5 Appliances That Most Commonly Trip Circuit Breakers

Modern electrical systems are far superior to those used twenty years ago. In particular, the modern circuit breaker is much more sensitive than the older wire fuses. It can trip in a millisecond and potentially save a fire from starting.

Making sure your circuit breakers are working properly is one of the reasons why most people get a level 2 electrician to do an annual survey of their home. This ensures any issues are spotted early and can be rectified.

Overloaded circuits are one of the most common reasons for circuit breakers to trip. This simply means they are doing their job and there isn’t a fault in your electrics. But, it is your cue to reduce the load on a given circuit.

The maximum load on any circuit is defined in watts and will depend on the size of the circuit breaker. For example, 10 amp circuit breaker will support 1200 watts. Anything over this will cause the breaker to trip.

That’s why you need to be aware of the ratings of all your breakers and how many watts individual appliances use. Some will often trip a circuit breaker if you have anything else plugged into the same circuit.

1. Cookers

The average cooker and hob may need between 7,000 and 9,000 watts. That’s too much for a standard circuit. Of course, this amount of draw is only when all the parts of the oven and hob are turned on.

This is part of the reason why a cooker and a hob should have their own circuits and they need heavy duty wiring, to ensure it can handle the current.

2. Fans

As the temperature rises it’s normal to turn the fans on. Unfortunately, most fans run at one thousand watts. This means that several fans can easily push the limits of an electrical circuit and cause the circuit breakers to trip.

Be mindful of how many fans you are using and that they are not all plugged into the same circuit.

3. Extension Bocks

Extension blocks are one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment you can have in the home. They allow you to plug multiple items into one socket. This dramatically increases the risk that you will plug too many things in and trip the circuit.

It’s best to avoid extension blocks and plug all appliances directly into a socket.

4. Older Appliances

One of the biggest culprits is your refrigerator. Older appliances like this have a much higher draw, potentially maxing any circuit before you plug anything else in.

They are also more likely to have an electrical issue which can increase the risk of your breaking tripping or a fire starting.

5. Hair Styling Tools

Hair styling tools heat up quickly. But, to do this they need a high wattage. That means you can have styling tongs on and a hairdryer and potentially trip a circuit.

Of course, the fact that they are ht also increases the risk of starting a fire.

If you notice your breakers keep tripping check what is plugged into the circuits. It’s always a good idea to get a little help from a professional electrician.