Arc fault breakers or arc fault circuit interrupters are designed to protect your home from faulty electrical connections that can cause arcing or sparking. An arc fault breaker works much like a standard circuit breaker in that it will shut down a circuit when it overloads or detects arcing. Arc fault breakers are standard in all new construction, and they offer superior protection compared to standard circuit breakers. Unfortunately, they are also susceptible to tripping, which can be incredibly irritating. Here are some reasons why your arc fault breaker might keep tripping.
Reasons why Arc Fault Breaker is Tripping
Incompatible Devices
Most newer devices and appliances are perfectly compatible with arc fault breakers. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case for older appliances. If you have older vacuum cleaners, power tools, space heaters, treadmills, or other devices that seem to always trip your arc fault breaker, it might be time to replace them with something newer.
Damaged Devices
Newer devices can also cause problems with your arc fault breaker if they are faulty or damaged. A lamp with a damaged power cord is sometimes enough to trip the breaker.
If you have a device that always seems to cause your arc fault breaker to trip even though it’s fairly new, check its cord for damage. You should also make sure that you’re plugging it in all the way into a socket since a poor electrical connection can create a spark that can trip the breaker.
Damaged Wiring
Damaged wiring in general can cause your arc fault breaker to trip. Look for frayed wires, wires with damaged insulation, and any other wiring that doesn’t seem to be in good shape. If the wiring is part of a device, consider replacing the device. If the bad wiring is part of your home, contact an electrician to have it repaired.
An Overloaded Circuit
Like any circuit breaker, your arc fault breaker will trip when it is overloaded. If your breaker trips whenever you plug too many devices into an outlet, you’re overloading the circuit and should find some other outlets that you can use for some of your electronics and appliances.
Dampness and Mold
Too much dampness and mold can cause outlets to short circuit and trip an arc fault breaker. It’s the reason why so many outlets and appliances that cause these trips are found in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and other spaces that tend to be damp and humid.
A Damaged Arc Fault Breaker
Of course, sometimes arc fault breakers trip frequently because they are old and/or damaged themselves. They aren’t that different from standard circuit breakers in this regard. An electrician will be able to examine your breaker and tell you if it needs to be replaced.
What to Do When Your Arc Fault Breaker Trips
When your arc fault breaker trips, the best thing to do is to isolate the problem and find the cause. First, unplug everything that is using the circuit. After that, turn off all of your lights, and reset the breaker to see if it still trips. If the breaker doesn’t trip, your problem is a faulty appliance or an overloaded outlet. Plug in one device at a time to see if any of them cause the breaker to trip. Check for damaged cords in each device while you do this to help identify the problem.
In the best-case scenario, your breaker trips will have an obvious cause that can be easily avoided such as one incompatible device or having too many devices plugged into an outlet. If your breaker still trips frequently, you’ll need to contact an electrician to check out your breaker and your wiring.
Contact Mister Sparky for Assistance
Even though an arc fault breaker can be prone to tripping, you should never assume that frequent trips aren’t caused by other electrical issues. Contact Mister Sparky in Birmingham if you need any repairs or have any questions about your home’s wiring.