Have you found yourself in the middle of a culinary masterpiece, only to have tripping breaker switches cut your project short? You likely scrambled over to the electrical panel, hoping it didn’t ruin your favorite double chocolate fudge cake or that succulent roast. If your oven keeps tripping the circuit breaker, this is a sign of an electrical issue.
To help you improve the safety of your house, we will break down why your oven might be tripping your breakers and what you could do to remedy the issue.
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Top Reasons Your Oven is Tripping the Electricity
Unfortunately, it’s not always as simple as a faulty breaker. Some of the most common reasons that circuit breakers trip while the oven is working include the following:
Power-Hungry Appliances and Fixtures
Each circuit can only handle a specific amount of power. When you run your oven, dishwasher, microwave, and other big machines all at once, you might just tip the scale. Your breaker trips as a safety mechanism to prevent overheating, which is why your home isn’t facing more potential fire hazards.
Why not confirm the overload by checking every appliance connected to the same circuit? If the combined wattage exceeds the circuit’s capability, a modern electrical panel installation and replacement could serve your needs better.
Overloaded Circuit
Was there a recent power surge or outage? Even with no other appliances connected, outages and the surges that follow can become a catalyst for a circuit overload, potentially triggering the automatic breaker function and causing power disruptions.
A qualified electrician will need to assess the damage and provide circuit breaker repair services to restore the safe distribution of electricity in your house.
Damaged Wires
How old is your property’s electrical system? Wires age, fray and break, and compromised lines don’t just cause short circuits that trip your breaker. They are also a serious safety concern.
If your oven is continuously tripping your electricity, keep an eye out for the warning signs below and contact a licensed electrician immediately:
- Flickering or dimming lights
- Scorch marks around your outlets
- Continuous tripping
- Visible damage
Read More: What is the Purpose of an Electrical Sub-Panel?
Defective Terminal Block
A terminal block is the nerve center of your oven. The terminal block is where the power cord connects to the electrical circuitry. It’s an integral component ensuring your appliance runs smoothly.
When it’s faulty, maybe from a loosened connection or corrosion, it causes fluctuations in power and leads to the oven tripping breaker systems. Since this component typically lies behind the oven’s back panel, it’s not readily visible, so it often flies under the radar until things go haywire.
Don’t try to open up the back panel and check the part for signs of damage. For safety reasons, electrical appliances are best left to the professionals. In this case, a defective terminal block can be quite a complicated job, and one small misstep could lead to serious injuries or oven damage.
Malfunctioning Components
Does your oven turn on without a problem but trip the electricity after a few minutes? Something within its inner workings might have a glitch. Possible components that could be involved include the following:
- Selector switch: This mechanism lets you choose the oven’s function (baking, broiling, or roasting). Watch out for other problems, like the appliance not responding to your adjustments while you bake.
- Fan: The fan is crucial for maintaining an even temperature throughout your oven while it’s cooking. If it isn’t working, the breaker trip might be a response to heat buildup. You may also notice that your food isn’t cooking as evenly as it should.
- Thermostat: Does your food cook too fast or too slow on top of an unpredictable loss of power? Your oven may have a faulty thermostat.
- Internal lamp: It might seem like an unlikely culprit, but that small light inside your oven can also cause a breaker issue. Watch out for dimming, flickering, or failing to turn on.
Common Electric Oven Issues and Ways to Respond
If the issues mentioned above don’t seem to fit, there are a few other reasons that your oven keeps tripping, including the following:
Corrosion
As a slow-acting yet destructive force, corrosion often results from prolonged exposure to heat, moisture, and air. Rusted or deteriorated parts in ovens can trip breakers. If you spot reddish-brown splotches in your appliance, don’t wait to call an electrician for repairs.
Loose Power Cord
Give your power cord a quick check. Does it look securely plugged in? Is the component in good condition without visible fraying or other damage?
A loose connection creates power arcing, where electricity jumps between two points and creates intense heat. Arcs will certainly trigger your circuit breaker to prevent a potential fire.
Read More: What Are the Best Types of Light Fixtures for Outdoor Decks?
Bad Control Board
The control board is what helps operate your oven. When it goes bad, your appliance might respond unpredictably or not respond at all. That will lead to the oven tripping electric failsafe. This is another job for the professionals who will ensure a safe electrical installation in your house.
Damaged Wires or Cables
Compromised electrical connections are ticking time bombs that can turn your cozy kitchen into a potential disaster zone. Unfortunately, they are not always easy to spot when hidden behind paneling or insulation. If you smell acrid odors from your oven or hear buzzing noises, schedule an assessment immediately.
Uneven Power Distribution
Finally, it’s wise to double-check the voltage requirement of your appliance and compare it with your property’s supplied power. Models manufactured in other countries might have different standards, and mismatched voltage levels can cause power issues, component damage, or fires.
Circuit Breaker Replacement, Installation, and Repair Services
If your oven keeps tripping breaker panels, the last thing you want to do is ignore it. Luckily, our team of licensed technicians provide dependable electrical safety inspections for homes in your local area. Do not procrastinate with hiring a professional to fix your own. It’s not just about the inconvenience of interrupted cooking—it’s a pressing safety hazard.
Whether the solution is a dedicated circuit or a component upgrade, our technicians have your back. Our team of expert electricians in Mooresville, NC offer extensive electrical panel installation services for homeowners. You can count on our staff for prompt and efficient service. Dial 1-800-642-4419 to book an appointment with our electricians.