A circuit breaker is installed in a switchboard in your home as a safety measure against electrical hazards. There is usually a main breaker switch as well as switches for plug pints, lights, a water heater and other electrical outlets according to their location in the home.
If your main circuit breaker or any of the other switches on this board keep tripping or turning off, it is a clear indication that an electrical fault exists somewhere in your home and that you need to contact an electrician as soon as possible to identify and resolve the problem.
3 Common reasons that the circuit breaker in your home keeps tripping include:
- Short Circuits
A short-circuit occurs when a live wire (a wire carrying an electrical current) comes into contact with other wires resulting in a short which will trip a circuit breaker. This normally happens when the electrical wiring in the home has deteriorated or become damaged and the plastic coating on the wires are no longer providing protection. A short-circuit is a hazard as it can cause electrical shocks or fires and it is imperative to locate the problem and have the wiring repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
- Home Appliances
The appliances in your home are a very common cause of circuit breakers tripping. Faulty wiring, contact with water or appliances that are old and damaged can result in a short-circuit or overload. If any of the switches on your circuit board trip directly after turning on an appliance, then the appliance is more than likely the problem. Have the appliance repaired or replace it. However, it could be the plug point or electrical socket that is supplying the electrical current that is faulty. Call an electrician to determine whether it is an appliance or the plug point that is faulty.
- Overloading
Every breaker in your home is designed to carry a specific load or amount of electrical current. When this load is exceeded, the circuit breaker will trip. Simply unplug some electronics, appliances or other electrical devices that are using the same circuit and this should resolve the problem. The limits on each breaker is a safety feature and overloading can cause significant problems. Contact an electrician if a circuit breaker is overloading after the installation of a new appliance or where unplugging electrical devices is not an option to resolve the issue to install and additional breaker to help carry the load.