When electricity stops flowing to a certain area of your home or a major appliance stops working out of nowhere, you may immediately think the worst. Maybe your refrigerator or HVAC system needs to be replaced, or you are dealing with a serious electrical issue that will cost a fortune to fix. In some cases, however, the problem is a tripped arc fault circuit breaker.
What Is an Arc Fault Circuit Breaker?
An arc fault circuit breaker, which is also called an arc fault circuit interrupter or AFCI, is an important safety feature. It turns a switch off if it detects a potentially hazardous electrical arc. By doing so, it can prevent large sparks and even a house fire.
Reasons Why an Arc Fault Breaker Trips
In some cases, an AFCI is simply doing its job. It has detected an electrical arc and responded appropriately to keep you and your home safe. However, there are other reasons why an arc fault breaker trips.
An Overheated Breaker
The breaker needs to have solid connections. If these connections are impaired, the breaker could overheat and trip. When the breaker is seriously overheated, it could cause a house fire.
An Overloaded Outlet
Electrical outlets can accommodate a limited amount of amperage. When they are overloaded by power strip, the circuit can easily get overloaded. If the AFCI trips, this is a sure sign that you have too many devices using the same outlet. The AFCI prevents the excessive demand from overheating the outlet. An easy solution to this problem is to hire an electrician to install an additional outlet.
Improper or Damaged Wiring
The electrical wiring often plays a role in the functionality of an arc fault circuit breaker. Wire damage can occur by rodents gnawing on them, accidentally impacting the wire during a home improvement project and other issues. In some cases, the wiring was installed improperly. It may be exposed or loose.
Faulty Electronics and Appliances
Any of the electronics or appliances plugged into an outlet could be the cause of a tripped breaker. For example, if your vacuum cleaner’s cord is damaged, the spark that occurs when the plug is plugged in can trip the circuit.
Older Electronics and Appliances
In addition to faulty electronics and appliances being problematic, older equipment can also be a cause of a tripped breaker. Older electronics and appliances generate a specific arc pattern that your modern AFCI breaker cannot accommodate.
Troubleshooting Your Tripped AFCI Breaker
Depending on the cause of your tripped breaker, you may need to schedule electrical service right away. To better determine the cause of the tripped AFCI breaker, you should first unplug all of the cords from the outlet. Turn the hard-wired lights off. Then, reset the breaker. If the problem persists, it may be related to the outlet or wiring. On the other hand, if the problem is resolved, the issue may stem from a problem with the appliances and electronics or with overloading the outlet.
Inspect each cord thoroughly. Plug the cords in separately to determine if a specific device is causing the problem. You should also ensure that your devices are AFCI compatible and that the prongs are completely plugged in.
After you determine the cause of the situation, you can better determine what action needs to be taken. For example, you may simply need to use a device on a different outlet. You may need to upgrade an old appliance. An electrician may be needed to install a new outlet, repair an outlet or rewire the feature. If you cannot detect the cause, an electrician can diagnose the problem.
Book Electrical Service Today
If you need help with your arc fault breaker, schedule an appointment with Mister Sparky today. While some tripped breakers are an inconvenience, others are a potential safety and fire hazard and require an urgent remedy. Book your appointment with us by phone or online today.