Preventing Electrical Circuit Overloads

Electrical circuit overloads can be a serious safety hazard, causing power outages, damage to appliances, and even electrical fires. Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can take to prevent overloading your electrical circuits.

At Mr. Electric, we offer a full array of residential and commercial electrical services, including circuit breaker installation, lighting repairs, electrical panel repair, electrical safety inspections, EVSE installation, and many more. In this article, we will help you understand what causes electrical circuit overloads and what you can do to prevent them.

What Is An Electrical Circuit Overload?

As the name implies, an electrical circuit overload occurs when an excessive amount of electricity flows through a circuit. In other words, a circuit overload occurs when too much electrical current flows through a circuit, exceeding its capacity. An overload can cause an electrical circuit to overheat and potentially cause damage to the circuit components, including wires, outlets, and switches.

What Causes Electrical Circuit Overloads?

• Too many electrical devices plugged into a single outlet
• Running too many high-wattage appliances at once
• Faulty or deteriorating wiring, which can cause electrical current to arc
• Damaged circuits
• Faulty appliances drawing too much power
• An outdated electrical systems
• Using extension cords or power strips that are not rated for the amount of power being drawn

Tips To Prevent Electrical Circuit Overloads

• Utilize Dedicated Electrical Circuits

Dedicated electrical circuits can help prevent overloads by ensuring that certain high-wattage appliances, such as refrigerators, electric water heaters, and air conditioners, have their own separate circuits. This means that the electrical load of these appliances is not shared with other outlets or devices on the same circuit, reducing the risk of overloading.

• Know the Amount of Power Your Appliances Utilize

Being mindful of the wattage of your devices and how much your circuits have been designed to handle will help you avoid running too many high-wattage appliances at the same time.

• Avoid Using Too Many Electrical Appliances or Devices into a Single Circuit

Plugging too many electrical appliances or devices into a single circuit can overload the circuit and cause damage to the appliances or devices, and even electrical fires. It’s advisable to spread out your devices to avoid overloading any single circuit. If you need additional outlets, consider having an affordable electrician install additional electrical outlets or dedicated circuits in your home.

• Inspect Your Wiring and Appliances to Ensure They’re In Good Condition

Perform a routine inspection of all the cords of your appliances to ensure there is no fraying or exposed wiring. If any cords are damaged, cease using the appliance and have it replaced.

• Consider Rewiring If Your Wiring Is Outdated

If your property was built before the 1980s and has not had any electrical updates since then, it is likely that the wiring is outdated and you need to call a professional electrician to help you with rewiring. Electrical rewiring can help prevent electrical circuit overloads by providing a modern and safe electrical system that can handle the electrical load in your home or business.

Get a Professional Opinion

If you need help with preventing electrical circuit overloads in your home or business, call the experts at Mr. Electric to perform a thorough inspection of your electrical system to identify potential hazards and put preventive measures in place. Here at Mr. Electric, we take pride in offering professional electrical services, including electrical safety inspection, rewiring, electrical outlet installation, circuit breaker installation, electrical panel outlets, and more.