If you’ve ever worked with us before, then you know that we take the comfort of our clients very seriously. That is why we offer such a wide range of HVAC systems and services. However, we also take your safety seriously. That is why we strongly suggest that you leave any electrical services in Springfield, VT, to the pros on our team. Electricity is an incredible resource, but it can be dangerous if not properly used in and distributed throughout your home.
One sign that something might be wrong with your electrical system in a broad sense is the need for frequent trips to the breaker panel. If you find yourself going down to the basement or into the utility closet to reset breakers with increasing regularity, then now is the time to act. It may be an issue with a very simple fix right now, but it could devolve into a more complex—and potentially dangerous—situation if you give it enough time.
What the Circuit Breaker Does
Some homes still have fuse boxes, and this information is mostly appropriate for issues with blown fuses, too. Because modern breaker boxes have largely replaced fuse boxes, that’s the language we’ll use. The main difference between the two is simply that, whereas fuses blow out and need replacing, circuit breakers are reset with the flip of a switch.
The electrical panel in your home is responsible for distributing electricity, as needed, to all of the different circuits in your electrical system. If a breaker trips, that means that it interrupted that circuit to prevent an overload. It protects your wiring, your appliances, and your safety. Resetting the breaker re-completes the circuit and, with the surge gone, keeps electricity flowing. Usually.
Reasons Breakers Keep Tripping
You can count on resetting breakers from time to time. If you wouldn’t have to, then you wouldn’t need a circuit breaker. So why might you be running into frequently tripped breakers?
- Basic circuit overloads. This is probably the most common reason that this situation develops. It’s also the easiest to resolve. If you have too many appliances and devices running on a single circuit, it is overloaded and will trip. Give major appliances their own circuit, and redistribute others and various devices to different outlets as needed.
- Short circuits. Should your hot electrical wire come in contact with your neutral wire, resistance is suddenly reduced and electricity flows at a much higher rate than is standard or safe. This could also happen if a wiring problem exists in an appliance itself. If the circuit trips again right after resetting it, a short circuit is likely.
- Ground faults. A ground fault occurs if the hot wire touches a ground wire or a metal wall box. In areas where moisture is normal, like bathrooms or on decks, outlets should be equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters. This nips the problem in the bud, at the wall box, rather than allowing it to cause tripped breakers. These faults can be dangerous, so if you’re tripping breakers and don’t have GFCI outlets installed, that’s definitely a service to schedule.
Contact us for your electrical service needs. HB Energy delivers peace of mind!
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