How To Fix A Refrigerator Thats Tripping A Breaker

If you have ever experienced your refrigerator tripping the breaker, you know how frustrating and inconvenient it can be. Not only do you risk losing your food, but you also have to deal with the hassle of resetting the breaker and finding out what caused the problem. In this post, we will explain some of the common reasons why your refrigerator keeps tripping the breaker and how to fix them.

The main causes of a refrigerator tripping the breaker are an overloaded circuit, a short circuit, a ground fault surge, or a faulty refrigerator component. Depending on the cause, you may need to unplug other appliances, replace the wiring, install a GFCI outlet, or repair or replace the refrigerator part.

What is a Circuit Breaker and Why Does It Trip?

A circuit breaker is a device that protects your electrical system from overloading or shorting. It monitors the amount of current flowing through a circuit and shuts off the power when it detects an abnormality. This prevents damage to your appliances, wiring, and potential fire hazards.

There are different types of circuit breakers, but the most common ones are standard breakers and GFCI breakers. Standard breakers are designed to trip when the current exceeds the rated capacity of the circuit. GFCI breakers are more sensitive and trip when they detect a ground fault, which is when electricity leaks from the hot wire to the ground wire or another conductive surface.

How to Troubleshoot a Refrigerator Tripping Breaker

If your refrigerator keeps tripping the breaker, you need to identify the cause and fix it as soon as possible. Here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot the problem:

1. Unplug other appliances from the same circuit. Sometimes, the breaker trips because the circuit is overloaded with too many appliances drawing power at the same time. This can happen especially if your refrigerator is plugged into an extension cord or a power strip with other devices. To test this, unplug everything else from the circuit except the refrigerator and see if the breaker still trips. If not, you need to redistribute your appliances to different circuits or upgrade your electrical panel.
2. Check for a short circuit. A short circuit occurs when the hot wire touches the neutral wire, causing an electric surge. The resulting heat will damage the wire insulation and exacerbate the problem. To check for a short circuit, unplug the refrigerator and plug in another electrical appliance. If the breaker trips again, you have a short circuit in your wiring and you need to call an electrician to fix it.
3. Check for a ground fault surge. A ground fault surge happens when electricity leaks from the hot wire to the ground wire or another conductive surface, such as water or metal. This can cause a shock hazard and trip the breaker. To check for a ground fault surge, you need to use a GFCI outlet, which is designed to detect and prevent ground faults. If your refrigerator is not plugged into a GFCI outlet, you should install one or use an adapter. If your refrigerator is already plugged into a GFCI outlet and it keeps tripping, you may have a faulty outlet or a faulty refrigerator component.
4. Check for a faulty refrigerator component. Sometimes, the problem is not with the circuit but with the refrigerator itself. Some of the common refrigerator parts that can cause a breaker to trip are:

• Faulty compressor: The compressor is the motor that pumps refrigerant through the system and cools down your fridge. If it is defective or worn out, it can draw too much current and overload the circuit.
• Defrost heater issues: The defrost heater is an element that melts ice buildup on the evaporator coils of your fridge. It is controlled by a timer and a thermostat that regulate its temperature and cycle. If these parts are malfunctioning or damaged, they can cause the defrost heater to overheat or stay on too long, causing a short circuit or a ground fault.
• Broken fridge fan: The fridge fan circulates air inside your fridge and helps maintain a consistent temperature. If it is broken or obstructed by dust or debris, it can overwork and draw too much power.
• Broken thermostat: The thermostat monitors and controls the temperature inside your fridge. If it is broken or inaccurate, it can cause your fridge to run too cold or too warm, which can affect its performance and efficiency.

To check for these issues, you need to access and inspect each part individually and test them with a multimeter or another tool. If you find any signs of damage or malfunction, you need to replace them with new ones.

FAQs

• How do I reset my breaker after it trips? To reset your breaker after it trips, you need to locate your electrical panel and find the switch that corresponds to your refrigerator’s circuit. It should be in the off position or in the middle. To reset it, you need to turn it off completely and then turn it back on. You should hear a click when it is reset.
• How do I know if my refrigerator is plugged into a GFCI outlet? A GFCI outlet is an outlet that has two buttons on it: a test button and a reset button. The test button is used to check if the outlet is working properly and the reset button is used to restore power after a ground fault. If your refrigerator is plugged into a GFCI outlet, you should see these buttons on the outlet faceplate.
• How do I prevent my refrigerator from tripping the breaker in the future? To prevent your refrigerator from tripping the breaker in the future, you should follow these tips:
• Plug your refrigerator directly into a dedicated wall outlet and avoid using extension cords or power strips.
• Use a GFCI outlet or an adapter for your refrigerator and test it regularly.
• Keep your refrigerator clean and well-maintained and replace any faulty or worn-out parts as soon as possible.
• Avoid overloading your circuit with too many appliances and upgrade your electrical panel if necessary.

Conclusion

A refrigerator tripping the breaker can be a frustrating and costly problem, but it can also be a sign of a serious electrical issue that needs to be addressed. By following the steps above, you can troubleshoot and fix the problem yourself or call a professional for help. Remember to always exercise caution when dealing with electricity and appliances and consult an expert if you are unsure or uncomfortable.