As licensed electricians in Ballarat, Circuit Breaker Replacement is one of the most common requests we receive due to faulty breakers
Circuit breakers serve a very important function in a home’s electrical system, protecting the wires from overheating during a sudden surge in electricity by tripping off.
When not working correctly, the overloaded or overheated wires can even result in house fires, electrical shocks and loss of life in extreme cases.
However, homeowners can easily avoid this problem if they know what signs to look for and get their old faulty circuit breaker replaced with a new one.
1. Flickering Lights
Flickering lights are not just annoying but could indicate a bigger problem. While flickering lights can happen for several reasons, including loose circuit connections, overheated wiring or a burnt fixture, they could also be due to a failing circuit breaker switch that needs replacing.
2. Poor performing appliances and fixtures
When devices like a vacuum cleaners, iron, toaster or oven are all in relatively good shape but still seem underperforming, the culprit could be a faulty circuit breaker.
When the circuit breaker fails to perform as it should, you will experience overheated wiring that would not be able to take the load of running your modern high-voltage appliances.
3. Burning smell near the switchboard
Wiring and insulation can burn due to overheating, and the smell you get could be a lot better. This could indicate that your circuit breaker is not doing its job of protecting the circuits from overheating.
4. Breaker keeps tripping
When you plug in an appliance and the circuit breaker trips, it’s good news because that’s what it is for in case the appliance is faulty.
However, when you reset the breaker, and it keeps tripping for no reason, the culprit is not the appliance but the breaker itself. Alternatively, your Ballarat electrician may also suggest you add another circuit to your home to take the load off the current ones.
5. Tricky resetting
When a circuit breaker trips, it should be reset back to its original position so it once again begins to perform as it should.
However, if you reset it and it flips back right after, does not budge or gets stuck in the centre, that is a problem. Get a licensed electrician in Ballarat to come over and check it immediately.
Wrapping up
A faulty circuit breaker does not cost much, and timely repair or replacement can save your appliances, house, and precious lives.
This is an investment worth doing to protect your home and your loved ones.
If you think your circuit breaker is too old or faulty, as licensed electricians in Ballarat, we can do a safety inspection and replace your failing circuit breaker with a new one in no time.
Feel free to call us today at 03 4333 9117
