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Knowing the causes of a tripped circuit is very important because while some of them are harmless, others could put your home at risk. Understanding the causes will ensure that you do not put your home or family members in danger.

There are a number of causes that can trigger a circuit breaker and the following are the most common ones:

Overloaded Circuits

This is the most common cause of a tripped circuit breaker, which is designed to trip whenever too much power is drawn. When that happens, it can cause overheating and lead to a fire or it can damage all of the electrical devices that are plugged into the circuit. When multiple appliances are plugged in, it can overload the circuit as can something that draws too much power, both of which will cause the breaker to trip. If you experience a tripped circuit, check to see what you have plugged in to determine if any of them are problematic. Vacuums, air conditioners, hairdryers and space heaters are known to be problematic.

Short Circuits

Whenever a hot or live wire comes in contact with a neutral wire somewhere in the circuit, a short circuit will occur. This generally happens at an outlet, light fixture or switch, and short circuits can be extremely dangerous because they can create massive amounts of heat. For this reason, short circuits are the most common cause of electrical fires.

Ground Fault Surges

This occurs when two wires cross when they are not supposed to, similar to short circuits. Whenever a hot or live wire makes contact with a ground wire or the edge of the box or any other grounded source, power will begin to flow through the system; however, it will be more powerful than the circuit can handle, which is why a ground fault surge will occur. A licensed electrician will have to help with this issue because if it is not handled correctly, it can lead to electrical fires and electrocution, both of which are extremely dangerous.

If you see that your breakers are switching often, it is best to contact an electrician because they can help resolve the issue safely and correctly. Electrical work can be very dangerous and only licensed and experienced electricians should handle the problem because they can complete the job properly and eliminate the risks that come with inexperienced individuals attempting to fix the problem.

Expert Electric Winnipeg can help with a number of issues, including home rewiring, surge protection, knob and tube assistance and much more. Whether you need a commercial electrician or residential one, our electrical contractors know how to do it all. If you want to work with a reliable, professional and experienced electrician, give us a call now!