When a hot wire makes a connection with a neutral or ground wire, it creates an “arc” or hazardous sparking that can cause a house fire. Arc fault breakers are important safety mechanisms inside your electrical panel designed to interrupt this process by “tripping.”
However, your arc fault breaker may trip for other reasons, like plugging in incompatible appliances or too many electronics into one circuit. By understanding the common underlying reasons why your arc fault breaker may be tripping, you can determine whether it’s an easy fix or if it’s time to call in the professionals.
Common Reasons Your Arc Fault Breaker May Be Tripping
You’ve Plugged In Incompatible Devices
One of the most likely reasons your circuit breaker may be tripping is that you’ve plugged in an incompatible appliance or device that produced mechanical arc patterns, which your arc fault breaker considers dangerous. Some common culprits include printers, treadmills, vacuum cleaners, and fluorescent lighting. Older devices are more prone to these issues. So, if you inherited your grandparents’ space heater, chances are it may be incompatible with your circuit.
Your Appliance or Device Is Faulty
Sometimes, devices become faulty or damaged and are no longer safe to use, tripping the arc fault breaker. Make sure your device is fully plugged in, as partial contact can generate a spark that also trips the arc fault.
The Wiring Is Damaged or Faulty
Many people unknowingly damage the wires in their walls when hanging televisions or picture frames. Other potential causes for damaged wiring include mice or other kinds of rodents chewing through the wires. These issues can cause sparking and a tripped arc fault breaker. Additionally, if your wiring is loose or exposed or you have an improperly wired outlet, this may lead to ground faults and short circuits.
You’ve Overloaded Your Circuit
Your electrical wires are built to withstand a certain amount of current, but once you exceed that level, they become unsafe and a fire hazard. Overloaded circuits are a significant source for arc fault breaker trips. If you’ve plugged in a power tool on the same circuit your microwave, washer, and other major household appliances are plugged into, it’s often too much for that circuit to handle. If you need a higher current load, contact an electrician who may be able to add an additional circuit to help you separate your larger appliances.
There Is Mold or Dampness in the Area
Mold and moisture within electrical components can trigger short circuits that cause your arc fault breaker to trip. To prevent this, you must ensure that your electrical components in bathrooms, basements, and other areas prone to dampness are protected from moisture and well-insulated.
Damage to the Arc Fault Breaker Itself
While less common than some other causes, your breaker may have become damaged due to circuit overload and multiple resets. If your breaker is outdated, it may also not work correctly and trip more frequently.
Troubleshooting Your Arc Fault Breaker
Now that you are familiar with the more common causes of nuisance tripping, it’s time to troubleshoot. To identify the issue, take the following steps:
- Unplug everything – The first thing you must do is unplug every device connected to your receptacle. Turn your lights off afterward, and then check if the breaker continues to trip after you’ve reset it. If it doesn’t, then your issue is with either a faulty or incompatible appliance.
- Check each device – Another step you can take to determine which light or outlet may be tripping your arc fault breaker is to unplug and replug each device one at a time. As you do this, inspect each device’s cord for damage, fraying, or other issues.
- Reduce strain on your circuit – If you have too many devices plugged into one circuit, your best bet may be to reduce strain on it and find outlets on other circuits around your home to plug in these appliances.
After determining the issue causing your breaker to trip, you can decide if it’s an easy fix or if it’s best to call in an electrician. If you have inspected your appliances and electrical devices and determined your circuit isn’t overloaded, then your problem is likely a wiring issue. In this case, you should call a professional electrician who can assess your situation more closely.
Mister Sparky‘s licensed electricians can help you resolve your arc circuit breaker issues. Our highly trained professionals can protect your home against electrical dangers and uncover potential hazards to keep you and your family safe. Call Mister Sparky today and discover high-quality electrical system services you can count on in Fort Myers.