The circuit breakers in your home help you harness and use its electricity effectively and safely. However, a faulty breaker can lead to hazardous conditions as potentially devastating as any electrical problem. Your ability to recognize a defective breaker allows you to get professional electrical help before you experience a fire or power surge. Use the following guide to learn more about malfunctioning breakers and how to tell if a breaker needs to be replaced or upgraded.
Before learning how to tell if a breaker is bad, it's essential to understand how circuit breakers play in your home. A breaker is an electrical switch that controls the flow of electricity to outlets and light fixtures. Each breaker controls energy flow to specific rooms, outlets, and switches. Some appliances, such as air conditioners, have their breakers.
When you recognize the signs of an electrical problem, you'll know how to tell if a breaker needs replacing. On that note, some often-seen symptoms of a faulty circuit breaker include the following:
Overheating
Most of your senses get involved when learning to tell if a breaker is bad. For instance, your electrical panel should feel cool to the touch. If a breaker or the panel feels warm, a short circuit is likely releasing energy. And enough of that energy can generate immense heat, potentially causing a fire. Prevent an electrical fire by contacting an electrician when you feel any heat around your electrical panel.
Physical Damage or Burning Smells
In addition to touch, your senses of sight and smell can help you spot a defective breaker. It's a good idea to inspect your home's electrical panel regularly. Catching sight of any physical damage, such as a crack, often indicates a wiring problem or a bad breaker, so switch the breaker off and contact an electrician as soon as possible.
Overheating can also cause a breaker to burn or melt. You might notice a burning odor even if you don't see scorch marks or charring around the breaker or panel. Turn the panel's power off and call in the team at Brandon Electric for immediate service.
Buzzing or Humming Sounds
Keeping your ears open for any unusual sounds can also help you tell if a breaker needs to be replaced. Exposed wiring vibrates as electricity runs through it, producing a hum or soft buzzing sound. Since these noises result from wiring shorts, prompt repairs will help you avoid an electrical fire.
Frequent Tripping
While you can manually turn a breaker off and on, it can also turn itself off when you try to draw too much power from it at once. This safety feature, “tripping the breaker,” helps prevent surges and electrical arcs.
When your home uses more energy than its electrical panel can handle, the breakers trip to prevent overloading. However, breakers that frequently trip may have faults or wiring shorts. You might notice these problems when using a small appliance, such as a hairdryer, which causes power failures.
Breaker Won’t Stay Reset
Sometimes, a faulty breaker might trip right after being reset. In such a case, try unplugging everything connected to that breaker and resetting it. Check the electrical panel and look for physical damage if it still trips. An electrician can replace a damaged switch and find the cause of the problem.
Flickering Lights or Appliances
A flickering light or an appliance that operates intermittently indicates an electrical problem. Most of the time, the light fixture or appliance in question has a short.
However, if multiple lights flicker or several appliances always seem to experience power reductions, your breaker might be the cause. A loose breaker or exposed wire can lead to arcs. And as the electricity jumps to another conductive surface, there's a brief disruption in the energy flow.
Visible Sparks or Arcing
An electrical arc or sparks pose serious safety hazards. Not only can they electrocute anyone near the panel, but they can also ignite any combustible materials in the vicinity. To keep your family and home safe, if you catch sight of any sparks, turn off the main power in your home. If you can't safely do so, vacate the home. In either case, call Brandon Electric to conduct emergency service.
Age of the Breaker
A circuit breaker can successfully trip up to 50 times within a 25-40 year lifespan. If you last updated your electrical panel at least 25 years ago, look for other signs of faulty breakers. It may be soon that you'll have to replace one or more breakers.
Difficulty in Switching On/Off
Take notice of a breaker that feels stiff or requires strength to move. A variety of factors can make a breaker switch hard to move. Age is one factor, as are things like degraded insulation, moisture damage, wiring shorts, and extreme heat. Inspecting and replacing the switch will help prevent more problems and keep your home safe.
Inconsistent Power Supply
It's common to blame the utility provider for brief dips in power. But if your computer suddenly shuts off or your dishwasher briefly stops during a cycle, a bad breaker might be the cause. An electrical inspection can help determine whether you have a faulty breaker or another electrical problem.
When you suspect that you have a faulty circuit breaker, it's always better to schedule a professional inspection. A Brandon Electric inspection can provide you with the following benefits:
Safety
Since you don't have the training and skills necessary to perform intricate electrical work, you're more likely to suffer a severe injury. A certified electrician knows how to handle things efficiently and safely.
Financial Savings
Electrical work without the proper training and equipment can also lead to costly mistakes. You might have to hire an electrician to fix your mistakes and provide the original repairs. You'll save time and money when you call an electrician first.
Quality Workmanship
A professional with years of experience has seen it all. They’ll know how to find problems you might miss and will perform their work correctly, ensuring they deliver long-lasting repairs you can rely on.
Durable Materials
Installing high-quality components is an essential part of electrical work. An electrician will use parts made from solid materials. They will also know which parts can withstand your home's energy usage.
It's always wise to pay attention to a bad breaker. Even if you only suspect a problem, having a professional check it out is always better. A breaker that's overheating or producing arcs creates a significant fire risk. In addition, an arc can shoot far enough to electrocute a nearby individual. An adult, child, or pet can suffer serious harm from an electrical charge.
Beyond the safety issues, a neglected breaker malfunction can cause significant damage. It can lead to surges that fry electronics. Even small, consistent surges can cause cumulative damage that shortens the device's lifetime. Surge protectors should be used to mitigate this risk, but they aren’t a substitute for addressing a faulty breaker. Always consult an electrician to ensure your electrical system is safe.
Several factors affect the lifetime of each breaker. The quality of the breaker, the number of electrical events, and overall wear and tear damage affect its condition. Any signs that you have a bad breaker, such as scorch marks, frequent tripping, and buzzing, should prompt you to call an electrician.
Here are a few more situations when you might want to replace one or more breakers:
If your electrical panel hasn't been updated in 25 years, it’s wise to schedule an electrical inspection as soon as possible. You should also update your panel whenever you add new appliances or electronics to your home, as any new equipment will change how your household uses energy.
Watch for changes in the performance of your electrical equipment. Light bulbs that frequently burn out, rising utility costs, and poor HVAC functioning can all indicate breaker problems.
A breaker that trips often suggests a problem in that circuit. Multiple breakers tripping regularly might tell you that your panel can't regulate the amount of energy you use in your home. In either scenario, an electrical inspection can help you diagnose the problem.
You might notice everything right with your breakers, but it still makes sense to update them. As technology changes and evolves, your energy needs will also change.
You should add new breakers or change how your existing breakers manage energy. Replacing old breakers can help you keep up with the demands of state-of-the-art technology, and a panel update can improve efficiency and safety at the same time.
Brandon Electric is dedicated to providing excellent electrical services to meet the community's safe and efficient energy usage needs. We can replace your faulty breakers or fix any electrical issue you're experiencing. Rely on our experience and skills to learn why we're a trusted name in the industry. Contact us to schedule service today.
