This Is Why You Should Never Overload Your Circuit

By Author: Greg Gregoriou
Total Articles: 29
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Home electrical circuits, whether you’re running one or more appliances and lights, are designed to safely handle their maximum rated load, but what happens when you try to run more than that? You risk overload, which can result in all sorts of problems, from tripped breakers to house fires. A seasoned electrician in Manly states some of the major reasons why you shouldn't overload your circuits:-

Breaker Panel May Trip

While you may think that you’re increasing your light output by adding new bulbs, you could actually be setting yourself up for a breaker panel trip. Breakers are designed to protect sensitive circuit boards from excessive current. When a breaker trips, it’s an indication that there’s too much load on a circuit and it needs to be fixed or upgraded.

Fire Hazard

Some items plugged into your circuits could cause a fire if they overheat. Don’t overload them by plugging in more things than they can handle. For example, don’t put any more than two lamps on a 15-amp circuit; if you want to plug in other devices like a fan or space heater, you should upgrade to a 20-amp circuit.

Burned ...
... Out Breakers or Fuses

An overloaded circuit will often result in a tripped breaker or blown fuse. Burned breakers and fuses are serious and should not be overlooked. Please call an Emergency electrician manly right away to find the cause and fix the problem. If your breaker trips, look at what may have caused it to trip in order to avoid a similar situation occurring again. Never attempt to reset it yourself!

Possible Electrical Short Circuits or Damage to Appliances

If you overload your circuits, there is a risk of electrical short circuits or damage to appliances and electronics. This is because wiring within walls and ceilings is not designed to handle excessive amounts of electricity. The result could be fire, electrical shock, or equipment failure.

Smoke Alarms Won’t Work Properly

Smoke alarms are one of many safety devices that work off a low-voltage current. If you overloading circuits, smoke alarms won’t be able to function properly. That means people in your home may not get enough warning to escape a fire. It could also mean no alarms will sound at all if you’re wiring circuits for large appliances like dryers and washers—even though these create just as much danger as large-scale fires do!

As you see, overloading an electrical outlet or circuit can endanger your home’s safety. If you fear your circuit is overloaded, please call a local electrician Manly NSW.