A protective device with an on/off switch is known as a circuit breaker. Its function is to restrict the flow of an excessive amount of electrical current into electrical equipment. Do you observe that the lights in residential buildings occasionally go out owing to tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses? It is the result of electrical network problems. We have compiled a list of causes of circuit breaker tripping for electrical experts, electricians, and homeowners. Also, ensure to buy only reputed circuit breakers such as the Chint Residual Current Circuit Breaker.

What is causing my circuit breaker to trip?

The sole purpose of a circuit breaker is to protect you and your home from electrical danger. 

These devices draw a specified amount of electrical current. Residential circuit breakers are known as MCBs, and each MCB has a maximum allowable current rating before tripping.

However, when the current through this CB exceeds its rated value, it will trip for safety reasons.

We are aware that CB trips because of a high current value. However, what creates the high current? As stated previously, each electrical piece of equipment draws a specified amount of current under typical operating conditions. But if the item itself has an inherent problem, its current consumption will increase. This current is sufficient to trip the MCB.

What should a non-technical person do when their CB trips at home?

Turn off all gadgets and disconnect any electrical appliances that may be affected by the tripped circuit breaker.

Go to your electrical panel and look for CBs that are in the off position. A red or orange label may denote the travel status on the CB. Turn it on with care. If the breaker continues to trip when all loads are turned off and unplugged, the breaker should be replaced.

Turn on each gadget sequentially. If with all gadgets switched on, the circuit breaker does not trip again, everything is well. The device that tripped the circuit breaker will cause it to trip again. If a circuit breaker keeps tripping, you should contact an electrician to evaluate the faulty item, identify the problem, and determine how to fix it. For your own safety, you should call an electrician to replace the faulty circuit breaker.

What causes a circuit breaker to repeatedly trip?

Following are some causes that cause a circuit breaker to trip repeatedly:

Overloaded Terminals

The overloaded circuit in the electrical system is one of the leading causes of circuit breaker tripping. When a large number of loads are connected to a circuit, the circuit will attempt to draw an electrical load in excess of its rated value. This causes the circuit breaker to overheat, resulting in the breaker tripping. The circuit remains inoperable until the breaker lever is reset to the ON position.

Electrical Short Circuit

The electrical short circuit is another cause of the breaker tripping. In the electrical phenomenon that occurs when the positive and negative terminals contact without any resistance. This results in the free flow of power. In addition, a substantial quantity of current passes through a broker, resulting in tripping.

It is important to note how to determine whether the tripping is caused by a short circuit. The answer is straightforward and easy. If a circuit breaker repeatedly trips immediately after being reset. The trip results from a brief circuit.

Ground Fault

The ground fault is another cause of the circuit breaker tripping. A ground fault is a sort of short circuit that occurs when a hot wire contacts the earth or any other metal.

The ground fault causes the current flow to increase. Due to low resistance, the flow of current increaseS. It causes the circuit breaker to overheat, resulting in the circuit breaker tripping.

Some ground faults cannot be detected by a standard MCB. The GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) is superior for human safety since it can detect small milliamperes and trip before an electric shock occurs.

Arc Fault

When fluctuations or sparks occur at a location between two-wire connections. Arc faults arise. The AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupter) is advised when screws at a specific place become loose.

The circuit breaker is an Arc fault interpreter (AFCI ). It identifies the wiring problem in advance and trips to block the flow of huge amounts of current. Therefore, arc faults may occasionally cause the circuit breaker to trip.

Inadequate breaker

Occasionally, both the circuit and the loads are functional and in good shape. However, the breaker continues to trip at random. This is due to a faulty circuit breaker. As with every device, breakers have a lifespan and eventually degrade. The time has come to replace it.

This is all you must know about why current circuit breakers are imported for houses.