How to Troubleshoot a Faulty Circuit Breaker That’s Always Tripping

The average flat in Mumbai costs roughly ₹1 crore.

After the life accomplishment of procuring one, you can pat yourself on the
back, but you cannot take it easy.

There are still several issues to worry about.

Chief among them is electrical fire. If your building is an old one, chances are the circuitry has split casing and exposed copper wires, which cause short circuits that can result in your home burning
down when you’re away or asleep.

A Few Hours of Fire Can Undo a Lifetime’s Work

To the rescue comes the circuit breaker.

Circuit breakers are electromechanical “safety devices” that prevent your wires from overloading on current, overheating, and burning. When there is a larger-than-standard deviation in voltage or current, the circuit breaker trips i.e. shuts off power to the faulty circuit before a fire can develop.

However, sometimes, circuit breakers are observed to trip copiously, which can be a sign of an underlying problem that needs to be investigated.

You don’t want it to build into greater problems later. In this blog post, we will discuss how to troubleshoot a tripping circuit breaker.

Step 1: Identify the Circuit Breaker

The first step is to identify which circuit breaker is causing the problem.

These devices are located in the electrical panel box in your home and are called miniature circuit breakers (the ones outside your home, controlling the building’s circuits, are regular circuit breakers). Each miniature circuit breaker is labeled with the area of the home or appliance that it manages. If you’re not sure which breaker is causing the problem, start by turning off all the breakers and then turn them back on one by one, testing each one to see which one trip.

Step 2: Determine the Cause of the Tripping

Once you have identified the one causing the problem, it’s time to determine what is causing the miniature circuit breaker to trip.

Overloaded Circuit: An overloaded circuit occurs when too many electrical devices are running on the same circuit. This can cause the circuit to overheat and trip the breaker. To fix an overloaded circuit, unplug some devices and redistribute them to other circuits.

Short Circuit: A short circuit occurs when a hot wire comes into contact with a neutral wire, causing a sudden surge of electrical current. This can trip the breaker and even cause a fire. To fix a short circuit, locate the damaged or frayed wire and replace it.

Ground Fault: A ground fault occurs when a hot wire comes into contact with a ground wire or a metal object that is connected to the ground. This can cause a sudden surge of electrical current, which can trip the breaker. To fix a ground fault, locate the damaged or frayed wire and replace it.

Step 3: Reset the Miniature Circuit Breaker

Usually, there will be a faulty appliance or sparking electrical switch that is the cause of the problem. After you have identified and fixed the cause of the tripping, it’s time to reset the miniature circuit breaker. To reset it, turn it off and then back on. If it stays on, the problem has been resolved.

If it trips again, you may need to repeat steps 1 and 2.

Step 4: Call a Professional

If you have tried troubleshooting and fixing the problem on your own but the circuit breaker continues to trip, it may be time to call a professional electrician. An electrician can inspect the electrical system and identify any underlying issues that may be causing the problem. They can also make any necessary repairs to ensure that your electrical system is functioning safely and efficiently.

A tripping circuit breaker can be a frustrating and potentially dangerous problem. However, by following these simple steps, you can troubleshoot and fix the problem on your own or know when it’s time to call a professional. Remember, safety should always be your top priority when working with electricity.

Now that you know how to do it, we’ll offer you some general knowledge on the subject.

Conclusion

A tripping circuit breaker can be a frustrating problem to deal with, but it’s essential to address the issue promptly to prevent damage to your home’s electrical system. By following the troubleshooting and fixing tips we’ve provided, you can get your electrical system back up and running smoothly.

If you’re unsure about how to fix a tripping circuit breaker, it’s always best to call a licensed electrician to ensure your safety and avoid any potential electrical hazards. As a leading MCB manufacturing company in Mumbai, Precision Electricals, we supply miniature circuit breakers that rarely break down. You can immediately order them in bulk once you procure our contact information on the website.