An oven circuit breaker is extremely important in protecting wires from getting hot and causing fires. However, it’s essential to know that a circuit breaker has limitations. When the electrical power exceeds what the breaker can handle, it will automatically shut off as a safety precaution.
Additionally, having power outlets for home appliances doesn’t necessarily mean that each appliance has its dedicated circuits. Let’s explore why your oven keeps tripping the circuit breaker and ways to resolve the issue.
Table of Contents
Why Your Circuit Breaker Is Tripping
There are various reasons why your oven keeps tripping the breaker. The more you understand, the better equipped you will be to protect yourself and your family. Here are four key points to consider:
1. Circuit Overload
One of the primary causes is circuit overload. This occurs when an appliance requires more current than the circuit can handle, usually because multiple devices are being used at the same time on the same circuit. One way to address this issue is by redistributing the power load among circuits.
2. Short Circuit
Short-circuiting is often a reason for circuit breakers to trip. It happens when one wire with insulation comes into contact with another wire, increasing amperage. This can cause the circuit breaker for the oven to trip. Short circuits often occur in aging or deteriorated wiring systems where cracks or frays may have developed over time.
3. Malfunctioning Appliance
Appliance issues can also trigger issues with a circuit breaker. If the oven in your kitchen keeps tripping the breaker, it could be because the appliance is drawing excessive electricity due to an internal defect or malfunction.
An internal component of an appliance might have worn out over time, which forces the unit to draw more power than usual for optimal performance. In such scenarios, it’s necessary to disconnect and repair the faulty appliance before using it again.
Read More: Can a Loose Wire Cause a Short Circuit in a House?
4. Ground Fault
Lastly, ground faults can be why your oven keeps tripping the circuit breaker. This happens when a circuit’s hot wire comes into contact with a metal component or another wire. Although similar to a short circuit, the key difference is that the fault lies outside the wire in a ground fault rather than within. Understanding these potential causes can aid you in diagnosing the issue effectively.
Ways to Respond to a Malfunctioning Oven
As previously mentioned, various factors related to the oven may lead to recurrent circuit breaker tripping. While there could be numerous other causes for the electricity to trip, the ones mentioned above are the primary suspects.
This diagnostic process involves a method of elimination to pinpoint the actual issue. You might conduct this diagnosis independently if you have experience with electrical components. However, if you harbor any doubts or uncertainties, it’s best to contact a professional to receive emergency electrical services for your appliance.
1. Circuit Overload
Examining potential circuit issues is crucial, which a trustworthy technician should do. A certified electrician will determine if multiple appliances are connected to the same circuit as the oven. If this is the case, all appliances should be disconnected, leaving only the range operational. It should ideally prevent the circuit breaker from tripping.
2. Wiring
A professional will likely evaluate the current flow when the electric oven is turned off. Ideally, this reading should be zero. If the current measurement exceeds 0.3A, it indicates a problem with the wiring of the oven.
3. Oven Component Issue
If you suspect the oven is causing the issue, try connecting only the stove to the circuit breaker. Next, switch the oven on at the lowest temperature setting. If there is no immediate tripping of the breaker, it implies the circuit associated with the oven isn’t short-circuiting.
Fixing an Oven’s Circuit Overload
Initially, you must determine whether the oven’s power consumption is overloading the circuit. Is the issue the circuit or the oven? Since diagnosing the root cause of the short circuit can be complex, particularly with intricate electrical setups, we recommend seeking professional help.
A skilled electrician will check if multiple appliances are connected to the same circuit as your oven. If this is the case, all other appliances will be disconnected, leaving only the oven connected to the circuit. The oven will then be switched on to see if it causes the circuit to trip again.
The other appliances should be reconnected to different circuits if the circuit remains stable. If the circuit trips, consider upgrading to a higher amp circuit breaker. Also, due to the excessive power load, potential faults in the circuit breaker and wiring issues should be examined.
Read More: Top Types of Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Outlets
Fixing Oven Issues
Let’s dig into the best way to fix oven issues. Follow these steps for the best results.
- If you suspect the issue lies within an internal component of the oven, ensure the oven is the only device connected to the circuit breaker. After verifying this, turn the oven on at a low temperature. If the oven’s circuit breaker doesn’t trip right away, it indicates there is no short in the circuit at the outlet—and that is a positive sign.
- Gradually increase the oven’s temperature. If the circuit breaker trips during this process, the problem likely originates from the heating element.
- Typically, an oven has two distinct heating elements. If you possess a multimeter, you can use it to check these elements for continuity to identify if one or both are defective, thereby determining which one needs to be replaced.
- If your heating elements are functioning correctly, other heating components within your oven could be the source of the problem. These include the selector switch (which modifies the oven’s functions), thermostat, fan, and internal lamp. If these switches are faulty, they may appear burnt or damaged. It would be beneficial to have a wiring diagram of your oven to help you locate these switches.
- The most common culprit is usually the heating element. A short circuit at any stage of the oven’s lifespan can cause wires in the heating element to detach and touch the metal frame of the appliance, triggering circuit breaker trips.
Always consult a professional if you are uncomfortable or inexperienced with electrical repairs.
Electrical Panel Installation and Repair Services
If you are struggling to determine why your oven is continuously tripping the breaker, give our professionals a call at (732) 638-4317 to book an appointment. Our team of expert electricians in Clifton, New Jersey offer exceptional circuit breaker repair and replacement services for households.
We also offer dependable electrical panel installation services and are available to help you upgrade an outdated system in your house. Our electricians stand out for their expertise and professionalism. We always deliver top-tier services.
You can trust our team to provide reliable, efficient, high-quality solutions. Our dedication to customer satisfaction is unmatched, making them the go-to choice for all your electrical panel needs. Book your service today.