Is Your Circuit Breaker Failing? Call Pol-Sky Electrical for Immediate Help
If you experience frequent trips, evident damage, heat, or a burnt smell near your circuit breakers or electrical panel box, call our experienced electrician before the situation escalates.
Your home’s circuit breaker must function safely and properly. Unfortunately, circuit breakers can fail for multiple reasons. Common causes of circuit breaker failure include improper resetting, short circuits, or overloaded circuits. Detecting a faulty breaker early can save you from costly repairs, as fixing it early is often more affordable. Circuit breakers are designed to prevent fires and electrical faults, so it’s important to know how to tell if a circuit breaker is bad. Call your trusted electrical contractor to prevent potential accidents.
Look for the Signs to Avoid Fatal Electrical Accidents
Steps to Check a Bad Circuit Breaker
Here are some steps you can take to check if your circuit breaker is bad:
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- Identify the circuit that the particular breaker is protecting.
- Open your electrical panel box.
- Find the label for the house circuit breaker that isn’t functioning properly.
- Ensure the label accurately matches the correct circuit.
- Turn off the breaker.
- Unplug all electrical devices connected to that circuit breaker.
- Reset the circuit breaker.
- If the breaker trips again, it means a short circuit or overload.
- Replace the broken circuit breaker.
- Use a multimeter to check the total voltage capacity of the circuit breaker. If the voltage reading is zero, it’s time to urgently replace the affected breaker.
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Why Your Home Circuit Breaker Is So Important
A circuit breaker controls your home’s entire power supply, managing everything from appliances to light fixtures. Understanding how a breaker functions and how to change it is essential to avoid catastrophic accidents in your home. Your fail-safe systems must always work correctly; if a faulty breaker can’t perform its duty, it should be immediately replaced. Wondering, “Can a circuit breaker fail without tripping?” The answer is yes. If it doesn’t trip after being reset, it typically indicates an overloaded circuit. Moving plugs to other circuits and resetting the breaker might help. However, if the breaker trips again, it’s likely a bad breaker or a short circuit.
Common Bad Circuit Breaker Symptoms
Look out for these symptoms of a bad circuit breaker. If you experience any of them, it’s time to contact an experienced electrician to replace or fix the faulty breaker.
Doesn’t Stay in “Reset”
If your breaker is short-circuiting, you’ll need a professional electrician to check your electrical panel and house circuit breaker. It’s important for your electrician to thoroughly inspect the unit and wiring to avoid serious electrical issues. Experienced professionals can often tell if a breaker is bad just by looking at the signs.
Smell
If you notice a burning smell coming from your circuit breakers, it indicates a problem. Shut off the main power to the house immediately and call an electrician for emergency service. A burnt smell is a clear sign that your breaker needs attention to avoid the risk of fire.
Hot Temperature
If your electrical panel box or house circuit breaker is hot to the touch, call a professional electrician right away. Turn off the power supply to your house. If your dimmer switch is also hot, check the wattage to ensure it isn’t overloaded. Overloaded circuits generate heat, which is one of the symptoms of a bad breaker.
Visibly Damaged
Evident marks near appliances, outlets, or the electrical box indicate that a wire may have melted, creating a fire risk. If you notice this, shut off the power to your house immediately and call your electrician. They can use thermal imaging or infrared cameras to pinpoint the source of the heat and prevent further damage.
Frequent Trips
If your breaker trips frequently, it may be a sign of a bad circuit breaker. It could also indicate bad circuitry. Contact your electrician to diagnose the exact problem and ensure your safety.
Long-Time Use
Older circuit breakers are more prone to faults and need to be replaced. If your circuit breakers or your house are very old, consider upgrading them. An experienced electrician can diagnose the age and condition of your circuit breakers and replace them to avoid electrical hazards.
Hire a Professional Electrician
If you’re dealing with a bad circuit breaker, call an experienced electrician from Pol-Sky Electrical. We’ll replace your faulty circuit breaker and ensure that your home is safe and secure. Pol-Sky Electrical provides expert electrical services in the following areas:
Call us today for emergency services or to schedule a consultation.