An arc fault breaker is responsible for protecting your home from the dangers of faulty connections. Also known as an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI), this breaker is supposed to prevent sparking and arcing by switching off the electrical supply whenever a problem is detected. If your arc fault breaker isn’t working right, it’s important to get it repaired or replaced. Otherwise, the faulty breaker could increase the chances of a fire.
What Causes an Arc Fault Breaker To Trip?
There are many reasons why an arc fault breaker might trip. These breakers are different from standard circuit breakers because they detect arcing instead of short circuits and excess electricity. Often, arc fault breakers will trip because of overloaded circuits, moisture, wear, damage, bad connections, appliance issues, or poor insulation.
Wear and Tear
When electrical systems start to age, they break down. Wires are particularly vulnerable to corrosion. If the old wiring becomes brittle, it will crack and let voltage leak out. In turn, this causes the arc fault breaker to trip.
Overloaded Circuits
An overloaded circuit can cause the AFCI to trip as well. This can happen if you are using an exceptionally large device on a circuit that isn’t designed to withstand it. Once the circuit is overloaded, it will trip. To fix this problem, you should make sure that you’re only using devices that the circuit is rated for.
Faulty Insulation
Sometimes, the circuit’s insulation will become damaged. While this can happen because of other causes, it is often due to a rodent. After the insulation is damaged, it can cause the arc fault breaker to trip.
Incompatible Devices
One of the most common reasons why an arc fault breaker trips is appliance incompatibility. Devices that consume a lot of energy, like microwaves and treadmills, can create arc patterns that look dangerous to the breaker.
Bad Connections
When the wires, insulation, and conductors become damaged or loose, it can trip the breaker. Sometimes, wires become loose because they were installed incorrectly. If there is a poor connection, it can also lead to overheating. Other than causing a fire risk, this overheating can also trip the breaker.
Moisture
The presence of mold or moisture can cause a short circuit. As a result, the breaker will trip.
Faulty Breakers
Fortunately, AFCIs don’t malfunction very often. However, a faulty AFCI can become frequently tripped. This is more common in older breakers, so you may want to get your system inspected to see if a replacement is necessary.
How To Prevent Tripped Arc Fault Breakers
When an arc fault breaker gets tripped frequently, it indicates that there is an underlying issue. To avoid electrical fires and electrocutions, it is important to take a few preventative steps.
1. Remove Water Sources and Mold
Mold and moisture can trip arc fault breakers. These problems can also cause damage to your home’s building materials. To prevent lasting damage, you need to remove the water source and fix any of the existing damage.
2. Evaluate Your Electricity Usage
Take a look at your home. If you have a lot of power strips and extension cords, you may be pulling too much power at once. Likewise, you might be tripping the breaker by having too many large appliances on a single outlet.
To troubleshoot this issue, start by moving large appliances to different outlets. If you simply need more power than your home is designed to supply, it may be time to call an electrician for an update to your electrical system.
3. Unplug Everything
Sometimes, a single appliance will cause a breaker to trip. You can troubleshoot this potential cause by unplugging everything. Then, plug one appliance back in at a time and see if the breaker gets tripped.
4. Replace the Breaker
If nothing seems to help, the AFCI may be the problem. Old or faulty breakers get tripped more often than new ones. When this occurs, it means that it is time for a replacement. To ensure the new breaker is correctly installed, you should get your replacement done by a professional electrician from Mister Sparky.
Learn More About Your Electrical Maintenance and Repair Options
At Mister Sparky, our goal is to provide Pompano Beach’s best electrical services. If your arc fault breaker keeps tripping, there is likely something wrong with your electrical wiring or breaker. One of our experienced electricians can inspect your arc fault breaker, determine the underlying cause, and discuss the best repair options for your situation. To learn more about how we can help, reach out to one of our team members today.