It happens again as you unwind in your favorite recliner while reading a cozy mystery book: the power goes out, putting you in complete darkness. When your circuit breaker keeps tripping, it’s annoying, but understanding the causes can illuminate why you’re in the dark. Even though you may simply reset the circuit breaker each time it trips, finding the source of the issue will help you resolve it permanently. As explained in this article, you may fix problems with your circuit breakers and electrical system by understanding the distinctions between these three causes. While you may identify these problems, we advise you to call in the experts when dealing with residential or commercial electrical issues. Allow Morrill Electric to solve your electrical problems in no time!
What is a Circuit Breaker?
Circuit breakers are electrical switches that function automatically and have an on/off button. We use circuit breakers to guard against harm brought on by excessive electrical currents in electrical circuits. When there is an anomaly, they trip when they notice variations in the electrical current flow, severing the circuit link.
Every home’s electrical system is built with circuits managed and safeguarded by fuses or circuit breakers. Circuit breakers are now primarily used in modern homes to provide this control and protection for individual circuits—however, fuses in older homes with outdated electrical systems.
What Happens When a Circuit Trips?
When one of four harmful conditions—an overloaded circuit, a short circuit, a ground fault, or an arc fault—occurs, circuit breakers trip, and the fuse blow, cutting off the power.
Overloaded Circuit
Circuit breakers trip primarily due to an overloaded circuit, meaning a more significant electrical load or current flows through the circuit than is necessary. They malfunction or stop acting as protection. Upgrading or fixing your circuit will allow your appliances to work more efficiently, but this is different. When a circuit is overloaded, too much current can flow into your outlets and start fires.
Solution
Fixing your overloaded circuit may include moving heavy power-consuming appliances (lamps, heaters, irons, hair dryers, etc.) to a different circuit. When fixing your overloaded circuit, the goal is to redistribute electricity to more than one circuit and prevent it from tripping. Additionally, you can lower the load by turning off a few of the circuit’s components.
Short Circuit
When two active wires come into contact with one another, short-circuiting happens. Typically, blackening surrounding the outlet or the smell of burned wiring are the visible symptoms of this.
Solution
Verify that electricity is off at your gadget’s outlet before trying to fix a short circuit. Check your electrical wires for melted spots or other signs of damage. Check your plugs and outlets for burnt-odor smells and brown or black discoloration. Avoid touching the outlet, leave the breaker tripped, and call a licensed electrician to come to help you if you suspect short-circuiting.
Ground Fault
This error is similar to short-circuiting but different. Variance is a result of the interaction. A ground fault occurs when a hot wire comes into contact with the ground wire, rendering the outlet’s “grounding” ineffective and dangerous. We advise the same course of action for this fault: promptly call an electrician at Morrill Electric.
Solution
Check to ensure the ground wire or the side of the metal outlet box is not touched by the hot wire (black) to fix a ground fault.
The Reason Why Morrill Electric Can Assist
This article should not be interpreted as an encouragement to fix electrical problems yourself; it is merely a suggestion as to the likely cause. Suppose you are unable or uncomfortable with conducting your power issue diagnosis. In that case, Morrill Electric can help you determine whether you have a circuit shortage, a defect, or another issue.
It is always advisable to seek the help of a qualified electrical business, such as Morrill Electric, which offers you various residential and commercial electrical services in addition to other things. Whenever you’re having issues with circuit breakers, call in the experts. Call Morrill Electric at (978) 388-1522 to assist with your commercial and residential electrical needs! We are here to help and look forward to working with you soon!