Circuit breakers are a vital safety mechanism in all modern electrical systems. Every circuit in a house is designed to handle a maximum amperage. A spike in the electrical current can cause major damage to any electronics and devices on that circuit. Even worse, an overloaded circuit can cause electrical wiring to heat up so quickly that it begins to melt, potentially leading to an electrical fire.
Circuit breakers are specifically designed to prevent these issues. If the amperage of the current flowing through a circuit spikes above what the circuit can safely handle, the breaker will instantly trip and stop the electricity from flowing. Having certain circuit breakers keep tripping is a fairly common thing in winter. This article explains what can cause this to happen and when it’s a sign of a potentially serious electrical problem.
Electrical Overloads
While the winters in Georgia aren’t nearly as cold as in other parts of the country, many people still rely on things like space heaters and electric heated blankets to stay warm. Heated blankets typically only draw 100 to 200 watts of power. If you have a heated blanket on while multiple other devices or appliances are also drawing power from that same circuit, you can easily end up overloading the circuit and causing the breaker to trip. This is especially common in older homes where the outlets in multiple rooms are all connected to the same circuit. Space heaters can draw up to 1,500 watts when running on high, which creates an extremely high potential of overloading the circuit and tripping the breaker.
It’s easy to determine if the breaker tripped because the circuit was overloaded. Before resetting the breaker, unplug everything from the circuit. After resetting the breaker, start plugging in and turning everything on one at a time to see if the breaker trips again. If the breaker trips immediately before you’ve plugged anything back in, it’s a sign that there’s a problem with the circuit itself. If the breaker trips after you’ve turned multiple things back on, it indicates that you’re trying to draw more power than the circuit was meant to handle.
Loose Electrical Connections
Metal always contracts when it gets colder. In winter, this contraction can cause electrical connections to become loose, resulting in a short circuit that leads to the current spiking and the breaker tripping. This type of issue is especially common in older homes, partly because the exterior walls are often poorly insulated and also because electrical wiring and connections deteriorate over time. A loose electrical connection is always a serious concern, as it can cause the wiring to start sparking and potentially lead to the outlet or switch melting and catching on fire.
One thing you should always watch out for is an outlet or switch that feels hot, starts smoking or smells like it’s burning. If you notice any of these issues, you should immediately turn off the breaker for that circuit and then call for a professional electrical inspection.
Aging Circuits and Breakers
Frequent breaker trips can also be a sign that you need to upgrade your electrical system. As wiring deteriorates, it becomes prone to issues like short circuiting, power surges, and ground faults. If only one breaker keeps tripping when the circuit isn’t under much load, it either means that the breaker is faulty or that there’s a wiring issue somewhere within the circuit. If various breakers keep tripping, it’s typically a sign of wiring issues within the main electrical panel. It could also mean your panel is undersized and doesn’t have sufficient amperage to meet all of your needs. In either case, the only effective solution is to hire an electrician to replace the panel.
Make Your Home Safe Today
If your breakers keep tripping and you’ve already checked that your circuits aren’t overloaded, scheduling an electrical safety inspection as soon as possible is essential for avoiding major electrical hazards. If you’re dealing with breakers that frequently trip or any other problems, you can count on the experts at Brightest Bunch Electrical for help. We’ve been providing safe, reliable electrical services to homeowners in Oakwood, Buford, and the surrounding parts of Georgia for more than 20 years. From electrical panel replacement to repair services, we have what it takes to ensure your electrical system is safe and works properly.
To schedule an electrical panel inspection and get help determining why your breakers keep tripping, contact us today.
