I got to know my home’s circuit breaker intimately this winter. I’d fire up my video playlist on my TV, crank up the volume on the surround speakers, and then hop on my treadmill, ready to bust out a run. Bam! Blew everything out. Over and over, until I moved the powerful treadmill plug from the same one the TV was on to a different one, across the room from the TV and on a different relay. After that, I was ready to go.
Not every solution is that simple. Here are some reasons your home’s circuit breaker may be tripping.
Why Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping
Circuit Overload
If you guessed that this was my problem, you are right. The electrical circuits in your home become overloaded when an electrical wire/circuit receives more amperage than it’s intended to handle. To determine if this is the case, unplug all items from that circuit or room. Then, plug each one back in, one at a time. Consider moving high-demand appliances to their own plug, or you may need to install a new, dedicated circuit and outlet for the area to handle the amperage load.
Short Circuit
This happens when a “hot” electrical wire touches a neutral wire and causes a large surge of electricity to flow through. The circuit is overpowered and shuts off, either blowing a fuse or tripping a breaker. They can also occur when there are loose connections or animal damage (such as rodents chewing cords). You can trace the course of your short circuit, but if you aren’t comfortable doing so, especially if you believe there may be wire damage, then consult a professional electrician.
Ground Fault
This happens when a “hot” wire makes contact with the ground wire, junction box, or the grounded part of an appliance. When this contact is made, a large amount of electricity jumps from the hot wire to the grounded wire, causing a circuit to trip. Ground faults usually happen when equipment is damaged or defective and can be dangerous since live electrical parts may no longer be adequately protected from unintended contact.
Simply put, a circuit breaker is a safety mechanism designed for your protection, to shut the electricity off if there is a potential hazard. If you experience repeat instances of circuit tripping, consult a licensed electrician.
If you need an electrician who can handle this and any other jobs, then get in touch with Tim Kyle Electric. You can talk to an expert about new installations of lighting and wiring, among other things, for your home or business.
About Tim Kyle Electric
Tim Kyle Electric has been delighting our customers with responsive, trusted and professional electrical services since 1986. We provide residential, commercial and solar power services and are experts in our field. Our team of professionally trained employees uphold our core values of honesty, respect and integrity. We are available 24/7 for your electrical servicing needs. Get in touch with us today to discuss your next electrical project.