How To Prevent Electrical Circuit Overload

Do you constantly experience flickering lights and blown fuses at home or your workplace? If you do, you may have a case of electrical circuit overload. Electrical circuit overloads can cause you unimaginable stress, and they can limit the functionality of your home. However, the good news is that electrical circuit overload can be prevented. Hence, in this blog, we’ll dive into the causes of circuit overloads and provide simple, practical tips on how to keep your electrical system functioning smoothly. So, without any further delay, let’s get started!

The Causes of Electrical Circuit Overloads

Circuit overload doesn’t just happen; several events usually cause this. We shall look at some of them.

1. Old or Damaged Wiring: One of the main causes of electrical circuit overload is faulty wires. When electrical wiring has become worn or damaged, it will not be able to handle the flow of electricity efficiently. And when this persists, there could be a case of circuit overload, plus it could also cause a fire accident.
2. Overloading Outlets: You may not know this, but your circuit can also get overloaded when too many electrical devices are plugged into one outlet, thus leading to tripped breakers and blown fuses.
3. Improperly-Sized Circuit Breakers: Typically, circuit breakers are designed to trip when there is an overload to protect your electrical system. The problem now is if the circuit breaker is not properly sized for your electrical needs, it may not trip when it should, leading to an overload.
4. Outdated Electrical Panels: When you have an outdated electrical panel, you risk experiencing circuit overload. So, when your electrical panel is starting to wear out, don’t wait until it causes a bigger issue before replacing it.
5. High-Wattage Appliances: Some appliances, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and ovens, can also cause frequent power trips because they normally require a large amount of electricity. Therefore, if you have any of these devices at home, try to connect them to their dedicated circuit to avoid overload.
6. DIY Electrical Work: Some DIY works are strongly advised, but we don’t usually encourage them when it comes to electrical work. When you install your electrical panel yourself, you tend to make mistakes, and some of the results could be catastrophic sometimes.  For example, it could cause your circuit to overload.

Indicators of Electrical Circuit Overload

Usually, the most noticeable indication of an overloaded circuit is when the breaker trips, causing all power to shut off. But other indicators of circuit overload may not be as noticeable as the former; they include:

1. Constant light flickering, particularly when appliances or other lights are turned on.
2. Buzzing sounds from outlets or switches.
3. Warm outlets or switches.
4. A burning smell coming from outlets or switches.
5. Plug or outlets that appear to be burnt.

Although, there are some other indicators that we haven’t mentioned, probably because they are less obvious. Nonetheless, notice any of the signs we have mentioned here. It may be a sign of an electrical circuit overload, and you must address it as soon as possible to prevent any potential hazards.

6 Ways to Prevent Electrical Circuit Overload

As often said in the medical world, prevention is better than cure. The same ideology can also be used when it comes to electricity. This is because, aside from the cost of fixing all electrical issues, it could also cause severe accidents. So, in this section, we will look at six ways to prevent electrical circuit overload.

1. Upgrade Outdated Electrical Panels: If you’ve recently just moved into a new home, there is a high chance that the electrical panel is outdated. So, to prevent circuit overload, it will be wise of you to upgrade to a new one. Modern electrical panels tend to be stronger and more durable than older ones.

• Schedule Periodic Electrical Maintenance: As we said earlier, some overload signs are not always obvious. You could be experiencing circuit overload and won’t even know it. And that is enough reason why you have to hire a qualified electrician to come and check your electrical system for you. When you do this regularly, you are not only preventing your electricity from tripping but also save your home from all kinds of electrical accidents.

• Use Power Strips: Power strips, which some call extension boxes, are very important in the house. Plugging multiple devices into a power strip can help distribute the electrical load and prevent overloading a single outlet.

• Dedicate Circuits for High-Wattage Devices: If you have high-wattage appliances, such as air conditioners and ovens, etc., in your home. We advise that you dedicate special circuits to them.  When you connect these devices to their dedicated circuit, you will prevent the overloading of other circuits.

• Check Circuit Breaker Sizing: Another great way to prevent circuit overloading is to check whether the kind of circuit breaker you have at home is compatible with your electrical needs. If your circuit breakers are poorly sized for your electrical needs, you could experience overloading of circuits.

• Consider Rewiring Your Home: The thing is, faulty wires are sometimes hard to detect. Hence, when you notice that your circuit is overloaded frequently, you can’t pinpoint the cause exactly. Then, it’s high time you rewire your home. As you’d imagine, you can’t rewire yourself; you will need to hire an electrician to come and do that for you. It may cost you much money, but trust us; it’s worth it!

Hire a Professional Electrician Today

Taking preventative measures to avoid an electrical circuit overload is essential for maintaining a safe and functioning system. With the help of CNA Electric Ltd, you can ensure your professional or residential wiring is up-to-date, efficient, and properly maintained. Our experienced electricians can quickly diagnose any existing issues in your circuits and provide customized solutions that meet all safety standards. Reach out today by calling 1-250-816-8884 or emailing cna.electrician@gmail.com to find out how we can help you protect your electrical systems from a potential overload. We look forward to hearing from you!