Take a Load Off: 3 Easy Ways to Avoid Overloaded Circuits

Need to take a load off? Your electrical system does, too. Overloaded electrical circuits are a common problem for many homeowners, especially if you have an older electrical panel. Let’s talk through what an overloaded electrical circuit is and how to avoid it.

What is an overloaded circuit?

Electrical circuits control the flow of electricity to dedicated sections of your home or business. They are designed for a specific amount of electrical flow.

When too many devices are plugged into one circuit, they pull more electricity than it can handle. The wires overheat, which should trip the breaker in your electrical panel and shut the power off to that circuit. If the breaker doesn’t trip, the overheated wires can cause damage or even a fire! It’s also a sign that there’s a problem with your panel (probably age).

So, how do you avoid overloading your circuits? Here are three tips straight from a TLC electrician to help you take a load off your electrical system:

1. Get a dedicated circuit for high-energy appliances

What is a high-energy appliance? It takes a lot of energy to produce heat, so any device or appliance that heats up is high-energy. We’re talking toasters, microwaves, hair dryers, curling irons…You get the idea. But as you may have guessed, the biggest energy hog is your space heater.

We’re not saying that you can’t use a space heater. They’re great for those cold, bare-toes-on-tile mornings or that one room that just doesn’t get warm enough. Just have a licensed electrician install a dedicated circuit so that you can protect your electrical system and keep your family safe from overloads.

2. Don’t use outlet extenders

You’ve probably seen outlet extenders and power strips on the internet or in home improvement stores. They look cool! What could be wrong with adding a few extra plugs?

What’s wrong is that your outlets and the circuit are not designed for that many plugs and the power they pull. It’s a quick way to overload the system. Our electricians have even seen them melt outlets! It’s especially risky if the outlet wasn’t installed correctly in the first place.

Pro Tip: What about surge protection? Many of us use power strips and surge protectors with extra outlets to protect our computers, TVs, and other electronics. We asked TLC electrician Martin about that. He suggests installing a whole-home surge protector instead. Surge protection is added directly to your panel and protects the entire house from power surges due to storms and lightning strikes.

3. Get an electrical inspection

Most mechanical things require regular maintenance to run smoothly. We take our cars in for tune-ups and get our HVAC systems maintained in the spring and fall. We even take ourselves in for annual physicals (not saying we’re machines, but you get the idea).

Your electrical system is no different. An annual electrical inspection is important for protecting your home and keeping things running correctly. Your electrical panel is designed to shut off power to overloaded circuits, but if the breakers and fuses are old, loose, or damaged, they might not get the job done. Have a licensed electrician check it out once a year to ensure everything is working correctly.

Pro Tip: A great way to save on annual maintenance is to sign up for TLC’s Preventive Maintenance Program. You’ll receive multiple maintenance visits throughout the year, including an electrical inspection! Our maintenance program includes:

• Spring cooling visit (swamp cooler startup or AC inspection)
• Fall heating startup visit
• Plumbing inspection
• Electrical inspection
• Drain camera inspection*

*Exclusions apply. Only homes with drain cleanouts are eligible for camera inspections.

Need help taking a load off your electrical system? Our electricians are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Just give us a call at 505-761-9644, or request an appointment online. If you have questions, you can Ask a Pro today.