How To Tell if a Breaker is Bad

As an electrician, we know how important it is to ensure that your household electrical systems are up to speed and working as intended. 

Let’s discuss some tell-tale signs that there’s a problem residing in the circuit breaker of your home's electrical systems. Understanding these warning signs can keep your family safe, and keep your household electronics protected.

Signs that your circuit breaker is bad

First, let’s start with the most common warning signs that point to a bad circuit breaker. A bad circuit breaker can lead to a number of problems and safety risks if not immediately addressed, so always keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

The most notable sign is a burning smell

There’s a chance that your nose may find a problem before your eyes do! When it comes to warning signs, one of the most reliable and frequently discovered indicators is a burning smell. 

A bad breaker can feel hot, smell bad, and potentially result in a house fire if not treated as soon as possible. In the event you catch on to a burning smell around your electrical panel, investigate immediately as the associated smell is generally linked to the breaker overheating.  

If your breaker feels hot, it’s likely gone bad

Does your circuit breaker feel warm to the touch? Do you notice hot outlets? While a burning smell is a good indicator, you can also tell something is wrong well before that if you notice the electrical panel is hot to the touch. 

Excessive heat and maybe even buzzing sounds can indicate that your breaker is overloaded and on the verge of failing. 

Your breaker tripping frequently is cause of concern

On the note of overloading your electrical services, another clear indicator that something is wrong is the frequently tripped breaker. With bad circuits and the repeated tripping of the breaker comes significant wear on your electrical system. Seek the help of a professional electrician to remedy the problem. 

Visible damage you can identify on your breaker

Buzzing sounds, visibly bad wiring, burns, cracks, or any type of physical damage on a panel is a strong indicator that something may be wrong with your breaker. Practice regular inspections of your circuit breaker panel to ensure that larger problems are caught before it’s too late and longer lasting damage has left its mark. 

Age eventually catches up to your breaker

Regardless of how well we treat our electrical panel, eventually age catches up and the unit will need to be replaced. If you have an older system installed in your home and notice things aren't working as well as they should be, it may be time to call in some professional help. 

Steps to take after identifying a bad breaker

If you have an inclination that your breaker is no longer functioning as it should, consider following these steps for best results. 

Make sure your connections are adequate  

Always be sure to check your connections prior to making any changes to your electrical systems. Poorly fitted or loose connections can mimic failure and can often be easily remedied through a quick adjustment. 

Follow safety procedures when trying to fix the breaker

Remember: before trying to fix any issues or work on any aspect of your breaker, do your due diligence and ensure that all power to the affected circuit is turned off in order to best keep you safe. Additionally, consider using insulated tools to lessen the risk of accidents happening. 

If all else fails, contact a professional

In the end, if you’re unsure of how to fix something, or what exactly you’re servicing – call a professional! Where there are quite a few simple situations that can be fixed with the right tools and the proper know-how, it is best to leave whatever you feel uncomfortable with to the professionals. We can’t stress enough – electricity is dangerous!

Young Cardinal Electric is here to help out with your bad breakers!

Don’t let a faulty circuit breaker add more to your plate. Allow Young Cardinal Electric to guide you through all of your electrical needs, offering professional electrical services with the utmost respect for electrical safety. 

From simple wiring fixes to complex electrical problems, we’re Wesley Chapel’s reliable electrician, happy and willing to help! Ready to book your next appointment? Visit our website for more information.