I’m Not Tripping, My Breaker Is: Appliance Tripping The Breaker in Flower Mound? Here's What We Know

Nothing is as frustrating as not being able to watch your favorite weekly T.V. show because your breaker keeps tripping. Appliances such as ovens, washing machines, and refrigerators are equipped with individual breakers to effectively manage high energy consumption. Circuits trip when they are overloaded and attempt to draw more power than their capacity allows. This issue can also affect your household appliances. Tripping breakers in Flower Mound can be a huge pain, especially when you’re in the middle of something important.

It is crucial to understand the reasons behind your circuit breaker tripping to identify the issue and avoid potentially hazardous situations such as a house fire. To ensure a thorough examination of your electrical panel, it is crucial to grasp the functioning of circuit breakers and the possible reasons for experiencing an appliance tripping the breaker in Flower Mound. During periods of uncertainty, it's crucial to rely on the expertise of appliance service professionals, who possess specialized knowledge in dealing with appliance breaker trips.

Our team of Flower Mound appliance repair professionals has put together this blog to help troubleshoot this issue. Let's look at why your appliance breaker may be tripping.

Why Is My Appliance Tripping The Breaker?

A tripped breaker is typically a sign that something within your circuits is not going right. As much of an annoyance as a tripped breaker in an appliance can cause, it can also turn into a safety hazard for you and your home. The reason behind your appliance breakers tripping is most likely due to an overloaded circuit, an overheating appliance, or a ground fault issue.

Addressing the issue of a tripping circuit breaker is crucial to ensure the prevention of electrical damage, injuries, or even a potential fire hazard. Let's take a look at some simple steps that can determine the source of the problem.

Down To The Wire: How Circuit Breakers Work

To understand the factors behind a tripped breaker, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the various kinds of wiring in your household. A breaker serves the purpose of disrupting or halting the circuit in case of any circuit malfunctions. The excessive consumption of electricity in a circuit has the potential to trigger a hazardous electrical fire.

There are three main types of wiring throughout your home:

• The hot wire: The wire serves as an essential conduit for electricity, effectively transmitting the flow of electricity from the power source to the designated load.
• The neutral wire: The wire is responsible for conveying the electricity back to the power source, thereby ensuring the completion of the circuit as it directs the current to the ground wire.
• And the ground wire: The purpose of the ground wire is to redirect excessive electricity from an electrical system and channel it safely into the earth. It will protect you and your equipment from electrical shocks and short circuits.
• Enough of your household appliance tripping the breaker! Now, let's take a look at the common causes of a tripped breaker in an appliance.

Appliance Tripped the Breaker: Common Causes

Overheating Appliance

When your appliance overheats, it could cause your breaker to trip. This is especially common with units that require high power, such as:

• Washers and dryers
• Microwaves
• Air conditioning units
• Dishwashers
• Fridges
• And ovens

When your appliances overheat, it could be caused by your hand. Overloading your dryer or running the dishwasher when it's not full can lead to an appliance tripping breaker. Flower Mound homeowners should also check to see if your appliance gets hot when it is in use. For example, you could have a vent blocked, a worn-out component, or there's an electrical shortage somewhere.

Here are some ways to fix an overheating appliance:

1. To ensure the optimal performance and longevity of your appliances, diligent cleaning is essential. Eliminate the build-up of dirt, dust, and grease on the coils and cables of stoves, refrigerators, and dryers. Utilize a coil brush or a vacuum to effectively clean the refrigerator's condenser coils and remove any debris.
2. Pay attention to the cords and electrical outlets. Avoid overloading outlets and extension cords beyond their capacity. Inspect the insulation around appliances to ensure electrical connections are secure. If you aren't using a particular appliance, consider unplugging them to prevent them from overheating.
3. It is crucial to closely monitor appliance condensers such as refrigerators, freezers, and dryers. Neglecting these condensers can result in overheating, which can potentially lead to even more serious issues.

Circuit Overload

When circuits draw more power than they were originally designed for, the circuit wires heat up. The circuit breaker will be activated, effectively halting the electrical current to avoid any potential complications or harm. If you are experiencing the following, it is likely due to an overloaded circuit breaker:

• Dim or flickering lights
• Buzzing sounds
• Burnt smells
• Warm wires

To resolve the issue at hand, it is advisable to begin by disconnecting a few of the appliances currently in use. This helps in determining the specific circuit that is experiencing an overload. Then, switch the tripped breaker off and then on. Carefully reconnect each of your appliances individually. If you detect any harm to the wall outlets or external wires, cease immediately without hesitation. The next step is to move devices to an alternate circuit. This will reduce the load on the overheated circuit.

Another solution to circuit overloads is by using energy-efficient appliances. By reducing power demand, these appliances effectively prevent overloaded circuits, ensuring that the electrical load remains within the circuit's capacity and minimizing the occurrence of circuit breaker trips. But that’s not the only reason why appliances trip a breaker.

Short Circuit

A short circuit occurs when there is a direct and unrestricted path of low resistance between two points in an electrical circuit, allowing an excessive amount of current to flow, which can potentially lead to damage to the components involved. In a power outlet, switch, or inside an appliance, a dangerous situation can arise when a live wire comes into contact with another live wire, neutral wire, or the ground. This can also occur if the wires themselves are damaged.

Short circuits will create a surge of electricity that can cause a breaker to trip. Power surges can pose a serious threat to our safety, potentially causing overheating, electrical fires, and damage to appliances and electrical systems. To address this issue, you can reset the breaker by unplugging all appliances and turning off switches on the circuit. By doing so, you can observe if the issue occurs immediately, which often points to a problem with the circuit or electrical system as a whole.

Grounded Fault

A ground fault is a dangerous short circuit when a live wire comes into contact with a grounded section of a switch box, appliance, or exposed ground wire. As a result, the breaker and ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets will be triggered, ensuring safety. Ground faults can arise from various causes, such as water leakage, wire impairment, or appliance damage.

Need A Hand With Appliance Tripping Breakers in Flower Mound? Rely On The Experts at Mr. Appliance for Quality Service!

Mr. Appliance of Flower Mound possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively address appliance malfunctions leading to breaker trips. Experienced with major appliance brands, our team has the right tools and expertise to expertly troubleshoot and resolve these issues. With the expertise of our service technicians, you can be assured that your appliances will operate smoothly and safely. Whether it's replacing faulty appliances or fixing faulty wiring issues, we have the skills to ensure optimal performance.

Experiencing an appliance tripping breaker in Flower Mound? Contact our excellent customer service representatives today to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience! We proudly serve the local community of Flower Mound and the nearby cities of Frisco, Denton, and Lewisville.