You might be dealing with a circuit overload if you’re experiencing flickering lights, tripping circuit breakers, or frequently blown fuses in your Alexandria home. Even though an electrical circuit overload is a common issue for homeowners, it’s important to fix and prevent overloads quickly to keep your family safe from dangers associated with circuit overloads. Below, Alexandria electricians at Lombardi Electric discuss everything you need to know about how to fix an overloaded circuit.
If you’re struggling with frequent home electrical issues like blown fuses or circuit overloads, it’s time to call in the professionals at Lombardi Electric. We will perform an Alexandria home electrical safety inspection. From there, we will make any necessary repairs or upgrades to ensure your home is safe and functional.
Call Lombardi Electric at 318-545-7575 for more information.
What is an Overloaded Circuit?
An overloaded circuit occurs when you connect too many electrical devices or appliances to the same circuit. This can draw too much power, causing unsustainable circuit loads. Standard circuits are designed to handle a specific amount of electrical current, known as maximum load rating.
Exceeding the maximum load rating on a general-purpose circuit can lead to various potentially dangerous electrical problems.
Short Circuit vs. Overloaded Circuit
How does a circuit overload differ from an electrical short circuit? While both can cause issues, they require different solutions.
- Overloaded Circuit: When you connect too many devices or exceed an area of collective circuits’ power, this is an overload. When the circuit exceeds its power limit, the result is overheating wires and problems with your electrical panel– breakers tripping or fuses blowing.
- Short Circuit: This happens when two wires with different electrical charges come into contact with each other. Short circuits often result in sparks, smoke, and potentially fire if not addressed promptly.
What Are the Dangers of Overloaded Circuits?
When a circuit is overloaded, it’s forced to carry more electrical current than it was designed for, causing excessive heat buildup in the wiring. This heat can damage insulation, melt wires, and cause house fires.
An electrical overload can also cause any heat-producing appliance, specifically kitchen appliances, to malfunction, leading to costly repairs or replacements.
Common Causes of an Overloaded Circuit
What causes a circuit overload?
Typical culprits of an overloaded circuit include:
Too Many Appliances: Plugging too many electrical appliances and devices into one circuit can easily cause a circuit overload.
High-Wattage Appliances: Running too many power-hungry devices simultaneously can overload a circuit. For example, a space heater, air conditioner, electric stove, or power tools can be enough to exceed the power load on the circuit.
Outdated Wiring: Older homes may have outdated permanent wiring that is not equipped to handle the electrical demands of modern appliances and gadgets.
Extension Cords: Relying on extension cords excessively to increase the number of devices connected to general-purpose circuits can easily exceed the total load.
Daisy-Chaining: Connecting multiple power strips or extension cords together in a chain can also cause an overloaded circuit.
Warning Signs of an Overloaded Circuit
Keep an eye out for these warning signs of an electrical circuit overload:
Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping: This clearly indicates circuit overload.
Flickering or Dimming Lights: Lights dimming or flickering when you turn on an appliance indicates that the circuit may be overloaded. Test light bulbs with different appliances to determine which is the issue.
Warm or Discolored Outlets: If you can pinpoint general-purpose outlets that feel warm to the touch or switch covers that appear discolored, it could be due to overheating caused by an overloaded circuit.
Burning Odor: A burning smell, especially near outlets or electrical devices, indicates a serious electrical load issue. Immediately turn off the power and investigate.
Buzzing Noises From Outlets or Switches: Light switches or outlets with audible buzzing sounds could indicate a circuit overload.
How to Fix Circuit Overload
Now that you understand a circuit overload and its common causes and warning signs let’s explore how to fix this problem.
Determine How Much Power Your Appliances Use
Knowing how much power each device draws, you can decide which appliances can safely share the same circuit.
Additionally, knowing the power consumption of each home appliance can help you determine which appliances need a dedicated circuit, meaning a single circuit for that one appliance. Other plug-in appliances should be on general-purpose circuits, not on dedicated circuits. This helps ensure the entire circuit system is properly protected.
Knowing your appliances’ power requirements also allows you to plan your electrical usage more efficiently. Regularly assessing and managing your appliance load is a proactive approach to maintaining a safe and functional electrical setup in your home.
Unplug Unused or Unnecessary Appliances
One of the easiest ways to relieve an overloaded circuit is to unplug all the devices or appliances (like kitchen appliances, light fixtures, or even the vacuum cleaner) you’re not currently using and flip the circuit breaker back on. This reduces the demand on the circuit, allowing it to operate safely.
Spread Out the Load
Distribute your electrical devices across multiple outlets in your home. Avoid plugging all power-hungry appliances, like a space heater, for example, into a single room or outlet, especially if existing electrical loads are nearly met. Dedicated circuits, or a different circuit for each major device or appliance, can help prevent drawing more electricity and overloading circuits.
Upgrade the Circuit
If you frequently face overloading issues, consider upgrading your electrical circuits. A licensed electrician at Lombardi Electric can assess your home’s electrical system and recommend the appropriate upgrades if you need a new circuit upgrade. Getting new circuits may involve installing additional circuits or rewiring certain areas of your home to ensure the circuits run as they should.
Replace Your Circuit Breakers
Old or malfunctioning breakers can contribute to overloading problems. If your circuit breakers trip frequently and you’ve ruled out excessive device usage, it might be time to replace them. Modern breakers are more efficient and less prone to tripping.
Switch Out the Circuit Breaker
Another potential solution is to replace the circuit breaker with one that has a higher amperage rating. For example, you can switch out a 15 amp circuit with a 20 amp circuit and experience fewer problems. However, a qualified electrician should only do circuit breaker replacements, as it involves electrical work and a thorough understanding of your home’s circuit wiring.
Updating Home Wiring
Outdated home wiring can be a significant contributor to frequently overloaded circuits. Old wiring systems may not be designed to handle the electrical demands of modern appliances, gadgets, and lifestyles and may exhibit these ten signs of faulty electrical wiring in a house.
These outdated systems often have lower ampacity, inadequate insulation, and may lack the grounding required for safety. As a result, when residents attempt to use multiple high-wattage devices simultaneously, it places an excessive load on these aging circuits, leading to overheating, tripped circuit breakers, or even electrical fires.
To address the issue of frequently overloaded circuits and ensure the safety and functionality of your home’s electrical system, it’s crucial to invest in updating your home wiring. A professional electrician at Lombardi Electric can assess your existing wiring, help with mapping circuits, recommend necessary upgrades, and bring your electrical system up to code, providing peace of mind and a safer living environment.
When to Call a Professional Electrician About an Electrical Circuit Overload
While some DIY home electricity solutions can be enough to fix overloaded circuits, it’s crucial to recognize when it’s time to call in a professional electrician at Lombardi Electric:
- If you’re unsure about the cause of the overloading.
- If you suspect your home’s wiring is outdated or damaged.
- If you notice any signs of overheating or burning.
- If you’ve attempted DIY fixes, but the problem persists.
- If you suspect your breaker box or electrical panel needs a replacement or upgrade.
Our Alexandria electricians have the knowledge and experience to diagnose and resolve complex issues within home electrical systems safely.
Call Lombardi Electric Today
When dealing with electrical issues, it’s essential to prioritize safety and take the necessary precautions. If you’re experiencing frequent circuit overloads, electrical disturbances, or other concerns, please contact Lombardi Electric in Alexandria, LA.
Our team of experienced electricians is ready to inspect your electrical system, provide quick repairs and upgrades, and ensure that your home is safe and up to code. For more information about Alexandria residential electrical services, Alexandria commercial electrical services, and Alexandria industrial electrical services, call 318-545-7575 today.
