If a circuit is overloaded it can cause considerable damage before any signs become apparent. The qualified electrician can however detect overloading before any serious damage is done by following a strict inspection sequence.
Reading the Warning Signs First
Typical signs that a circuit may be overloaded include: tripping of breakers, warm outlets, flickering of lights when other appliances are turned on.
Measuring the Load With a Clamp Meter
The measurement of a circuit can be taken with a clamp meter around a wire to report the current load in Amps. For a 15A circuit, the threshold would be 13A for a sustained period as shown in the picture.
Inspecting the Breaker Panel
Inside the panel, electricians look for double-tapped breakers or under-sized breakers for the loads they serve. These situations can present a persistent overloading situation that poses significant fire hazards. These types of situations and their fixes are described in home electrical safety guidance from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Checking Wire Gauge Against Breaker Rating
A 20-amp breaker needs 12-gauge wire while a 15-amp breaker needs 14-gauge wire. Thin wire of a smaller gauge than recommended by the size of the breaker can overheat before the breaker trips for an overloaded circuit.
What Electricians Recommend Next
Most cases of overloaded circuits can be fixed by re-balancing appliances on existing electrical circuits or adding new dedicated electrical circuits for high current using appliances like refrigerators and washers.
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Catching an overloaded circuit before it causes damage to your home is easy to do and can help to prevent an electrical fire.
