Appliances That Can Trip Your Circuit Breaker

16 Dec 2021 Electrical Safety

Have you ever turned a device on in your home only to have the circuit breaker trip seconds later? Due to the abundance of appliances that can trip your circuit breaker, this occurrence is more common than you may think. Tripped circuit breakers are especially common for older homes with old electrical panels and circuit breakers, as these units may be near the end of their usable life and require replacement by a professional. As leading providers of commercial and residential electrical services, the team at Expert Electric knows how inconvenient a tripped breaker can be. That is why they have compiled a list of appliances that typically trip breakers to help homeowners understand why this occurs.

Learn about some important winter electrical safety tips.

4 of the Most Common Causes for Tripped Circuit Breakers

The following devices and appliances are among the most common causes of tripped circuit breakers in a home:

1. Hair Dryers

Hair dryers, flat irons, and curling irons all produce a high amount of heat in a short period of time, resulting in significant power draw. GFCI’s are commonly found in bathrooms. A circuit can break at this specific outlet or at the breaker supplying the circuit, causing multiple outlets to lose power. Unplug any unused devices and limit the amount of power used in this circuit to minimize the chance of tripping your circuit.

2. Fans and Portable Air Conditioners

Homeowners may run multiple tower fans and ceiling fans at the same time during summer to stay cool. While a single fan will likely not cause a circuit breaker to trip, this combined power draw can significantly increase the chance of this occurring. Be sure to only use fans for rooms that currently have people in them.

3. Old Refrigerators

While refrigerators have become significantly more efficient in the last 20 years, these appliances are often built to last well over a decade. This means that many homes are using refrigerators that are over 20 years old, drawing an excessive amount of power compared to modern units. This power draw increases in hot weather as the refrigerator must work harder to keep the contents cool. If your home has a refrigerator that is 20+ years old and is constantly causing your breaker to trip, it may be time to replace it.

4. Vacuum Cleaners

Vacuum cleaners tend to utilize quite a significant amount of power and can overload a circuit easily if other devices are being used on the circuit at the same time. While vacuums are often the culprit for tripped breakers, it is worth testing your vacuum out in multiple areas of your home. If the vacuum only causes one breaker to trip, the problem may lie with your breaker and not the vacuum.

To learn more about their residential electrical services or to inquire about replacing circuit breakers in your home, get in touch with the team at Expert Electric. They can be reached by phone at 604-681-8338 or through their online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.