Circuit breakers play an important role in protecting our homes from dangerous electrical overloads. However, they can go bad or fail despite their sturdy construction. Temperature extremes, excessive wear and tear, and aging can cause circuit breakers to fail.

Bad circuit breakers can cause serious problems and be a safety threat, so it’s important to know how to identify the signs of a faulty breaker and take appropriate action. Regular inspections and timely repairs can help you avoid electrical hazards and ensure the safety of your home.

What to Do if Your Breaker Isn’t Tripping

Circuit breakers are supposed to trip to prevent dangerous overloads. If you can move the switch back and forth without the switch being in the “Off” or “On” position, it is likely broken. If the breaker doesn’t trip, there may be more power than the circuit can handle.

If you see any sparks coming from the breaker, this is a situation that requires immediate attention from an electrician. Anything that is flammable should be removed from the area. As a precaution, it’s a good idea to keep anything flammable away from your breakers anyway.

Steps to Take if Your Breaker Constantly Trips

The label on the circuit box’s door should tell you which circuit the breaker corresponds to. Unplug all the devices that are using that circuit before resetting it.

Listen for a click when you reset the breaker. If you are still having difficulties with the breaker, the circuit is probably overloaded. Moving some of your devices to another circuit may resolve this issue.

Recognizing and Reacting to Burning Odors From Your Breaker

A burning odor or visible burn marks on a breaker indicate a more serious problem. When you smell or see these indicators, there have possibly been small electrical fires. Contacting an electrician as soon as possible is essential to prevent more serious damage.

Using your electrical system without having everything checked out may lead to property damage, injury, or death. This type of situation should be treated as an emergency.

How to Confirm a Faulty Breaker

A voltage tester can determine whether a breaker is receiving power. If the breaker has no voltage, it is a sign of breaker failure. When a breaker fails, it can lead to a range of other problems.

Retiring or replacing a breaker is not a DIY job. Electricians know how to repair everything safely. A professional will get everything back working quickly.

If you have electrical problems, it is important to go to someone with the right equipment and expertise. When you need electrical panel services, feel free to contact JD Ensz Electric, Inc. in Hesperia, CA.