Why does my space heater keep tripping my breaker?
Common Reasons Why a Heater Might Trip the Breaker
The most likely reason is that the heater is drawing too much current and overheating that circuit. This can be dangerous, so the breaker shuts off to protect you. A second reason is that you might have too many other appliances on the circuit.
Can a space heater trip circuit breaker?
Don’t Overload Circuits
An electric space heater trips the circuit breaker when the circuit is overloaded and cannot handle any more energy flow. If you are running more than one heater on the circuit, it can cause the fuse to blow up and the circuit to trip.
Will a 1500 watt heater trip a breaker?
A 1500 watt space heater (on high setting) will draw 12.5 Amps. When a few lights or a television are on the same circuit, the 15 Amp limit is quickly reached and the breaker will trip.
Why does my 15 amp breaker keep tripping?
If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, it’s usually a sign of something wrong with the circuit. There could be a short circuit in one of the appliances or somewhere in the wiring. There could be a ground fault causing the breaker to keep tripping. There could be a circuit overload.
Can I replace a 15 amp breaker with a 20 amp breaker?
If your wiring is of the correct gauge, you can change a 15-Amp circuit breaker to a 20-Amp breaker. A 15-Amp circuit uses a 14-gauge wire. A 20-Amp circuit breaker uses a 12-gauge wire. If the copper wire is 12 AWG, you can replace the 15A breaker with a 20A breaker.
How many amps does a space heater draw?
Electric space heaters use 12.5 Amps on a dedicated circuit. It’s important to keep in mind that you can overload a 15 amp circuit if you connect too many space heaters. On average, a 1500-watt space heater will draw 12.5 Amps on high and may trip a circuit breaker.
Can I use a surge protector with a space heater?
Notice that we specifically said wall outlet: Manufacturers advise against plugging space heaters into surge protectors, extension cords, plug timers, GFCI outlets (the kind with the test and reset buttons), or really anything that’s not a wall outlet.
Can I plug a space heater into a heavy duty extension cord?
You can use a heavy-duty extension cord with your space heater. But not all heavy-duty extension cords can work with a space heater. This means you need a special heavy-duty extension cord to enable your space heater to work with ease. Normally space heaters require a high current supply to work.
Is it OK to plug space heater into extension cord?
Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire.
How do space heaters start fires?
The leading cause of space heater fires is heating equipment placed too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses, curtains, bedding, paper, or flammable liquids. If ignition is sparked by a heater left on and unattended, a major fire can easily result.
What type of space heaters cause house fires?
Whether radiant or convection heaters, electric heaters can cause shock if components such as the cord, plug or housing are damaged and allow exposure to electrical current. This could ignite a fire or cause an electrical burn.
Is it OK to leave space heater on all night?
A modern space heater can be very safe to keep on for long unsupervised periods of time, including while sleeping. Be sure your heater is certified by one of the three major testing organizations and has features like automatic shutoff, tip over protection, a shut off timer, and adjustable thermostat.
Can space heaters cause electrical fires?
A Leading Cause of Fires
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that approximately 1,200 fires a year are caused by portable electric space heaters.
Can you leave a space heater on 24 7?
Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat; don’t use them to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes. Run it in spurts. Only use your heater for short periods of time; it shouldn’t be left on 24/7.
What is the safest kind of space heater?
Sealed combustion heaters are much safer to operate than other types of space heaters, and operate more efficiently because they do not draw in the heated air from the room and exhaust it to the outdoors. They are also less likely to backdraft and adversely affect indoor air quality.
