When you plug in your vacuum cleaner, does the TV go out? Maybe plugging in your phone charging cable made the whole outlet shut down. Likely, the arc fault circuit breaker has tripped. This can be more than a source of frustration. A tripped arc fault circuit breaker could be a sign of a serious electrical problem. How can you determine why your breaker is tripping?
What Is an Arc Fault Circuit Breaker?
An arc fault circuit breaker is also commonly referred to as an AFCI, which stands for an arc fault circuit interrupter. This is an electrical safety device that is responsible for detecting and responding to an electrical arc. An electrical arc is a hazardous situation that can often cause sparks and can lead to a fire.
Why Does an Arc Fault Breaker Trip?
When an arc fault breaker trips, it has detected an arc and shut off power to avoid sparks and a fire. A dangerous electrical arc can be caused by a variety of situations.
1. Excessive Energy Drain
While power strips give you the ability to plug six, eight, or more plugs into an outlet designed to accommodate only two, the outlet is not designed to handle a large amperage demand. When an outlet is overloaded and the necessary amperage has exceeded the outlet’s limit, the AFCI trips. This prevents overheating that ultimately could lead to a fire. If you consistently need more outlets than what your home has, a safe solution is to have an electrician add a new outlet.
2. Old Devices
Older electronics and appliances were not designed to function with today’s AFCI outlets. Specifically, they produce a different electrical arc. To avoid running into this problem in the future, upgrading to newer electronics and appliances may be necessary.
3. Faulty Devices
In addition to the age of the appliances and electronics, the condition of the devices may be a cause of a tripped AFCI. A common issue is a damaged electrical cord. Often, damaged cords create a spark when they are plugged into an outlet, and this creates a dangerous arc that trips the breaker.
4. Poor Connections
When the connection between the plug and the outlet is impaired, the AFCI may be tripped. A poor connection impacts the arc and causes overheating. The breaker is tripped to prevent a serious house fire.
5. Poor Wiring
In some cases, the cause of a tripped AFCI is the electrical wiring rather than devices connected to the outlet. A damaged electrical wire, such as one damaged by rodents that have taken up residence in your walls, could disrupt the electrical arc to the outlet. Wiring that is exposed or loose due to improper installation may also be a cause.
How to Troubleshoot a Tripped Arc Fault Breaker
Some of the causes of a tripped arc fault breaker can be addressed easily on your own, and others require the skilled services of a licensed electrician. You can narrow down the cause of your tripped breaker by unplugging all plugs and turning off the lights. Reset the breaker. Then, individually plug in one plug at a time. By doing so, you can determine which device may be causing the problem. If the devices individually do not trip the breaker, the problem could be related to overloading the outlet.
As you plug the cords into the outlet, inspect them carefully for fraying or damage. Ensure that each plug has a solid connection to the outlet and is not loose. In addition, ensure that each device plugged into the outlet is labeled as being AFCI compatible.
If you cannot determine why the breaker is tripping, you should contact an electrician as soon as possible to diagnose the problem. Electrical issues can have serious consequences, so you should not delay requesting service.
Schedule an Appointment with an Electrician Today
If you are having trouble with tripped breakers or other electrical issues, our professionals at Mister Sparky can help. Book electrical service with us today online or by phone.