The winter season is here and with it comes the need for reliable, efficient, and cost-effective ways to keep our homes warm. Electric heaters are a popular choice because of their versatility – they can be used both indoors and outdoors, and are generally easy to install. But did you know that an electric heater can trip a circuit breaker? This can be a major inconvenience if it happens during a cold winter night, but understanding how a heater and circuit breaker relate can help you prevent this from happening.
Circuit breakers are designed to protect our electrical appliances and prevent them from overloading. When an appliance consumes more electricity than the circuit can handle, the breaker trips, and the power shuts off. As it is not uncommon for electric heaters to draw a high level of current, the chances of the breaker tripping are increased, especially if the heater is used for a long duration. With this in mind, it’s important to understand how to limit the chance of your electric heater tripping a circuit breaker.
There are a few key factors that affect whether or not a circuit breaker will trip because of your electric heater. The size of the circuit, the type of heater, and the amount of time the heater is being used all play a role in determining how much power the circuit can handle.
When it comes to the size of the circuit, it’s important to make sure that you’re using a circuit that can handle the load of the heater. For example, most portable electric heaters require a circuit that can handle at least 15 amps. If you’re using a larger infra-red heater, however, you may need to upgrade to a 20 amp circuit. Make sure to check the heater’s instructions before attempting to install it to make sure the circuit is large enough to accommodate the power requirements.
The type of heater is also an important factor. Infra-red heaters are generally less prone to tripping a circuit breaker because they warm the area without drawing excess current. Conversely, convection heaters can draw more power and therefore have a greater chance of tripping the circuit breaker.
Finally, the amount of time the heater is being used can also affect its power consumption. Electric heaters should not be left on for prolonged periods of time as this can cause them to consume more electricity and potentially trip the circuit breaker. If possible, it’s best to use an automated timer that will turn the heater off after a certain amount of time.
By following these tips, you can avoid having your electric heater trip a circuit breaker and enjoy a warm, comfortable home throughout the winter months.
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