Your electrical system is equipped with multiple safety mechanisms to keep you safe. The arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) is responsible for detecting electrical arcs. These dangerous arcs can cause sparks and fires if they aren’t caught and repaired early.
When an arc is detected, the AFCI shuts down. However, arc fault breakers are incredibly sensitive. For instance, plugging in too many appliances can trip the AFCI. To figure out why your arc fault circuit breaker keeps getting tripped, schedule an appointment with one of the electricians at Mister Sparky to get your electrical system checked out.
Stop an Arc Fault Breaker From Tripping
There are a few important steps you should take if your arc fault breaker keeps tripping all the time. It is essential to remember that arc fault breakers can trip when there is a major problem. You need to find the cause because it could be related to a faulty component. If you aren’t careful, you may end up dealing with electrical shocks, damage to your appliances, or a house fire.
- Narrow down the causes. Consider the situations that were happening right before the breaker tripped.
- Fix the underlying cause of the tripped breaker.
- Make sure you aren’t using an excessively high electrical load on the circuit.
- Call an electrician to arrange an inspection.
Unplug Every Appliance
To narrow down the causes, you should start by unplugging everything that is connected to the circuit. Turn off all of the lights. If this fixes the problem, then the cause is likely related to one of the appliances or outlets. You can try plugging in a single device at a time to see if any of them trip the breaker again.
Look for Faulty Devices or Frayed Wiring
If the devices don’t appear to be the issue, try looking for faulty components or frayed wiring. Look for broken cords and any signs of visible damage.
Reduce Your Electricity Consumption
Sometimes, the AFCI can get tripped if too many devices are plugged into the system. You may be able to troubleshoot the problem by plugging in fewer tools and devices on the same outlet. For example, you may want to plug your vacuum into a different area.
Determine the Next Step
Once you have found the underlying problem and made sure the system isn’t getting overloaded, the next step is to call a professional electrician. If you don’t know why the problem is happening, you need an electrician to determine the underlying cause. You don’t want to risk your family’s safety by letting a tripped breaker go unnoticed.
The Most Common Reasons Why an Arc Fault Breaker Keeps Tripping
Diagnosing tripped breakers can be challenging. While each situation is a little different, there are a few common reasons why a tripped arc fault breaker might occur.
- Overheated breaker
- Incompatible devices
- Damaged wiring
- Malfunctioning Devices
- Electrical overload
- Faulty wiring
Get Help With a Tripped Arc Fault Breaker
By calling an electrician, you can get your breaker panel checked out. The electrician will decide if you need your AFCI breaker replaced or if something else is the problem. More importantly, you can ensure your home and family are safe.
What Causes an Outlet to Buzz?
The alternating currents that deliver power to your outlets reverse polarity nearly 50 times per second. Usually, this changeover is silent, but if the current pattern is disturbed, it can create an electrical hum or buzzing noise. If you hear this sound, it’s important to find the source of the problem and get it fixed immediately so you don’t risk encountering more serious problems down the line. Below, we’ll discuss a few causes of noisy, buzzing outlets.
Mister Sparky
When you need a professional to help you with your outlets, think of us first. We’ve got the necessary experience, so give us a call to set up an appointment today.