When you run into problems with your electrical system, it can have fatal results. The risk of fire is a serious one when talking about electrical issues that aren’t being addressed. One common electrical problem for homeowners is an overloaded circuit. One of the good things that should be happening when a circuit is overloaded, is the breaker should trip. This is an important safety measure in place to avoid an electrical fire. However, there are still inherent dangers that come from overloading a circuit. Neary Tech is here to talk about what some of these dangers might look like.
How Can You Tell if a Circuit is Overloaded?
When homeowners place too much electrical demand on any circuits in their house, it can pose a problem. Overloaded circuits happen most often when homeowners attempt to use two appliances that are plugged into the same circuit. Things like a toaster and a microwave being used at the same time will most definitely overload any circuit. In fact, most microwaves are on their own circuit because of the amount of power it takes to make them work.
What are the Risks of Overloaded Circuits?
Most of the time, homeowners will experience a loss of power when they overload a circuit and trip the breaker. However, there are some serious dangers that can happen when the breaker doesn’t trip and the circuit is overloaded.
– Fired
– Fried wiring
– Electrocution
– Destroyed electronics
Signs of an Overloaded Circuit
Aside from the breaker getting tripped, there are some other signs that might be present when there is a circuit that is overloaded. Watch for these signs:
– Any buzzing near switches or outlets
– Flickering or dimming lights
– Dimming lights that you notice when you turn on a device
Upgrade a Circuit Breaker to Resolve Overloaded Circuits
As far as overloading circuits goes, you should be aware of it as a homeowner. You should never plug in and use multiple appliances on the same circuit. Avoid using power strips as permanent fixtures in your home. This can help you avoid electrical issues in the future. However, there are some times that an overloaded circuit is happening because you need to have your circuit breaker updated. Many homes that were built decades ago weren’t built to handle the electrical demands of today’s world. It is always a good idea to have your home’s electrical system inspected when you move into an older home. There might be some adjustments that need to be made to make sure it is up to code and can handle the electrical demands of your home.
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If you have a circuit breaker that is constantly tripping, it is a sign that you need to do some upgrading in your circuit breaker box. You can turn to Neary Tech to help you out. We will make sure your circuit breaker box is ready for whatever electrical demands you throw at it. Call us today!
