What is a Circuit Breaker?

The electrical box (or) control panel that provides power to the house has a circuit breaker in it. For electrical safety & control, this makes use of sub-switches, also known as breakers, that are connected to particular rooms in the house. The circuit breakers may shut down an affected circuit in the case that one of the circuits experiences a malfunction, preventing any dangers or damage to the electrical system.

Common Circuit Breaker Problems: Causes and Solutions

Circuit breakers have an assortment of potential complications. These consist of:

1). Miswiring

Human mistake during installation is one of the most frequent issues with circuit breakers. An electrical component that is mis-wired or has electrical wiring errors may fail to turn off properly and keep functioning even though the switch has been turned off. It will also be challenging to determine which circuit is truly affected if one of the switches trips. Electric shock is yet another effect of wiring mistakes.

Excessive use of extension cords– Never depend upon extension cords as a long-term solution. Extension cords should only be used temporarily.  (ESFI) – Electrical Safety Foundation International provides further safety advice regarding extension cords.

Flashing and dimming lights – A problem with circuit, not the light fixture itself, is usually cause if observe lights that are dimming and flickering.

Unconventional stenches – A fire threat may be present if smell something weird, like burnt plastic, rotten eggs, (or) sulphur. Switch off the circuit’s electricity at the circuit breaker, then as soon as possible to avoid electrical accident.

Sparks and shocks – Shocks & sparking cannot be disregarded, unless they are static shocks. The electrical systems can be tested periodically to see if the circuits are operating securely and correctly.

Switch-plates and hot outlets– It’s not an appropriate sign if electrical appliances warm up even when they are in use. If observe switches or outlets that are warm to the touch. Turn off electricity to that circuits at the breaker box if observe any hot outlets or switches.

2). Electrical load and Breaker size

The supply of electricity required for operating the electrical appliances determines the circuit’s electrical load.

Ex:15A breaker is sufficient for light fixtures & smaller appliances, but a higher-rated circuit breaker, possibly one with at least a 20A circuit rating will be required for larger appliances like a dishwasher or microwave. If the electrical demand is greater than the breaker can withstand, there cannot be sufficient power, and any problems will be apparent.

3). Power surges result in malfunctions

These are voltage peaks brought on by surrounding static electricity or lightning that may even run into difficulties if  utilise equipment that consumes considerably more current than the circuit can support. They take place in the span of a nanosecond and harm breakers.

However, the majority of tiny circuit breakers are unable to withstand this surge. So must employ a specialised surge protector, which has its own breaker, in order to protect electrical equipment from these surges.

4). Ground faults

Houses and conduit systems in factories and other industrial structures both frequently use grounded wires. They happen when wires make into contact with objects like metal (or) another ground wire. They represent a specific risk in wet areas like restrooms and kitchens.

5). Short Circuit

Because of the immense amount of the current, a short circuit will be created if it flows through a path that is shorter. By tripping, the circuit breaker accomplishes its function of protecting the electrical wires and equipment. However,it experiences damage during the process.

Circuit Breaker Trips: Appliance-Related Causes

If a circuit breaker continually tripping, the reason probably originates with the amount of electrical load being carried by that specific circuit.

A specific number of amps can be safely managed by the circuit breaker, which is an integral component of the circuit. In order to prevent damage to the electrical system, the circuit breaker will trip if the amount of amperage that can safely be drawn from the circuit is exceeded by the amount of electrical current that is being drawn by the appliances that are connected to the circuit.

Overheating of the circuit breaker is another potential consequence of an overloaded circuit.

The inclusion of a separate electrical circuit and/or a circuit breaker that is able to manage a higher current load is the solution to many of the technical problems that arise with circuit breakers. It is necessary for the circuit to be equipped with a higher amp rating.

Step-by-Step Guide: Testing a Faulty Circuit Breaker

A digital multimeter can be used to verify a fault breaker.

Follow the comprehensive steps below:

1). Determine which circuit is protected by the breaker

It’s necessary to determine which circuit the circuit breaker that just tripped is protecting. Determine the circuit that the breaker is protecting by inspecting the electric panel or the circuit breaker box for any labels or diagrams pertaining to the circuit breakers.

2). Disconnect each component from the circuit

Turn off the breaker & disconnect every device from the circuit for safety. This minimises the chance of an electric spike during testing.

3). Resetting the Circuit Breaker

After disconnected all of your devices, turn on (or) reset the circuit breaker. If cannot detect the click sound or if the breaker trips again right away, it is certainly working with a malfunctioning breaker. However, if it remains reset, need to monitor for a circuit overload (or) a short circuit.

4). Using a digital multimeter, check the breaker

A multimeter can be used to measure the current flowing through electric components. Connect the black wire to the COM port and the other end to neutral bar.

The red wire will pass through the port denoted by a “V” and a horseshoe sign (Ω).

Subsequently, measure and test the current & compare it to the breaker specifications. 

A single-pole breaker requires 120 V while a double-pole breaker requires 220-250 V on a voltmeter.

It’s not of great importance if the reading fluctuates to some extent. However, a significant differences signals caution.

DIY Electrical Troubleshooting: Resetting a Tripped Breaker

A tripped circuit breaker is the most typical circuit breaker malfunction. If a circuit breaker is functioning properly, it will automatically turn off electricity to any circuit that is using more power than it can handle in order to protect the house and electrical system.

The steps for resetting a circuit breaker are as follows:

• To restore the circuit, unplug (or) turn off any devices which are currently in operation.
• Open the seal on the main breaker panel after finding it.
• Locate the tripped breaker that will be situated differently from the other breakers. The breaker in problem will either be completely turned off or switched between the off and on positions.
• Switch the breaker to off position, which is the opposite direction from all the breakers that are on, and then switch it back on to restore electricity.
• If this doesn’t work to restart the circuit, try turning the switch on and off once more. If the power is still out, there can be a more significant electrical problem. To identify the problem, communicate with an experienced electrician.