How to protect the heater from tripping the switch? (Checklist of 10 items)

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How can I prevent the heater circuit breaker tripping?

If you want to keep the heater from tripping the circuit breaker, this article will help you.

Most often, heaters consume a lot of electricity. Because of this, the circuit breaker may trip regularly. But with the right method, you can prevent the switch from tripping. I have dealt with these issues as an electrician and hope to give you some advice.

As a rule of thumb, to stop the heater circuit breaker from tripping, follow this checklist.

Check heater power requirements.
Change heater settings.
Check the heater on a different outlet or in the room.
Turn off other nearby devices.
Replace heater circuit breaker.
Use a suitable breaker or fuse.
Get rid of any extension cords.
Check the heater for overheating.
Check heater for electrical damage.
Place the heater on a level surface.

Continue below for a detailed explanation.

How can I prevent the heater circuit breaker tripping?

Heaters are an excellent solution for heating one room or a small area. Although these heaters are small, they absorb a significant amount of electricity. Most heater users complain about the switch tripping.

You should fix the heater switch operation as soon as possible to avoid more serious problems. So, here are ten steps you can follow to fix the heater switch tripping.

Step 1. Check heater power requirements.

Checking the heater's power input is the first thing you should do. If your heater is rated for 220V, you must use it with a 220V outlet. However, if you use it in a 110V outlet, the circuit breaker may trip.

Then check the heater power. The heater can consume a large number of watts. For example, some heaters may require 1000 watts per hour, and this high demand may overload the circuit breaker.

Another thing you should check is the BTU value. BTU, also known as the British Thermal Unit., is an important indicator for measuring heat in air conditioners and heaters. A heater with a higher BTU requires more power. Therefore, it is advisable to select a heater with a low BTU so that the heater does not trip the circuit breaker.

Step 2 - Check heater settings

After checking the heater power, you can also check the heater settings. Most often, modern heaters can have several different settings. For example, you can define them as low, medium, and high.

Be sure to check if the heater is running on high settings. As you can imagine, high settings require more power, which will put pressure on the circuit breaker. Eventually, the circuit breaker may trip due to these high settings. Adjust the settings to a lower position and start the heater. This will prevent the switch from tripping.

Step 3: Test the heater at a different outlet or in a different room.

Testing the heater on a different outlet or in a different room is a good idea if the heater keeps tripping the switch. The socket may cause the switch to operate regularly. You may be dealing with a faulty outlet.

First plug the heater into another outlet in the same room. If the switch still works, plug the heater into an outlet in another room. This might fix the issue.

Quick-Tip: If you find a faulty outlet, be sure to replace it with a new one.

Step 4Turn off other nearby devices

Connecting too many appliances to the same outlet or circuit breaker can place unwanted stress on the circuit breaker. When this happens, the circuit breaker may trip. Therefore, if a heater is connected to such an outlet, turn off other electrical appliances.

Or sometimes multiple outlets can drive one circuit breaker. If so, identify such switches and turn off other outlets (except the heater circuit breaker). This is a simple yet effective way to prevent the circuit breaker heater from tripping.

Step 5 - Replace the Circuit Breaker

Sometimes replacing the circuit breaker is the only logical option. For example, you may be dealing with an old or broken circuit breaker. Or the circuit breaker rating may not match the heater standard. Either way, replacing the switch is the obvious solution.

Here are some simple steps to replace the circuit breaker.

Turn off the main switch at the electrical panel.
Find the old/broken circuit breaker you want to replace.
Flip the switch to the "off" position and wait a few minutes (this will discharge any electricity left inside the switch).
Pull out the old breaker.
Take the new switch and place it inside the electrical box.
Keep the new switch in the off position.
Turn on the main power supply.
Turn on the new switch and apply power to the heater.

Step 6 - Use the correct circuit breaker for the heater

The circuit breaker rating is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a circuit breaker for a heater. Heaters consume a large amount of energy from the main panel. Therefore, the main panel must have a suitable circuit breaker to supply power to the heater. Otherwise, the heater may overload and shut down.

Also, if you are using a universal heater circuit breaker, it will likely work. Instead, use a dedicated circuit breaker for such operations.

Quick-Tip: General purpose circuit breakers handle the power requirements of an entire room. On the other hand, a dedicated switch ensures only the power consumption of the heater.

Step 7 - No extension cords

The use of an extension cord is often not suitable for such high power demanding circuits. Truth be told, power strips can't take that kind of power. So, remove any extension cord to prevent the switch from tripping.

Step 8 - Check the heater for overheating

The breaker will trip if there is an electrical problem in the electric heater circuit. Overheating is one of the main problems with most heaters and can lead to shutdowns. So, check the heating element for overheating. If the heater shows any signs of overheating, try to figure out the problem.

Always remember that severe overheating can lead to a fire in the wiring.Step 9 - Check the heater for electrical damage

If none of the above steps solves the problem with the switch tripping, the problem may be with the electric heater. Disconnect the heater from the power source and inspect it for electrical damage. If you do not have the skills to do this, seek the help of a professional electrician.

Step 10 Place the heater on the stove top.

Placing an electric heater on an unstable surface can cause problems with balancing the heaters. Sometimes this can affect the current and trip the breaker. In this case, place the heater on a level surface.

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