Can a Breaker Go Bad?
Yes! Circuit breakers do go bad. And it can be concerning for any homeowner as a bad breaker is not something everyone knows how to fix. However, it’s crucial to understand the difference between a device malfunction and a bad breaker.
What Happens When a Breaker Goes Bad?
When a breaker goes bad, it doesn’t fulfill its job of being the line of defense for your home and all your electrical appliances. That means it doesn’t trip during an electrical surge. The electrical safety of your home gets compromised till the time you fix it.
There are some common warning signs of a bad breaker to look out for if you feel anything is wrong with your breaker. This next section will guide you on the symptoms of a bad circuit breaker.
How to Tell if a Breaker is Bad?
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You can tell a Breaker is Bad if it shows any of the below Bad Circuit Breaker Symptoms:
· Burning Smell
The wires and insulation get overheated when a breaker goes bad and produces a burning odor. Try to sniff around the panel to check if any burning smell is coming out of it. If you get the sense of overheating, shut down the power of your house without any delay and call an electrician.
· Hot Breakers
The same heat that produces the burning smell also makes the breakers hot. If your breakers are hot when you touch them, you are most probably touching a bad circuit breaker. Call for professional help immediately.
· Breaker Trips Frequently
Tripping is not a definite sign of a bad breaker. There can be other reasons for breakers to trip frequently, such as a bad circuit or faulty equipment. Do a deep dive to understand the actual cause.
· Worn-out or Old Breaker
If you witness any bad circuit breaker symptoms in your old and worn-out breaker, the chances are that your breaker has gone bad.
· Visibly Damaged Circuit Breaker
The overheating of a faulty breaker often causes evident damage to the breaker and the panel. If you notice any external damage on the panel, check for other signs of a bad breaker and call an electrician immediately.
· Breaker Doesn’t Remain Reset
If it seems like your breaker will not remain reset for a while, call an electrician to check its condition and any internal damage to the wiring.
· Power Surge
If you witnessed a power surge recently, there is a possibility that your breakers got damaged due to a sudden spike of current. Surge suppressors can be installed in your electric panels. But they are not 100% successful in limiting the damage.
· Overloaded Circuit
There are different types of circuit breakers for varying levels of current loads. A breaker can go bad if it’s constantly overloaded. Check the appliances connected with your breaker are of appropriate load or not if you suspect a bad breaker.
· Short Circuit
When the current passes through a shorter way, it causes a short circuit because of its huge amount. The breaker does its job of safeguarding electric wiring and equipment by tripping. But sometimes, it gets damaged in the process. So you can connect the dots if you face bad circuit breaker symptoms and have witnessed a short circuit recently.