Apartment Keeps Tripping Electrical Circuit
|
Why an Apartment Unit may be Tripping a Circuit Breaker: Why is my apartment tripping the circuit breaker? |
Tripping Circuit Breaker at Apartment
Electrical Question: Why is my apartment tripping the circuit breaker?
- I recently moved into a 6 unit apartment. For the past 8 days that I have lived there the breaker has tripped 5 times on different days.
- Once it tripped because I had the portable heater and the fridge plugged in different rooms.
- On other occasions it was because of different lighting combination.
- My point is that it tripped due to few things plugged into the wall.
- My main concern is that my apartment unit only has ONE breaker switch.
- Does this mean all my outlets are going into a single switch, and is this against code in Wisconsin.
- Please let me know who I can call to get this inspected and if it’s up to standard code.
Thank you.
Background: Vang, a Student from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Additional Comments: Very informative website.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Vang.
Why an Apartment is Tripping a Circuit Breaker
- First of all portable heaters typically draw a lot of power and may require their own circuit, so if the heater was plugged in with the refrigerator then it will no doubt trip the circuit.
- Vang, you state that there is only one circuit breaker for the whole apartment, and I’m wondering what size this circuit is.
- If the only circuit is a a 15 or 20 amp circuit then this will not be enough.
- Now I do not know the specifics about your apartment, such as the age and size of the unit, but in any case just one circuit will not be adequate.
- There are agencies in place that should provide assistance should you need it
- You should go through the process of informing the apartment manager of the problem and giving them the opportunity to correct the situation.
- If they do not take care of the situation then you can consult with your local Renters Rights or Housing Authority which can work with you about this problem.
- By the way, a safe dwelling should have the following:
- Smoke Detectors installed
- GFCI protected outlets
- in the bathroom
- and the kitchen
More about Electrical Wiring
Wall Outlet Wiring
Wiring Electrical Outlet for the Home
Home electrical wiring includes 110 volt outlets and 220 volt outlets and receptacles which are common place in every home. See how wiring electrical outlets for the home are done.
Circuit Breaker
Electrical Wiring Protection using Circuit Breakers
A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.
lighting
Home Lighting Articles
Home Lighting Articles covering recessed lighting, under cabinet lighting, lighting terminology and more.
Electrical Code
Electrical Code Articles
Electrical Code Directory covering AFCI circuit, electrical-boxes, electrical-circuit, electrical-code-outlets, electrical GFCI, electrical-grounding, electrical-project, electrical-services, electrical-underground, electrical-wiring, electrical-wiring-code, lighting-code, smoke-detector,
The following may also be helpful for you:
Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
|
||||||||
Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!The Non-Contact Electrical TesterThis is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!The Plug-In Outlet TesterThis is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!The Wire Stripper and Wire CutterMy absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use. |
||
| More articles about Renter Electrical Issue and Home Electrical Wiring: | |
| « Previous | Next » |
| Phone Jack Wiring and Splices | Wiring a Plug to be Controlled by a Switch |
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be precisely what we are looking for.
Thanks Again, Awesome Website!