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Whether you’re in the middle of making dinner, finishing some important work on your home computer, or trying to catch up on your favorite TV show, a sudden power outage is annoying and stressful. The most likely culprit is a tripped circuit breaker, and although it’s easy enough to reset, it’s important to get to the underlying cause, especially if power outages are common in your home. Below, the experienced electrical contractors at Service First Electrical and Plumbing in Texarkana, AR, list some of the top reasons for tripped breakers.

3 Common Causes of Tripped Circuit Breakers

1. Circuit Overload

Overloads are the most frequent source of a breaker trip, and they result from using too much power all at once. These breakers are in place to protect your electrical circuits from overheating when they exceed the maximum amperage. A tripped breaker can occur after you’ve added a new appliance or electrical device, such as a space heater, to a circuit. You can try to redistribute your appliances so that single circuits aren’t overloaded. If you can’t figure out the source of the overload on your own, call an electrical contractor to locate the issue.

electrician-Texarkana-Arkansas2. Ground Fault 

When a hot wire comes into contact with your grounding wire, a ground fault occurs. When this happens, a high current is allowed to travel to the circuit breaker, causing it to trip. This can be a dangerous situation, increasing the risk of shocks and electrical fires. Ground faults are typically a symptom of damaged electrical equipment and require professional service by an electrician. They should be taken care of right away with a call for emergency electrical service.

3. Short Circuit

In a short circuit, a hot (or active) wire makes contact with another hot or neutral wire inside an outlet. Like a ground fault, this causes high current and heat, tripping the breaker. One telltale sign is a burning smell or a black or brown discoloration near the outlet. If you notice these signs, do not reset the breaker yourself. Instead, call an electrical contractor as soon as possible.

If you’re experiencing an issue with your home’s electrical system, attempting to fix the problem yourself can be dangerous. Instead, call the experienced electricians at Service First Electrical and Plumbing for comprehensive troubleshooting and quality repairs. Their technicians have the knowledge and skills to fix your electrical problem quickly and safely. To request a service appointment in Texarkana, TX or AR, call (870) 775-1035 or visit their website.

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