Circuit breakers are an important electrical safety measure but these can experience a range of issues that prevent your electrical circuits from working correctly. So what are the most common circuit beaker problems? Well here at Walker Electrical, we are Preston’s leading electrical experts. As a result, we have produced this guide to everything you should know about circuit breakers, and the most common problems associated with these.
What is a circuit breaker?
A circuit breaker is the electrical box or control panel that supplies the power to your home. This uses sub-switches, called breakers that connect with specific areas of your house for electrical safety and control. In the event that there is a problem with one of the circuits, the circuit breakers can shit down the affected circuit and prevent any electrical damage or risks.
What are the most common circuit breaker problems?
There are a number of problems that can occur with circuit breakers. These include:
- Miswiring- one of the most common problems for circuit breakers is human error during installation. Miswiring or electrical wiring mistakes may cause an electrical device to not turn off properly and continue running even after the switch is shut off. And should any of the switches trip, it will be difficult to identify which circuit is actually the affected one. Another consequence of miswiring can be electric shock.
- Breaker size and electrical load- the electrical load of the circuit is determined by the amount of electricity needed to run the electrical appliances. For example, a 15 amp breaker is a suitable size for light fixtures and smaller appliances, but for larger appliances such as a dishwasher or microwave, a higher-rated circuit breaker, probably one that has at least a 20 to 30 amp circuit rating will be necessary. If the electrical load exceeds that of the breaker, there will not be enough power and faults will be obvious.
For more information or for any advice, professional installation or repair, get in touch with the experts today, here at Walker Electrical.