The Common Causes of a Tripped Circuit

A tripped circuit isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It means that the circuit breaker is doing its job. However, if yours is tripping every now and then, you might want to call in a licensed electrician to take a look.

Here are some of the common causes that might be causing it to trip:

Overloaded circuit

Generally speaking, overloaded circuits tend to trip more often and constantly. This usually happens when you connect a circuit to multiple appliances, and the total load is beyond the circuit’s capacity. Other than tripping, being overloaded also causes the circuit to overheat. This puts all of your electrical appliances at risk. Here’s an example: let’s say your water heater needs a power of 20 amps to run, but it is connected to a 15 amps circuit. Naturally, the circuit becomes overloaded and fried. The key is to redistribute the devices or turn on a few at a time to keep the load off the circuit.

Short circuits

Short circuits are also a common reason behind tripping circuits and constitute a far more dangerous situation than overloaded circuits. A short circuit takes place inside the electrical outlet when a hot wire comes in close proximity to a neutral wire. As a result, a large amount of current flows through the circuit and generates excess heat. This heat is a result of the difference between what your circuit can handle and how current is flowing through it. To prevent hazards like fire, the circuit breaker trips and causes the circuit to shut off. Besides, short circuits can also occur as a result of loose cable connections and faulty wires. Always watch out for any burning smell coming out of the sockets or brown/black discoloration around the circuit.

Ground fault surges

These are similar to short circuits. A ground fault surge takes place when the hot wire comes in contact with the copper ground wire or the metal outlet box. As a result, more energy passes than the circuit can handle. This causes the breaker to trips.

If your circuit is tripping more often than usual, you might want to get it inspected by a professional. If you’re looking for a top-quality electrical contractor in Philadelphia, look no further than BG Electric Service LLC. Our services include fixture installation, house rewiring, and emergency electrical services.