As you may know, circuit breakers are what control the output of electricity throughout your home. They give you the ability to turn the power off throughout the home or to certain outlet at a moment’s notice, making them an essential technology for your home. These items also protect your home’s appliances from having to endure an excessive electrical current, which could damage them or start a fire inside of the house. Sometimes these breakers stop working, however, due to a few environmental and maintenance factors.
Excessive Tripping
Just like any other type of electrical appliance, circuit breakers can become overworked and can end up going bad. When the breaker is tripped, it signals that something is wrong within your home. This tripping does not fix the problem, but rather prevents a fire from starting because of excessive heat within the circuit. The more your breaker trips, the more likely it is to stop working, requiring you to replace it.
Inadequate Lubrication
Since breakers have moving parts, they require lubrication to function properly. Manufacturers will lubricate these parts before sending the breaker out, but it is a good idea to check the lubrication occasionally to ensure that everything remains running smoothly. When the breakers are open, they must be able to close to ensure that your house stays safe should something go wrong within your circuits.
Defective Materials
If a new breaker has stopped working, there is a good chance that it was not constructed properly in the first place. When this happens, try to return the breaker right away. If the company will not send you a replacement, begin researching other manufacturers online. You are sure to find a reputable electric supplier if you look hard enough, which will cut down on the chances of this happening again in the future.
What to Do
Although you should inspect your breaker regularly to prevent these problems, sometimes breakers do stop working. In these cases, you will have to find a replacement unit and have it installed. Look online for this replacement, rather than purchasing one directly from your contractor, as this could save you money and give you much more control over the breaker that is being installed in your home.
Bruce Electric Equipment Corp. has a number of different breakers available in their 15,000 square foot warehouse and will deliver the product right to your door.
