Ever wonder what stands between your home and a potential electrical disaster? It’s not a superhero in a cape — it’s your circuit breaker.
Circuit breakers are a critical part of every home's electrical system, working behind the scenes to protect us from potential hazards.
Always treat a tripped breaker as a warning sign. When a fault is detected, they interrupt the flow of electricity which prevents fires, equipment damage and even injury. That’s why it's important not to overlook basic safety practices that can further reduce risk.
“It’s important to periodically inspect your circuit breaker panel,” said Scott Mitchell, SCE principal manager of Public Safety. “When inspecting, wear protective gear, approach with caution and, if you hear or see anything unusual, don’t touch it. Call a licensed electrician to make sure your system is safe.”
Licensed electricians play a critical role in making safe and effective repairs by identifying and addressing the root cause of faulty breakers. Their expertise really matters when you consider an estimated 28,300 residential electrical fires occur annually, many of which stem from electrical malfunctions that these professionals are trained to prevent.
There are several reasons why a circuit breaker might fail. Leading causes of a faulty circuit breaker include overloading, physical damage, age and environmental factors.
Circuit breaker safety tips:
- Hire a licensed electrician to install the correct type and size of circuit breaker, making sure it has the appropriate amperage rating and compatible wiring.
- Avoid plugging in too many devices in one outlet or using extension cords as permanent solutions. These can lead to circuit overload.
- Turn off power before doing any work on the circuit breaker panel.
- Inspect circuit breakers regularly. Use proper protective gear and identify any issues such as frequent tripping or overheating.
- Avoid doing any repairs on circuit breakers without the help of a licensed electrician.
- Check that panels are free of any moisture or dust, which can cause corrosion or electrical faults.
- Keep the area surrounding breakers clear and accessible.
- Label each breaker clearly in the panel.
- Always use ground fault circuit interrupters and arc fault circuit interrupters where required.
For more information about electrical safety, visit sce.com/safety.
