What Is a Circuit Overload?
A circuit overload occurs when devices attempt to draw more power than the electrical wiring was meant to handle. When this happens, it will trip the circuit breaker and shut down all power to the area. Without breakers, electrical wires could melt or even start a fire. Each circuit has its own load rating, which is the measure of how much power the breaker is capable of handling before tripping.
Symptoms
All homeowners should be aware of the common signs and symptoms of electrical circuit overload. These should all be considered as signs of a potential problem and addressed immediately to keep families safe. Here are some of the common red flags to watch for:
- Dimming lights
- Electronics not getting enough power
- Buzzing outlets and light switches
- Outlets that are warm to the touch
- Burning smell from outlets and switches
- Scorch marks on outlets and light switch covers
If you have started to notice the harbingers of electrical circuit overload, contact a trusted circuit breaker repair technician to inspect the situation thoroughly.
Solutions
There are several different solutions to an electrical circuit overload, each with various degrees of efficacy. One option is to upgrade the home’s electrical system to handle the required loads. This is the most radical solution but is also the one that’s most likely to fix the situation long-term. Two short-term solutions include not using all of the appliances at the same time and spreading the appliances apart, so they aren’t all on the same circuit. Another temporary solution involves running an extension cord from a different circuit, but this creates a tripping risk and is not a viable long-term solution.
If your family is struggling with a suspected case of electrical circuit overload, contact the professionals at Anson Electric. Our years of experience have taught us what you need to know about electrical circuit overloads and how to prevent them from impacting your family.
