Circuit Breakers -- Tripping Breakers

Serving the Towns of Naperville, Aurora, Montgomery, Oswego & Plainfield & the Greater Kane, DuPage & Will Counties

To the untrained, electricity and wiring problems can be tough to deal with. If you ever hear any odd sounds coming from your breaker box or experience any unusual flickering lights or power surges, then you know it’s time to call Lewis Electric & Contracting.

It’s not uncommon for circuit breakers to have issues every now and again. It’s important that you, as a homeowner, know what they are and how to appropriately deal with them.

Common Circuit Breaker Problems:

Short Circuit: If you are finding that your breaker is tripping frequently, then it’s probably because of a short circuit. This happens when an electrical current gets overloaded. While tripped breakers are typically easy to remedy – just flip the switch back on – their constant occurrence can be annoying. In addition, it could lead to more problems down the line. Short circuits typically mean there’s something wrong with the electrical wiring, and that’s not something you want to leave unchecked.
Miswiring: Perhaps the most common problem we encounter, miswiring will cause the circuit to breakdown and improperly shut down your electrical system. Miswiring can also lead to electric shock. Though not critical, it can be harmful to family members that may be using electrical home appliances. In addition, miswiring can damage appliances, switches, and other devices, cutting their lifespan short.
Circuit Overload & Tripped Breaker: We put these two together because when a breaker trips it’s usually due to a circuit overload. You have probably experienced this before – when too many appliances are plugged in to one outlet and the power goes out. The breaker trips because it has to stop the circuit from being overloaded and protect the electrical system in your home.

Some circuit breaker problems are more serious than others, but when it comes to electricity, you don’t want to leave it to chance. If you ever think you have a circuit breaker problem you need checked out, don’t hesitate to call in an expert from Lewis Electric & Contracting.