3 Reasons Why your Circuit Breaker Might be Hot

Lots of us don’t pay attention to our consumer units until something goes wrong, like a circuit breaker trips. But you should keep an eye on it to prevent problems.

If you notice that the areas around your outlets have got darker or if your circuit breaker is hot, there are three reasons why this could be.

And if you catch it early, you’ll be able to prevent fires and stop the cost of fixing the problem from going up. Read on to find out the top three reasons why your circuit breaker might be hot.

Overloaded circuit

If the demand on your circuit is too high, it can cause it to generate heat. But what have you done to overload the circuit?

You could have used too many extension leads because you don’t have enough outlets, or it could be that you are using lots of new appliances that need more electricity than your wiring system was designed to provide.

electrical work circuit breaker
Image via Pinterest

Older wiring

As mentioned before, your wiring might not be able to cope with the demand. Even if your wiring was installed in the 1970s or 80s, it might not be sufficient to handle the amount of electrical appliances you use now.

Loose connections

A hot circuit breaker can be caused by loose electrical connections. This happens over time and is something that only a qualified electrician should look into and fix for you.

How to fix a hot circuit breaker

Don’t try to carry out electrical work yourself, even if you think you know how to fix a problem. Without the right qualifications and safety knowledge, you could be putting yourself and your family at risk.

It’s always best to hire a registered electrician, and it’s even better if they are able to self-certify that their work meets building regulations.

There are some DIY jobs that homeowners can do themselves, but check our article on DIY electrical work before you do anything.

If you need help finding an electrician to look over your electrics, fill in the form below and we’ll put you in touch with up to 4 local electricians who will give you a quote.

Emily Rivers

Emily Rivers is the Customer Experience Manager at Quotatis. She informs customers of the latest developments in a range of products so they can make the best choice for their homes and ensures they get the best out of our service.