By admin
If a room in your home has suddenly lost power or the lights have turned off, one of the circuit breakers in your home has just tripped. Fiddling with a torch and a fuse box after your electricity has cut out is no one’s idea of fun. Whilst a fuse box can trip because of outside forces like the weather or a failure in the wider power grid, if this is a recurring issue it is likely there is something wrong with your fuse box.
If you’re experiencing frequent power outages in your home, it could be a sign of your fuse box tripping and needs to be inspected by a professional electrician. An electrical fault is one problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible in order to subdue any possible safety risk to your home. However, if you would like to understand what is wrong with your fuse box and identify the signs telling you it’s time to call in reinforcements, keep on reading.
An Overloaded Circuit
Every time you switch on a light or turn on the TV, this puts demand on electrical circuits, as that appliance is now asking for power. If too many devices are in use at once, the demand becomes too high and the fuse switch in your fuse box will blow, causing an overloaded circuit. Extension leads heavily contribute to the overloading of a circuit, especially, for example if a 6-gang extension plug has six devices plugged in and in use. If your electricity keeps tripping, try unplugging a few devices to see if this helps. Protection devices like surge protectors can help limit the damage caused by power surges by diverting the excess voltage to the ground.
Loose Connections
If the connections within the fuse box are loose, it’s a hazard to your electrical system. Loose connections create excessive resistance in the circuit, which causes the current to fluctuate and can trip the fuse. This resistance generates heat, which can cause the fuse to melt and break the circuit. Worse still, the loose connection may not even make proper contact with the fuse, meaning the fuse won’t work when it needs to.
Faulty Appliances
Faulty electrical appliances are almost guaranteed to mess with the flow of electricity through your home and also act as a safety risk. If an appliance or device is malfunctioning, it can cause a high current flow and trip the fuse. If an appliance has exposed wiring, or sparks when plugged in, dispose of it or have it checked by an electrician. One faulty appliance can not only trip your electricity, but it can start a fire or electrocute an unlucky user. Although it may be tempting, never try to DIY any electrical repairs, instead, enlist an electrician. Incorrect wiring can lead to further problems, making the appliance even more dangerous to use. Once the appliance in question has been professionally fixed and tested, your home’s electrical system may be returned to normal.
Short Circuits
When a short circuit occurs, it causes too much current to flow, melting the fuse and breaking the circuit. This can be caused by damaged insulation or contact with a grounded surface. The fuse is there to protect the circuit and devices, and trips when the current reaches a level that is too high, cutting off the power before any damage can happen.
Wiring Issues
Not only can worn or damaged wiring lead to a decreased electrical capacity and increased risk of electrical fires, but it can also cause a fuse to trip due to a variety of reasons, such as insulation damage, overheating, loose connections, corrosion, or overloaded circuits.
When it comes to fixing your fuse box, it is highly recommended that you hire a licensed electrician. Repairs of this kind require specialised knowledge and skills that only a qualified professional can provide. Trying to fix it yourself can be incredibly dangerous – working with electrical systems can lead to injury, fire, or even electrocution if not handled properly.
