Why Is My Arc Fault Breaker Tripping?
Arc fault breakers are important electrical safety devices that are designed to supplement the standard circuit breakers in your electrical panel. Also known as arc fault circuit interrupters or AFCIs, these devices are required safety equipment in all new residential construction. Arc fault breakers can prevent some fires that could pose threats to you and your family. Frequent trips of your arc fault breaker, however, could indicate issues that must be resolved to ensure your safety and the functionality of your electrical devices. It might be time to replace your Circuit Breaker if your AFCI’s continue to cause problems.
How Does an Arc Fault Breaker Work?
Your arc fault breaker operates by detecting the frequency at which electrical current is alternating inside the circuit. By detecting high-risk frequencies of around 100 kHz, these devices can shut down the flow of electricity to prevent arcing and to reduce the chance of electrical fires. AFCI breakers can protect against a variety of arcing types, including short circuits, overloads, series, ground and parallel arc faults. Making sure that your home includes these valuable safety devices can provide you with added protection against fires and other threats caused by electrical faults.
What Causes Trips in Arc Fault Breakers?
Frequent trips of your arc fault breaker can be caused by a few different factors:
- Incompatible devices can put an unexpected strain on your electrical systems and circuits. Older appliances are especially likely to create arc patterns that will register as dangerous for modern AFCI breakers. Replacing these devices and appliances can reduce issues with breaker trips while providing better protection against electrical fires in your home.
- Damaged wiring is another common reason for arc fault breakers to trip. This wiring could be anywhere in the circuit.
- Overloading of the circuit with too many devices will often trigger the tripping mechanism of your arc fault breaker. Moving some devices to a different circuit can sometimes resolve these issues effectively.
- Malfunctioning devices can also create power fluctuations in your circuit that can cause your breaker to trip. Removing these devices from the circuit can typically reduce the frequency of breaker trips.
- A failing breaker may also trip much more frequently. Arc fault breakers can break down over time and require replacement to continue providing reliable protection without repeated faults.
Contacting a professional electrician to determine the cause of these issues can often allow you to enjoy greater peace of mind about the condition of your wiring and the safety of your residence.
What to Do About Frequent Arc Fault Breaker Trips
Calling a trusted electrician is the safest and most practical solution for most electrical issues.
There are a few troubleshooting techniques you can try at home to determine the underlying cause of the problem:
- Unplug everything: Removing all the devices that are plugged into the circuit is a good first step toward resolving frequent trips of your breaker. This can remove all external load from the circuit breaker. If you have no further trips after resetting your breaker, you can narrow down the potential cause of the frequent faults.
- Connect devices one at a time: If your breaker is functioning properly with no load, you can reconnect your electrical devices one at a time and check to make sure they have not tripped the breaker. This may help you determine which of your devices is creating the problem.
- Check for overloads: Connecting too many devices to a single circuit can cause an overload that can trigger a fault in your breaker. By reducing the number of devices connected to a single arc fault breaker, you can lower the chance of breaker trips that can be annoying and inconvenient.
- Examine visible wiring: While you should call a qualified electrician to check wiring inside your walls, you can visually inspect wiring for your appliances. Frayed or damaged electrical cables can trip breakers and may pose a risk of fire inside your home.
- Replace your arc fault breaker: If you continue to experience frequent tripping of your breaker, it is time to call in the professionals to replace your AFCI. This can allow you to enjoy reliable power to the devices and appliances you use on a daily basis.
For most people, working with a company that offers professional electrical services can take the stress out of repairs and upgrades. A qualified electrician can pinpoint the problem and resolve it to create a safer and more functional environment for you and your family.
Why Professional Electrical Services Are Important
A professional electrician has the training and the know-how needed to repair or replace wiring and electrical components safely. Your electrician has the right tools to diagnose issues accurately and to provide you with prompt and effective solutions for your electrical problems. By choosing a reputable company, you can be sure that your electrician is insured and bonded. This ensures that you and your family are financially protected if an injury or accident should occur on your property. By entrusting your electrical system to a professional, you can enjoy greater peace of mind now and in the future. Learn the difference between a circuit breaker and a fuse box.
If you need electrical services in Florida, the skilled and knowledgeable electricians at Mister Sparky are here to help. We arrive on time and keep you informed throughout the process of diagnosing and repairing your problem. To learn more about arc circuit breakers and the other services we offer at Mister Sparky, contact us today.