Essential Electric Supply
Essential Electric Supply is your one-stop shop for everything electrical. Whether you need circuit breakers or any other electric parts, we take pride in stocking one of the most extensive inventories in the US. Our high-quality parts come with a two-year, gold standard warranty and we always deliver exactly what you need in the shortest time possible.
No matter what your residential, industrial, or commercial electric supply needs are, we have got you covered.
