Why Does My Circuit Breaker Trip on Hot Days?
Here in Florida, we’ve reached the high heat of summer, and homeowners across the state are experiencing the issues that can accompany these brutal temperatures. Circuit breakers in particular can be quite finicky in warmer months.
In today’s blog post, our licensed electricians at Axiom Power share some insight on why your circuit breaker may trip more frequently on hot days.
The Impact of Hot, Sunny Days on Your Circuit Breaker
There are two primary causes that can result in your circuit breaker tripping. This includes:
High Air Temperatures
Cooling System Malfunctioning
Keep reading to learn why this may be occurring and when to call in a professional electrician.
1. High Air Temperatures
The most common cause of a circuit breaker tripping in the summer is because the circuit has become overloaded. Having various devices plugged into the circuit while the AC is working harder than ever ends up using more electricity than the circuit can handle.
On top of that, the summer heat causes the circuit’s bimetallic strip to flex, ultimately coming into contact with a trigger to trip the breaker. If your electric panel is exposed to sunlight, this makes it even more likely that your circuit breaker will trip, since the air within the box can heat up more easily.
Even without an overloaded circuit, the bimetallic strip on your electrical panel can flex and hit a contact, tripping the circuit breaker without an overflow of electricity.
2. Cooling System Malfunctioning
Another potential cause of your circuit breaker tripping on hot days is an issue with your air conditioning system or heat pump. A mechanical issue in your cooling system could be leading to your breaker tripping for a variety of reasons.
If this is the case, the heat isn’t directly causing your circuit breaker to trip, however, it may be causing problems in your air conditioner, which can then lead to issues with your circuit breaker. Such a bummer!
When your AC is pumping on full blast to keep your home comfortable, one of the following problems may place stress on and draw unnecessary electricity from certain components of your HVAC (that is already working super hard):
Dirty air filter
Dirty condenser coil
Malfunctioning fan motor
Frozen evaporator coil
Refrigerant leak
Damaged or old compressor
HVAC units are complicated pieces of machinery with countless connections and moving parts. Something as simple as loose wiring or a faulty capacitor could lead to your breaker tripping! Having issues with your circuit breaker? Call our talented electricians at Axiom Power, we’ll always find a solution.
Assessing the Issue (and When to Reach Out to the Pros)
Pay attention to what occurs in your home before and after your circuit breaker trips. Do you hear the AC rev up right before you lose power? It’s likely an issue with your AC! Fortunately, regular HVAC maintenance and inspections typically prevent these issues.
That’s why it’s important to schedule electrical inspections once a year at the minimum. The last thing you want is no AC when it’s almost 100 degrees outside!
If you think your electrical system is overheating, try unplugging unused appliances to see if that makes a difference while you wait out the heat.
If you’re unable to safely find the source of the problem, it’s time to bring in a licensed electrician. Letting your circuit breaker trip over and over can lead to significant damage and safety hazards such as electrical fires, so don’t wait too long to act.
Learn More > Electrical Safety 101
Face the Heat with Axiom Power
Don’t let irritating electrical issues take away the joys of summertime! If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, it may either be the simple result of high heat, or it could be an issue with your AC.
Whatever the cause, it’s best to call in a professional electrician if it continues to occur in order to avoid something more serious such as an electrical fire from occurring. Reach out to our team at Axiom Power today where we see No Problems, Just Solutions. Call (813) 308-9328.