Circuit breakers serve an important purpose in the home electrical system. They’re designed to improve the safety of the system by preventing it from overloading. When the current flowing through the system is too much, the breaker trips to break the circuit. Typically, all that’s needed to restore proper function is for the circuit breaker to be reset. If the circuit breaker keeps tripping, though, it’s a sign that you have a more serious problem.
Overload
If your circuit breaker is constantly tripping, it’s possible that you’ve overloaded the system. The entire purpose of the circuit breaker is to keep the load on your system from becoming unsafe. Plugging in tons of appliances and using them all at once can easily overload the circuit breaker over and over again. Try lightening the load on the system a bit and see if that solves the problem.
Short Circuit
It’s also possible that you have a short circuit somewhere in your system. Short circuits are points where wires allow electrical current to flow in a way that it was not designed to. This can spark house fires, cause electrocutions, and cause all kinds of other problems. If you suspect that you have a short circuit in your system, you need to call for repairs as soon as possible.
Faulty Circuit Breaker
Perhaps the most remote, but still plausible, possibility is that the circuit breaker itself isn’t operating properly anymore. This could be due to a lot of wear and tear on the system, or simply because of an error in manufacturing. You’ll need to have a professional examine the system to be able to tell for certain.
Douglas Cooling & Heating offers comprehensive electrical services throughout Mountain Brook, AL. If you need electrical help, call today to schedule an appointment with one of our electricians.
