Does your circuit breakers keep tripping? If the answer is yes, then you’re probably wondering what’s going on and what’s causing the tripped breaker? You’re probably also wondering what can be done about it? We set out to answer these questions and educate the reader about circuit breakers and the reasons they trip.
Why the Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping
There are a number of different reasons for a tripped breaker, but today we’re going to be focusing on the three most common causes. These are an overloaded circuit, a ground fault, or a short. We’ll give you a brief explanation of each of these causes of tripped circuit breakers and tell you what you should do about it. But first, let’s cover what a circuit breaker is.
What is a Circuit Breaker?
While a tripped circuit breaker might seem like a nuisance, it is tripping to keep you safe. A circuit breaker is a safety device that causes an interruption in the flow of electricity when the electrical current is experiencing a problem. This kind of problem can be too much electricity flowing through the wires or if there is a risk of fire or electrocution. When a circuit breaker trips it means there is a problem that needs to be addressed. But what are the problems that can cause a circuit breaker to trip?
An Appliance Keeps Tripping Circuit Breaker Because of an Overloaded Circuit
The number one reason a circuit breaker keeps tripping is an overloaded circuit. This happens when we have too many appliances or electronics drawing electricity from the same power source. An example of this would be having a microwave oven, a toaster, and an electric tea kettle all plugged into the same outlet and all turned on at the same time. This can cause a lot of electricity to flow through the wires leading to the outlet. A lot of electricity traveling through a wire can generate heat.
If more electricity is traveling though the wire than what it is rated for then a fire can happen. To prevent this, the circuit breaker is designed to cut the flow of electricity when there is too much electrical load going to an outlet. The solution to this problem is easy, as you simply need to not use all of those appliances or electronics at the same time. If you must use multiple electronics simultaneously then you can distribute the electrical load to multiple circuits around a room or house by using extension cords to plug some appliances into outlets on other circuits. If you’re not sure about doing this then consult with a professional electrician.
A Ground Fault
We use the word fault to describe a deflection in the flow of electricity from its intended path. Electricity usually travels in a one-directional path through wires in what’s known as a circuit. If there is damage to a wire’s insolation and the exposed wire comes into contact with the metal housing of an appliance, then we call this a ground fault. It is something of a confusing name, as it doesn’t have much to do with the ground. When a ground fault occurs, anything metal that comes in contact with the exposed wire can become electrified and electrocute anyone who touches it. When there is a ground fault there is a detectable disturbance in the flow of electricity.
Circuit breakers are designed to be able to notice the disturbances in electrical current caused by a ground fault. This will result in the circuit breaker tripping as a safety feature to prevent someone from getting electrocuted. Locating and fixing a ground fault can be very difficult because the exposed wire might be inside any number of appliances or electronics. If you suspect that you might have a ground fault, then you need to seek professional help from a qualified electrician.
Short-Circuiting
An electrical short circuit happens when two exposed wires in a circuit come into contact with each other. This can cause a very high-intensity burst of electricity that can lead to a lot of heat and possibly a fire. A circuit breaker will detect this which instantly leads to a tripped breaker to prevent any danger that can be caused by a short. An electrical short is similar to a ground fault, in that they are both difficult to fix due to the difficulty of locating the trouble wires. In the case of a short, they could be inside an appliance or inside a wall. A qualified electrician will need to be called out to locate the problem and enact repairs.
Contact a Professional Electrician for Your Electrical Problems
We have presented this information to educate the reader about the causes of a tripped circuit breaker – not as DIY repair instructions. If you suspect you have any of these problems, please contact a professional electrician. Gimpel Electrics is an electrician Brisbane southside residents and businesses call on. We’ll be happy to work with you to determine the best course of action to resolve any electrical problems you may be having. You can contact us by calling (07) 3343 4066, emailing admin@gimpelelectrics.com.au, or by filling in the online form.
