An circuit is only able to handle so much electricity at one time. If the demand for electricity exceeds the safe capacity of the circuit, your circuit breaker will trip.
Like the name suggests, a circuit breaker shuts off the flow of electricity so the circuit doesn’t overheat and start a fire. Continue reading to learn the warning signs of an overloaded electrical circuit. Our electrical contractors are ready to help!
If you recognize anything we describe in this blog post, call our residential electricians in Lowell as soon as possible.
Flickering Lights
Circuits with sockets are prioritized over your lighting circuit. Since lights are not as high a priority, they’re often the first to experience disruptions in power. This is why you may notice your lights flickering or dimming, especially after plugging in a new major appliance.
Often, older homes need their electrical system updated to keep up with the modern demand for electricity. The average American uses much more electricity than what they used 50 years ago. Some of the technology we use today includes microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, stoves, clothes washers, TV, smartphones, and much more.
If you don’t know the cause of your flickering lights, give us a call. Our residential electricians will be able to find the source of the problem and come up with a solution.
Burning Smell
An electrical fire smells like melting plastic. In reality, the burning smell could mean the wires have shorted or are melting which could lead to an electrical fire and that’s the last thing you and your home need.
If you smell something burning coming from one of your wall outlets, shut off all your power at the electrical panel until one of our electricians arrives.
Tripped Circuit Breaker
It only takes a fraction of a second for your circuit breaker to trip. In that fraction of a second, your circuit breaker prevents your home’s electrical system from being overwhelmed and potentially starting a fire.
If you recently plugged in a major appliance, you may be overloading your home’s electrical circuit. Likewise, having too many Christmas lights can also trip the circuit breaker.
If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, give us a call. Our experienced electrical contractors will be able to pinpoint the reason for the circuit breaker tripping. We’ll also advise you of your next steps so you can make an informed decision.
Unusual Noises
If your outlets and switches start buzzing, crackling, and/or sizzling then it’s highly likely you have an overloaded electrical circuit. As a result, the outlets and switches may be noticeably warm to the touch.
If you experience this or think you have an overloaded electrical circuit we highly recommend you…
Call Our Electricians in Lowell, MI
Your safety is always our first priority. If you suspect something is wrong with your home’s electrical system, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We take all our service calls seriously.
You can also trust our team to be polite and respectful while working in your home. To learn if you have an , call us today to schedule a service visit.
Our electricians in Lowell, MI are trustworthy, courteous, and hard-working. To request a service visit, call Flat River Electric at (616) 987-0596.
This blog post has been updated.
