Why Did Some Power Circuits Stop Working? First Things to Check

So, why does my electricity keep tripping? When a room or section of your home has no power, it disrupts your entire life. While a tripped breaker or ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet is the likely reason why you’re without electricity, the root cause behind the tripped outlet or breaker can vary.

For professional diagnostics and prompt electrical repairs, reach out to Alpha Heating & Air at 541-216-4539.

Why Do Circuits Stop Working?

Your circuits bring power to different sections of your house. T=because of this, only a single section will lose power if there is a problem.

How Circuit Breakers and GFCI Outlets Protect Your Home

Your breakers and GFCIs are designed to cut off power to protect your home. This safety response prevents fires, electric shocks, and additional damage from happening.

In coastal Oregon, nuisance trips occur relatively frequently because of our area’s humidity. Additionally, older homes in the area often have aging panels and undersized wiring, which increases the likelihood of having a GFCI outlet or a circuit breaker tripped.

First Things To Check

So, why did some power circuits stop working? In general, there are a few common causes that may be responsible.

Your Main Electrical Panel

First, you should check the breaker panel. If a breaker has tripped, it will be in the middle position between on and off. Then, you can reset it by turning it completely off and then back on again.

If the breaker immediately trips again, don’t reset it. This means that there is an underlying electrical issue, so you need to reach out for professional help.

GFCI Outlets in Bathrooms, Kitchens, and Garages

GFCI outlets are designed to protect your home from ground faults, electrocution, and fires by detecting if any of the electrical current is leaking out. They’re placed in humid areas, like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. If the GFCI outlet trips, it can cut off power to other outlets downstream. This problem is particularly common in older coastal homes due to moisture getting into damaged outlet boxes.

To resolve the problem, reset the button on the outlet. If the outlet will not reset, there may be a wiring fault, a damaged outlet, or another electrical issue.

Overloaded Circuits

When there are multiple high-draw appliances on a single circuit, it can trip the breaker. To fix this problem, you need to unplug any devices. Before you reset the breaker, you should redistribute the electrical load between different circuits.

If your circuit cannot handle normal use and redistributing appliances isn’t an option, you may need to install a dedicated circuit or a panel upgrade.

Your HVAC System’s Dedicated Circuit

If you haven’t found the answer to, “Why does my electricity keep tripping?”, it may be time to consider a dedicated circuit. When a breaker keeps tripping, it’s often a sign that too much current is flowing through the circuit that is protected by the affected breaker. This is the reason why appliances that draw a lot of power, such as AC units, heat pumps, and electric furnaces, normally have their own breaker.

In this situation, you should call one of our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians before you reset your breaker. Our team can evaluate overloaded circuits in southern Oregon. Through our professional inspection, we can determine if your issue is related to a failing capacitor, dirty coil, or refrigerant issue.

When To Reset vs. When To Call a Professional

As a homeowner, it helps to know when you should reset and when to call for help.

• Reset If: Your breaker is tripped and in the middle position. Only do this once.
• Reset If: Your GFCI outlet has a visible red button and no indication of damage or burning odors.
• Call for Help If: Your breaker keeps tripping, you smell burning odors, or your panel feels unusually warm to the touch.

Repeated breaker trips are a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself. When this symptom occurs, it’s an indication that you need a professional diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dead Circuits

Over the years, we’ve helped Bandon residents find answers to pressing questions about dead circuits.

Why did only some of my circuits stop working?

Often, you’ll notice that only one or some circuits have stopped working in your house. This is because circuits control specific sets of outlets or fixtures. When only a section of your home loses power, this is because a single breaker or GFCI outlet tripped and needs to be reset. The underlying cause only affected that area, which is why that specific circuit is the only one that tripped.

Can a tripped breaker cause damage?

The breaker is a safety mechanism designed to prevent overheating and electrical fires caused by overcurrent conditions. While a tripped breaker doesn’t damage your electrical system, the underlying reason why the breaker tripped may be dangerous. If you have an overload, short circuit, or faulty appliance, you’ll want to address those problems before additional damage is done.

Why does my breaker keep tripping?

When a breaker trips frequently, it means you likely have an overloaded circuit, wiring malfunction, or faulty appliance. If it’s an HVAC breaker, we can inspect your heating and cooling installation to determine the cause. Do not continue to reset the breaker until you find out what the cause is.

Is a dead circuit an emergency?

It depends. If your breaker won’t stay on, you notice a burning odor, or the panel feels warm, you should call for emergency help. For a simple tripped breaker or dead outlet, you can wait and schedule a repair appointment.

Schedule a Service Call With Alpha Heating & Air

So, why does my electricity keep tripping? Depending on your electrical system, appliances, and other factors, several issues could be responsible.

Often, an AC unit, heat pump, or electric furnace will run on dedicated breakers. When a system is aging or running inefficiently, it can cause the breaker to trip repeatedly. Tripped breakers can be an early sign of equipment or electrical system problems. Aging panels and damaged electrical wiring can cause the same symptom.

For same-day services and upfront pricing, reach out to Alpha Heating & Air at 541-216-4539 to schedule your professional diagnostics.