Circuit Breakers

Circuit Breaker Replacement in Portland

Reliable Circuit Breaker Repair Services in Portland, Clackamas, Oregon City & the Surrounding Areas

When you need your circuit breaker to be repaired or replaced, make sure you have a reliable electrician on your side. At A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical, our team is backed by 50+ years of service excellence and has everything it takes to provide the safe and dependable electrical services you deserve. If your circuit breaker is acting up, you can count on us for a swift diagnosis and an effective repair or replacement. Using the most advanced tools and technology, our licensed and certified electricians always get the job done right the first time because your safety is our top priority.

Emergency Circuit Breaker Repairs Available

Electrical problems are no joke. If your system is acting up, you need service right away. That’s where A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical comes in. Committed to being there for you when you need us most, our team is on call and ready to provide emergency repairs, with no overtime fees.

What Is a Circuit Breaker & What Does It Do?

A circuit breaker is an incredibly important safety device that is central to your electrical system. Circuit breakers (essentially resettable fuses) are designed to safely limit the amount of power moving through your home’s circuits to prevent overloads that could result in damaged or destroyed electrical appliances, overheated or melted wires, or even an electrical fire.

Circuit breaker boxes contain various switches (these are the circuit breakers) that trip when too much power travels through a circuit. This cuts power off from that circuit to prevent overloading and keep your home safe. To reset a circuit breaker, you can manually flip the switch back to allow power to begin flowing through that circuit once again.

When to Schedule Circuit Breaker Repairs or Replacements

Because your circuit breakers are critical safety components of your electrical system, it is incredibly important to be able to recognize the signs that they aren’t functioning properly. The moment you detect that something is amiss with your electrical system, bring in a qualified electrician to ensure your home is protected.

Signs You Need Circuit Breaker Repair or Replacement:

• The circuit breakers trip frequently
• The circuit breakers aren’t resetting properly
• Lights dim or flicker when certain electrical appliances are in use
• The electrical panel smells like it is burning
• You experience electrical shock when you plug or unplug certain appliances
• The electrical panel is warm to the touch
• The electrical panel is making strange sounds

Before you attempt to troubleshoot a circuit breaker, read our blog to find out how to check circuit breakers safely. No matter what problem you think you have identified, do not attempt to handle electrical repairs on your own.

Electrical work is serious business and can easily result in injuries or death when not performed correctly, so always reach out to A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical for your repairs or replacements. Our team is fully trained in safety procedures and knows how to effectively repair or replace circuit breakers without putting your health or home at risk.

How often should circuit breakers be replaced?

Circuit breakers are critical components in your electrical system, providing protection against overloads and short circuits. While circuit breakers are designed to last for decades, they do not have an indefinite lifespan and may need replacement due to wear, damage, or outdated technology. The frequency of replacement depends on various factors, including the age of the breaker, the environment it's in, and the frequency of tripping. Here are some guidelines to consider:

• Age of the Breaker: Circuit breakers can last anywhere from 30 to 40 years, but if your breaker is approaching this age, it may be time for a replacement, even if it appears to be functioning well.
• Frequent Tripping: If a circuit breaker frequently trips, it could indicate an underlying issue, such as a short circuit or an overloaded circuit. Repeated tripping can cause wear, reducing the breaker’s effectiveness.
• Visible Damage: Signs of rust, scorching, or a burnt smell near the breaker box are indicators that the circuit breaker might be damaged and should be replaced.
• Electrical Upgrades: If you've upgraded your home’s electrical system or added new appliances, older circuit breakers may no longer be sufficient and should be updated to handle the increased load.

What Causes a Circuit Breaker to Trip?

A circuit breaker trips when it detects an issue in the electrical circuit, acting as a safety mechanism to prevent damage and hazards. There are several common causes for a circuit breaker to trip, each indicating different potential problems within the electrical system.

Understanding these causes can help in troubleshooting and resolving electrical issues effectively:

• Overloaded Circuit: One of the most frequent reasons for a breaker to trip is an overloaded circuit, which occurs when too many devices are drawing power simultaneously, exceeding the circuit's capacity.
• Short Circuit: A short circuit happens when a hot wire comes into direct contact with a neutral wire, causing a large current flow and tripping the breaker to prevent overheating and potential fire.
• Ground Fault: Similar to a short circuit, a ground fault occurs when a hot wire touches the ground wire or the side of a metal outlet box, creating a surge of electricity.
• Faulty Appliances: Sometimes, a malfunctioning appliance with internal electrical issues can cause the circuit to trip.
• Wiring Issues: Loose, damaged, or deteriorating wiring can lead to intermittent tripping as it causes irregular current flow.
• Arc Fault: An arc fault is caused by arcing or sparking, which can occur due to damaged or loose wiring connections, leading to the breaker tripping to prevent electrical fires.

Benefits of Upgrading Your Circuit Breaker Panel

While installing a new circuit breaker panel might seem like a real pain, A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical makes the installation process easy as can be.

Some of the Key Benefits of Upgrading Your Circuit Breaker Panel Include:

• Increases your home’s safety
• Provides your family with more consistent, reliable power
• Raises the value of your home
• Enables you to add more circuits and appliances
• Lowers the risk of power surges reaching your appliances

Best of all, a circuit breaker panel upgrade provides you with peace of mind. There is nothing better than knowing that your home is equipped with an updated, safer electrical system. When you’re ready for an upgrade, give our Portland circuit breaker pros a call to schedule an electrical inspection and get started on the replacement process.

Delivering the Quality Service You Deserve

In addition to emergency repairs, our team provides upfront pricing, prompt service, special financing options, and plenty of guarantees, including a money-back guarantee, a comfort guarantee, a performance guarantee, a no lemons guarantee, a no surprises guarantee, a property protection guarantee, an apples to apples guarantee, and a no-risk guarantee!