Your circuit breaker is one of the most important safety regulations for your home or business. The ability to detect an overload and immediately cut power is one of the most vital systems. That said, for many homeowners and business owners, a sudden loss of power, especially when it is frequent, can be extremely annoying. As residential and commercial electricians, we often hear from local businesses and homeowners how frustrating it can be to have a breaker that trips frequently. It is important to understand what is happening, how to prevent it, and when to get an upgrade. To that point, if you are in the Greater Boston area and need any inspections, maintenance, upgrades, or troubleshooting on your electrical system, please give us a call!
What Causes The Circuit Breaker To Trip?
There are a few different reasons a breaker might trip, some good, and some bad. Per the design, a breaker is supposed to trip when there is too much energy going through the circuit. This prevents overheating which eventually leads to electrical fires, sparks, and other dangerous issues. If electricity was allowed to overload without any stopping point it could lead to large fires or electrocution. But with a breaker, the flow of electricity is broken when it hits a threshold. That threshold can be hit by having too many appliances running simultaneously, but it can happen for other reasons.
The most common reason a breaker trips frequently is that there is something wrong with the breaker. Remember, the breaker is designed to cut the power when it notices an overload. It is possible that the circuit breaker is faulty and is shutting off for false overloads. Another issue is an older electrical system that is not able to handle the electrical load of newer appliances.
How Do I Replace My Circuit Breaker?
If you are worried that your circuit breaker is fault because you are losing power frequently, call a local electrician. They can identify if if is the breaker, the wiring, or another section of your home that is causing the problem. For example, a faulty outlet, a faulty appliance, or faulty wiring could be the problem. Once the problem is identified, it can be addressed.
Does My Home Need an Electrical Inspection?
There are a few reasons to get an electrical inspection. First and foremost, it is always a good idea to get one every few years purely to prevent any issues and make any necessary repairs and upgrades. But other reasons include noticing burn marks or burning smells, or noticing that electrical appliances surge or lights randomly dim. Above all, if your breaker trips frequently you should call an electrician for an inspection.
Electrical Work in Greater Boston
If you own a home, manage a property, or need security systems installed for your business, our team can help. We travel throughout Greater Boston to provide installations, repairs, and more to property owners. For more information, click below to request a consultation.