Brad Ormsby | US Electric

How To Install a Ceiling Fan Without Attic Access: A Step-by-Step Guide

Brad Ormsby — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 17:49:14 +0000

Having a ceiling fan comes with many benefits. They can help save on the energy costs for heating and cooling and are very aesthetically pleasing.

While most ceiling fans are installed through the attic, you may not have access to your attic space. What do you do then? Having an available circuit where you intend to install your fan is a helpful start. If that is available, this is an easy project for you.

Take a look at how to install a ceiling fan without attic access: a step-by-step guide.

Steps on How to Install a Ceiling Fan Without Attic Access

Installing a ceiling fan without attic access is possible. Follow these steps for installing a new ceiling fan.

Step 1: Turn Off the Power

When working with electricity, you must always turn off the power to the area you are working in first. This will ensure your safety so you do not get shocked. You should test the voltage with a tester to ensure no power is coming through the wiring.

Step 2: Remove Existing Light Fixtures in the Circuit

If the wires look like they are in bad shape, you can cut away the bad parts and then strip 3/4 inches of insulation from the tip of the wire.

Step 3: Take Apart Any Existing Fixture Box

Fixture boxes help protect the wiring in your home. Remove it, but do not damage the wire.

Step 4: Insert the Ceiling Fan Mounting Bracket Into the Hole From the Fixture Box

Make sure it lays flat against the drywall. If it does not lay flat, it will not be placed correctly.

Step 5: Twisting the Bracket To Dig Into the Ceiling Joists

Twist until there is resistance. This helps ensure it is installed properly.

Step 6: Remove the Knockout From Your Mounting Box

You should then insert the prepackaged grommet.

Step 7: Insert the Wires Through the Grommet and Into the Box

Follow the directions to secure the box to the bracket. You can do this with pliers for an easier time.

Step 8: Use the Manufacturer’s Instructions To Assemble the Fan

After that, install the ceiling fan mounting bracket to the ceiling box.

Step 9: Start Making Your Wiring Connections

This is when you connect your black and blue wires to the black wires from the ceiling and then connect the white wires. Finally, connect your ground wires.

Step 10: Install the Fan

Now you need to set the ball joint in the half circle of the mounting bracket.

Step 11: Ensure the Connections Are Tight

Wrap electrical tape around your connections, then carefully put them into the ceiling box.

Step 12: Screw the Canopy Into the Mounting Bracket

Now screw the canopy on, and your fan is installed.

Step 13: Turn on the Power

Switch on the power to test the ceiling fan. This will let you know if your connections are good and everything is installed properly.

If you followed our guide but your ceiling fan is not working, call the expert electricians from US Electric!

Installing a Ceiling Fan? We Can Help!

If you do not have attic access, this can complicate your ceiling fan installation. A professional electrician should add electrical circuits if these are necessary. For dependable ceiling fan installation, repair, or maintenance, you can trust our experts at US Electric to get the job done right.

Call us now to get started!

Here’s Why Your GFCI Outlet Won’t Reset

Brad Ormsby — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 17:36:19 +0000

Are facing outlet issues and aren’t sure where to start? It may be your GFCI. Here’s why your GFCI outlet won’t reset, more about what a GFCI outlet is, and what the reasons may be for a faulty outlet.

What Is a GFCI Outlet?

GFCI stands for ground-fault circuit interrupters. GFCI outlets protect people from being electrocuted in their homes. The National Electrical Code requires GFCI outlets to be in every home. It is important to remember that these outlets only protect people from being electrocuted. They do not protect circuits and appliances.

Signs That Your GFCI Outlet Won’t Reset

If you have a GFCI outlet that is not resetting, reach out to a professional to fix it. However, before calling the electrician, confirm that it is a matter of your GFCI not resetting, and not another issue.

Here are a few ways you can confirm that your GFCI outlet is not resetting:

Check if other outlets in the room are working
Try toggling the test and reset buttons
Use a circuit tester to see if power is moving through the outlet
Use a hair dryer plugged into another outlet to remove any moisture from the faulty outlet
Look for any tripped breakers
Check for bad electrical connections in the wiring

Toggling the reset and test buttons will help you figure out if your outlet is not resetting. If it is not working, the reset will not stay in when you push it.

Reasons Why Your GFCI Outlet Won’t Reset

There are a few potential reasons your outlet will not reset. The outlet may have dust or moisture inside, you have a bad electrical connection, or there is an improper connection. If there is no power supply to the outlet, your GFCI will not reset.

While 99% of outlets not resetting are due to ground faults and wrong connection problems, GFCI outlets can still go bad.

Why Your GFCI Outlet Won’t Reset

There are a few reasons it will not reset, including a faulty GFCI, an improper connection, a circuit breaker has turned the power off, or a power supply is absent from the receptacle.

Other Potential Reasons Why a GFCI Outlet Won’t Reset

It may be that the brand or design has quirks that prevent your GFCI outlet from working properly, you might have an overprotection complication, or there could be outlets downstream of the GFCI that have issues.

Many older homes do not have GFCI outlets or have GFCI outlets that were implemented later on as an update. In these cases, old outlets were likely replaced with 15 amp GFCI outlets. These outlets could be faulty or are poorly designed and do not fit into the home.

Got a GFCI That Won’t Reset? Call an Electrician!

If you have completed troubleshooting and confirmed that your GFCI is not resetting, the next step is to call the licensed electricians from US Electric to help! The professionals at US Electric can inspect and test your GFCI outlet and can also handle replacement or upgrades to your outlets.
For over 30 years, many customers have entrusted US Electric to keep their homes and businesses safe with properly installed and functioning GFCI outlets. Call now for a free quote!

Why Do Smoke Detectors Beep at Night?

Brad Ormsby — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 17:17:54 +0000

A smoke detector is one of the most important safety devices in our homes. Around 95% of US homes have smoke detectors installed. They’re essential when it comes to protecting us from fires.

Smoke detectors help prevent deaths. It has been found that 40% of residential fire deaths happen in homes without smoke alarms. Having smoke detectors to alert you may save your life.

Nothing is more annoying than a smoke detector beeping at night! But don’t take it off the wall – read on to find out why it is beeping and how to stop it!

Where To Install Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors should be in the hallways outside of bedrooms and inside bedrooms. In multi-level houses, you should have at least one per level. New homes require the smoke detectors to be interconnected, which triggers all detectors to go off if there is a fire.

Reasons Why Your Smoke Detectors Beep at Night

Several things cause smoke detectors to beep at night including old detectors, old batteries, and temperature changes in a room with an alarm.

Need To Change the Batteries

When the battery is low in a smoke detector, it will chirp at you to let you know. The simplest fix is to replace the batteries!

Your Smoke Detector Is Old

Outdated alarms tend to malfunction. They may go off without smoke or fire present.

You should change your smoke detector at least once every ten years. As the smoke detector gets older, it’ll beep more often.

Test your smoke detector frequently to ensure it still works.

Get your smoke alarm inspected by a professional from US Electric. We can replace it before the beeping starts to disturb your sleep!

The Room Temperature Dropped

Many smoke alarms use alkaline batteries, powered by a reaction between zinc metal and manganese dioxide. This reaction is affected by air temperatures. Both cold and heat negatively impact battery performance, draining them, which can lead to the smoke detector battery alarm going off in your smoke detector.

How To Reduce the Possibility of Smoke Detectors Beeping at Night?

Is your smoke detector outdated? Both battery and hardwired smoke detectors have the same lifespan and should be replaced every ten years. Consider replacing your carbon monoxide detector at the same time.

Replace the batteries in your alarms and test them regularly. We recommend testing them weekly.

When you need your smoke detectors checked, repaired, or replaced, contact us as US Electric for help!

US Electric: Smoke Detector Repair & Installation Experts

If you’ve changed the batteries, your detector is new, and there isn’t a temperature issue, call US Electric! We have years of experience installing smoke detectors and always follow the legal and safety guidelines.

Local customers trust our fully licensed, experienced, and insured electricians to carry out their smoke detector needs. We can check, repair, or replace smoke detectors to keep you and your family safe.
Call US Electric today!

Do You Need Electrical Panel Repair or Replacement? Here’s How To Tell

Brad Ormsby — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 16:41:23 +0000

An electrical panel, or a fuse box, controls the power supply and where the electricity goes in your home. While an electrical panel should last about twenty-five years, modern electricity needs are demanding more of power systems causing more wear and tear.

Are you wondering if your electrical panel needs repair or replacement? Here’s how to tell.

How Long Does an Electrical Panel Last?

Old electrical panels raise your risk of an electrical fire. They should last around 30-50 years, but as our electrical needs grow year over year, you may need to replace your panel.

We advise a regular inspection of your panel. This will ensure it is still working and is not a fire hazard.

5 Signs That Your Electrical Panel Needs a Repair or Replacement

There are a few signs that your electrical panel needs a repair or replacement. These include issues with your circuit breaker panel, flickering lights, old panels, and an electrical panel that is hot or smells odd.

Circuit Breaker Failure

A circuit breaker interrupts the electrical flow or breaks the circuit when it detects the electrical current is too strong.

However, a circuit breaker may fail. When this happens, it does not stop the electrical current’s flow when it is supposed to. Circuit breaker failure does not often require you to replace your electrical panel. Contact us so we can assess the situation and help keep you safe.

Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping

If your circuit breaker regularly trips, it may be an issue with the breaker, your home’s wiring, or the fuse box.

When your breaker trips, you can typically reset it to resolve the issue. If it trips often, it is a sign you need to get an inspection to determine what the problem is.

Our licensed electricians can check it out for you. Call now for an inspection!

Dimming or Flickering Lights

If your lights flicker or dim while an appliance is on, it is a sign that you do not have the amperage to match your electricity usage. If your appliances seem laggy, it may be time for a fuse box replacement.

Outdated Electrical Panel Design

Outdated electrical panels use fuses instead of circuit breakers, which are far less effective at protecting you and your house. A fuse can only stop an overload of electricity once because they typically melt to stop it.

Older homes had only 60 or 100 amperage, which is considerably less than a modern home is wired with. You need to replace the panel to upgrade from fuses to circuit breakers or to increase your power capacity.

Warm Electrical Panel or a Slight Burning Smell From It

If your fuse box is hot or has a burning smell, you likely have a serious problem at hand. These both indicate that something is burning inside. Charring is a sign of fire, and rust is a sign of water damage. These may both cause an odd burning smell.

If your electrical panel is hot when you touch it or if there is a burning smell, contact an electrical expert right away!

Electrical Panel Repair or Replacement? We Got You!

You may have a serious safety issue if your electrical panel isn’t in its best condition. Our experienced electricians will assess your situation to determine if you need to upgrade or repair your electrical panel.
For safe and dependable electrical services, trust the experts from US Electric and contact us today!

Here’s Why Your Motion Sensor Lights Aren’t Turning On

Brad Ormsby — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Upgrading your property with motion sensor lights is a smart move. These lights can alert you if an intruder approaches your home, and they’re a convenient addition for parking at night.

If you’re running into problems with motion sensor lights that don’t turn on, there are a few steps you can take. Read on for some helpful advice from our expert electricians.

How Do Motion Sensor Lights Work?

Motion sensor lights use sensors to detect movement. The lights come on when the sensors detect a person or object moving.

The motion sensors used to detect movement can vary from product to product. While some motion sensor lights rely on active infrared sensors, others use passive infrared or PIR sensors. Your light fixture might also use photoelectric sensors or microwave technology, but infrared radiation is more common.

There are several benefits to installing outdoor motion sensors on your property:

Occupancy sensors can keep you safe at night. These lights will detect your presence and automatically emit light if you’re parking or walking outside.
Motion sensor lights are energy efficient because they shut off automatically. You can use up to 75% less energy compared to traditional lights.
While motion sensor lights aren’t as bright as floodlights at 12 to 100 lumens instead of 700 to 1,300 lumens, they can still work as an effective deterrent against intruders.

What’s the Problem?

Issues can stem from a few different things:

The sensors can go bad, and movement detection will no longer work.
The bulbs might stop working and no longer emit light even though the device works properly.
Electrical issues, such as a damaged power cord or faulty battery from solar motion lights, can prevent the device from working correctly.
Issues like power surges and power outages can also cause a motion detector light to stop working.

If you’re running into problems with your motion light fixture, turning the device on and off again is one of the first things you can try to reset the lights. If this doesn’t work, your best option is to give us a call and have one of our professional electricians troubleshoot the problem.

How to Troubleshoot a Motion Sensor Light

The following steps will help you troubleshoot your vacancy sensors.

Check the Sensor

Are there objects blocking the sensor? Check the sensor’s surface and wipe it with a clean cloth to remove dirt and debris.

Replace the Light Bulbs

While LED lights can last longer than other types of bulbs, a power surge or defective circuit can still cause them to stop working. The bulb may wear out over time or sustain damage if an object falls on the light. Check the light bulbs and replace them if needed.

Adjust the Settings

Check your owner’s manual to see if you can adjust the sensitivity setting of your motion lights or adjust the detector mode. If the setting is too low, the sensors might fail to respond to slight movements.

You can also try adjusting the duration settings. A light that glows for a few seconds might not be beneficial, and a light that stays on for several minutes can go through its battery quickly if you’re using solar-powered motion lights.

If you can, expand the range setting to improve the efficiency of your outdoor security lights.

U.S. Electric: Dependable Expert Electricians

If your lights are still not working after cleaning the sensor, checking the light bulbs, and adjusting the settings, give us a call.Our expert electricians at U.S. Electric will be able to find and address the root cause of the issue. Give us a call now to get your motion sensor lights working again!

5 Electrical Safety Upgrades You Can Make This Week

Brad Ormsby — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 02:22:00 +0000

Keeping your family safe is probably one of your top priorities. Many homeowners don’t realize that their electrical systems can become a source of danger without proper maintenance.

Thankfully, preventing fire hazards and other electrical issues is easy. Read on to learn more about five simple safety electrical upgrades you can make to keep your family safe.

Electrical Safety Upgrade #1: Home Standby-Generator

Outages are a costly issue. They cost a total of $70 billion each year to the U.S. economy, and experts believe blackouts will become more frequent as temperatures continue to rise.

A home standby generator can power all your important appliances during an outage. It’s a convenient option for keeping the lights on and cooking meals, but it can also keep your family safe by powering your AC on hot summer days if the power goes out.

On average, a household uses over 10,000 kWh each year. Your home might consume more or less, and it’s possible to find a generator adapted to the size of your home and your unique needs.

Electrical Safety Upgrade #2: Tamper-Resistant Outlets

Removable outlet covers can prevent children and even pets from hurting themselves with electrical outlets. Tamper-resistant outlets are a more permanent solution to keep young children safe. They’re also safer since you won’t have to worry about children removing the cover, which can turn into a choking hazard. Plus, it’s easy to forget to put the cap back on when the outlet is not in use.

Tamper-resistant outlets have built-in shutters that prevent children from sticking their fingers or inserting objects into the outlets.

Electrical Safety Upgrade #3: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Outlets (GFCIs) and Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) Circuit Breakers

These two simple electrical components will make your home safer.

GFCI

GFCI or Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters trip circuits automatically when they detect a surge in the electrical current. These interrupters can prevent electrical incidents and even save your life. The adoption of GFCIs in the 70s resulted in electrocution numbers dropping by 83%.

Professional electricians often install GFCI electrical outlets outdoors and in areas where exposure to water is possible, including your kitchen and bathroom.

AFCI

An AFCI or Arc-fault circuit interrupter can detect arcing currents. Arcing currents are safety hazards that can result in electrical fires.

An AFCI can detect the presence of dangerous arcing conditions, for instance, if there is damage to insulation inside of a junction box or electrical panel.

AFCIs are a requirement for some circuits, and professional electricians typically install them throughout the house, except in the bathroom and kitchen.

Electrical Safety Upgrade #4: Structured Wirings

More homeowners are embracing the smart home trend. There are now over 258 million smart homes globally.

Structured wiring is an electrical upgrade that can facilitate the adoption of smart home products and technology. With structured wiring, a cabling infrastructure provides power and connectivity for different devices throughout your home.

You should also consider wiring upgrades if you have an older home. Aluminum wiring can also cause fires and call for replacement. Burying electrical power lines makes your home safer.

Electrical Safety Upgrade #5: Dual Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarms

Carbon monoxide can result from the incomplete combustion of fuels. If you have gas-powered appliances in your home, you need carbon monoxide detectors.

You can also have dual carbon monoxide/smoke alarms installed. These alarms use a CO sensor and smoke detectors to alert you.

Planning Electrical Safety Upgrades? We Can Help!

These five upgrades are a simple way of making your home safer. It’s best to have a professional with the right knowledge, tools, and experience install these different upgrades.U.S. Electric has a team of certified electricians who can help you make your home safer. Give us a call today to get a quote for your project!

Should You Turn Your Electric Water Heater Off When You’re Not Using It?

Brad Ormsby — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 09:16:00 +0000

Water heaters are one of the most used appliances in every household. Yet, for the most part, it doesn’t demand much to maintain.

No matter the appliance, you need to turn it off at some point. But is it necessary to turn off your electric water heater when it’s not in use?

Turning Off Your Heater — Is It Necessary?

It’s always better to understand the advantages and disadvantages of turning off your electric, gas, or tankless water heaters.

Let’s work through the pros and cons of turning off your heater, so you can make an informed decision regarding your household.

Pros of turning off your heater:

A small amount of heat escapes when the water heater is on, even though your appliances are well insulated.
Turning off your water heater may help you save a little money on your bills each month.

Cons of turning off your heater:

It will not result in noticeable energy savings. In a report by The U.S. Energy Information Administration, electricity prices are expected to rise by 3.9% between the months of June and August of 2022, compared to the electricity prices during these months last year.
Repeatedly turning the heater on and off can cause even more problems. It results in no hot water in your water supply when you need it. You may also encounter difficulties turning the power back on, delaying the use of warm water.

When Do You Really Need to Turn Your Water Heater Off?

There are specific instances when turning off your water heater is necessary. Here is a list of those reasons:

When the main water supply is shut off
When there’s a leak
When you are doing a maintenance service
When you are going on vacation

How To Turn Off Your Water Heater?

The simplest way to turn off your water heater is by disconnecting the switch. When you want to turn on the heater, connect the switch half an hour before you need it, then turn it off before you start using the hot water.

Consider installing a timer for your water heater. A timer saves you from manually turning your water heater on and off. However, this option has proven costly.

Look at the pros and cons before deciding if you should turn your water heater off or not. Make sure you note the period of time it is not in use to ensure you have warm water when you need it.

Other Ways To Lower Your Water Heating Cost

The following tips can help lower your water heating costs.

Schedule a regular unit flushing/maintenance

Having a professional insulate your tank can lower your standby heat loss. This process can reduce your annual cost by 7% to 16% annually.

Lower the output temperature

Lowering the output temperature on either a gas or electric water heater may save you 4% to 22% annually. However, remember not to go lower than 120F because any lower can increase the risk of Legionnaires Disease.

Professional and Efficient Electrical Services

U.S Electric has more than 30 years of delivering exceptional residential and commercial electrical services in Richmond, VA, and surrounding areas. Whether it’s water heater installation, repairs, replacement, or upgrades, our expert electricians can help!
Call us today to get started!

Can You Shower During a Power Outage? Here’s the Answer

Brad Ormsby — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 00:16:12 +0000

A power outage can disrupt your usual routine. You may have to do without basic comforts for a while. An outage might also prevent you from performing household tasks.

But can you take a shower during a power outage? There’s actually more to the answer than meets the eye. Read on to learn more about showering when the power is out.

What’s The Issue?

You might think that the electricity being out won’t affect the plumbing. Your home relies on different electrical appliances to provide you with water, including electrical hot water heaters, boilers, tankless water heaters, or even electrical well pumps.

Depending on the appliances your household relies on, hot water may or may not be available.

If you have an electric hot water heater, the electrical heating element won’t work. You’ll still be able to take a hot shower with the water stored in the tank of your electric water heater.
Gas hot water heaters will continue working during an outage. If you have a traditional water heater with an electric pilot light, you won’t be able to turn it back on if the pilot light goes out.
A tankless water heater won’t work during an outage. The electrical models won’t be able to heat up the water, and on-demand gas water heaters rely on an electrical panel that won’t work.

If you need to use water during an outage, keep these tips in mind:

Keep track of time and keep showers as short as possible.
Consider taking a cold shower if you don’t have a tank with hot water.
Use cold water for cooking and doing the dishes.
You can use the toilet but limit flushing as much as possible.

Another important consideration is that local water and sewage systems might be down if the power lines aren’t working. These facilities use the equivalent of what 2 million homes consume.

Most water treatment facilities rely on electrical pumps to remove sewage from homes, and sewage lines can back up quickly if these pumps are down.

Is It Safe to Shower During a Power Outage?

You might be familiar with a rumor claiming lightning can strike you in the shower. The good news is that it’s a myth. It’s perfectly safe to shower during an outage or storm.

The main risk is that showering in the dark increases your risk of slipping and falling, which is why you should have a battery-powered light in your bathroom. It’s a safer alternative to candles and gas lamps that represent a fire hazard.

Enjoy Your Shower Anytime — Get A Generator!

Experts believe power outages will continue to become more frequent, especially when temperatures rise in the summer.

Upgrading your home with a backup generator is a viable solution to keep essential systems on during an outage, including your water heater or water pump. Contact us today to learn more about the steps involved in installing a generator!

What Is a Lightning Arrester and How Does It Work?

Brad Ormsby — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:46:37 +0000

Lightning strikes during storms pose dangers to your safety and your property. A high-voltage current surge can cause extensive damage and even an electrical fire. To reduce or eliminate that risk, you can install a lightning arrester. Certain classes of arresters are suitable for particular areas. Class 1 arresters can dissipate much more current than class 2 arresters. Therefore, you should not install a class 2 arrester in a class 1 area since it will lead to catastrophic damage.

What Is a Lightning Arrester

A lightning arrester is a device used along power lines located outside of a residence, usually next to transformers. The arrester is characterized by a spiral shape made of metal that is placed on the line to protect the nearby electrical system.

If there is a lightning strike during a storm, a high-voltage current surges into the electrical line and is mitigated. The arrester immediately diverts the surge around the home and into the ground or earth.

Arresters are also classified according to their functions. Whether you need to protect a single-phase or three-phase supply, there are multiple classes to choose from.

How Does a Lightning Arrester Work?

A lightning arrester does not prevent lightning from striking a home or business. It is typically installed between the power line and the home, substation, or circuit breakers.

Lightning rods differ from arresters in that they are passive rods that absorb lightning strikes and send them through an attached cable to the ground. The electrical circuits still run the risk of being affected by the sudden surge in power when using a lightning rod only.

A lightning arrester has a high voltage terminal and a ground terminal. The current spike naturally wants to flow to the electrical components. This is where the lightning arrester comes in. It diverts excess current into a predetermined location.

What Are the Key Features of a Surge (Lightning) Arrester?

These are the features and functions of surge/lightning arresters:

A properly working lightning arrester breaks down quickly when exposed to an abnormal voltage over the rated breakdown value. A “breakdown” refers to the function of the lightning arrester wherein the insulation inside breaks down momentarily so that the voltage surge can be directed to the ground.
It should divert the current at the precise moment that the transient voltage reaches the rated breakdown threshold.
The spark-over voltage must go beyond the usual power frequency occurring in the system for the device to work. It shouldn’t be electrically conductive under normal conditions.
Lastly, the lightning arrester should channel the discharged electrical energy without losing its durability when these breakdowns happen.

Ideal Location for a Surge (Lightning) Arrester

The ideal placement for an arrester is anywhere close to whatever needs protection. It will usually link the phase or electrical supply to the electrical panel and protect it from surges. You may also need a surge diverter with certain power supplies. Call us so we can help you better understand your electrical needs.

Dependable Surge (Lightning) Arrester Installation

Electrical devices and appliances are indispensable, especially for those who work from home. Purchasing a device to protect your property from lightning is easily the best investment you can make for yourself. Call U.S. Electric today for a professional, dependable installation by one of our expert electricians. We also offer many other electrical services to meet your needs.

Is Your Microwave Tripping Your Circuit Breaker? Here’s Why…

Brad Ormsby — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:41:34 +0000

Nearly every person or business has a microwave because it is a convenient appliance! Microwave ovens are high-wattage devices, meaning that they pull a great deal of electricity from the circuit when being used, which can trip your breaker. Continue reading to find out why this happens.

Reasons Your Microwave Trips Your Circuit Breaker

A breaker can trip whenever the fail-safes within it sense that there is an unreasonable amount of power being pulled from it. There are a few things you can do to help mitigate the issue.

Overloaded Circuit Breaker

Each breaker on the electrical panel is designed to handle a specific amp load when in use. You should try not to pull the maximum amps. When a breaker requires more amps than the panel can provide, the breaker trips to prevent an electrical mishap.

Breaker design allows for 80% of the max amp rating for an extended period. A microwave pulls between 12 and 15 amps and can trip the breaker, even though it should be on a 20 amp breaker. This problem becomes even more prominent if the breaker is shared. Avoid this problem by dedicating a breaker to the microwave, and the breaker should be fine.

Defective Microwave

If your microwave is on a dedicated circuit, you should be able to check if the microwave is defective. Look for issues like:

Faulty door switch
Blown fuses
Wet turntable motor
Electrical supply
Faulty capacitor

Electrical Supply Problem

You can check the electrical socket to see if the supply is the problem. Check to see if the socket is damaged, if the plug is hard to unplug, or if the plug and socket have fused. Any of these means the electrical supply is a problem. The best way to handle this is to contact an electrician.

Faulty Capacitor

A microwave capacitor allows the microwave to function. This component stores electricity and effectively doubles the power from the outlet to power the magnetron, which is how the microwave cooks food.

Visually examine the capacitor. Damage indicates replacement is needed. Also, you can test with a multimeter. Discharge the capacitor and then check. A reading of zero indicates you will need to replace it.

Malfunctioning Door Safety Latch

In the latch, switches inform the microwave if the door is closed. This prevents microwaves from causing harm while in use. Unplug the microwave, discharge the capacitor, and test with a multimeter.

Turntable Motor Problem

The turntable motor allows the magnetron to cook evenly. During use, the steam escaping from food can get into the motor and cause electrical problems. You can use a multimeter to check for continuity, revealing the motor functions.

Get to the Root of the Problem

Remember the things mentioned above to pinpoint the problem. Inspect the microwave and look for defects as well as electrical supply concerns. See if there is a dedicated circuit, and if not, think about installing one. You can also have a certified electrician come out and do all these things.

Bottomline

There are several reasons your microwave could be tripping the circuit breaker. Any one of the reasons we discussed could be a potential problem. If you need an electrician, call a master electrician at U.S. Electric today and we can help with all your electrical needs!