Damaged or defective wiring in your stove could be a common cause of tripping your breaker. Over time, the wires become frayed or damaged due to exposure to heat or wear and tear. Additionally, rodents can sometimes gnaw through the wiring, leading to shorts and potential fires.
The problem could be either the oven or the wiring. The oven could be using more amperage than the circuit breaker is rated for, and thus tripping the breaker. Or, the problem could be with the wiring (for example, damaged insulation causing unwanted current in the wire), or the circuit breaker could be failing.
If your electric oven keeps tripping, the most likely culprit is the circuit. Unfortunately, the complexity of oven circuits will more than likely mean you will need an expert technician. The technician will unplug any other appliances connected to the same circuit as the oven. This should stop the oven from tripping.
Check for short circuits or damaged wiring: Inspect the power cord and the wiring within the stove for any signs of damage or exposed wires. If you notice any frayed or damaged wires, they may be causing a short circuit when the stove is plugged in.
Unplug all the appliances and reset the breaker. If it trips, call an electrician. If it doesn't, plug each appliance in one by one until you find out which one is causing the trip, and replace that appliance.
The most common culprit is usually the heating element. A short circuit at any stage of the oven's lifespan can cause wires in the heating element to detach and touch the metal frame of the appliance, triggering circuit breaker trips.
Start by turning off all the lights, appliances, and electronic devices in your home. Then, reset the main circuit breaker by switching it off and on. Afterward, turn on each circuit one at a time, and observe which one trips the breaker. Once you've identified the circuit, you can focus on narrowing down the problem.
If your breaker keeps tripping, it's typically an overloaded circuit, overheated appliance, electrical short, or ground fault issue.
Three of the most common reasons why this may happen are: Too many electrical appliances are in use together, which overloads the circuit. One of the electrical appliances in the house is faulty. There is a faulty power connection in one of the appliances.
Poor ventilation can cause the heat to build up to the point that the oven overheats and causes the thermostat to trip, again cutting out your oven in the process. This can be a common issue for new installations and can be a fundamental issue with the oven cavity itself.
The heating element is a crucial component responsible for heating the water inside the tank. Over time, these elements can deteriorate and eventually fail, leading to an electrical imbalance that trips the breaker.
The Circuit
If multiple devices have been linked to the same circuit as the cooker, a professional technician will simply unplug the other devices to identify the issue. This should stop the oven from tripping the RCD (residential current device) and an upgrade may be necessary.
The life expectancy of an electric oven is around 13 - 15 years. The life expectancy of a gas oven is around 15 years. The life expectancy of a dual-fuel oven is also around 15 years. However, the lifespan of these kitchen appliances depends on how frequently you use them.
Unplug or turn off the appliances or devices that are connected to the tripped circuit. To determine which appliance or device is causing your electricity to trip, you can unplug each one so you can find which one is causing the problem.
Every trip subjects the breaker to mechanical and thermal stress. MCBs are designed to handle a limited number of trips, typically ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 mechanical operations under normal conditions.
Average Circuit Breaker Replacement Costs
Replacing a standard 1-pole circuit breaker switch (15-100-amp): $100-$180. Replacing a 2-pole circuit breaker switch (50-200-amp): $180-$260. Replacing the main breaker switch: $200-$600. Installing new circuit breaker switch: $150-$300.
Sharing a circuit with other high-power appliances can cause overloading, leading to the breaker's tripping or even a fire hazard. To resolve this issue, one can install a dedicated breaker for the stove or relocate the stove to a circuit with sufficient capacities, such as a separate circuit for kitchen appliances.
Unplug all appliances on that problem circuit and switch off any immersion heaters (if you have one). Switch the tripped switch to the ON position and plug in the appliances one by one until the trip goes again. Leave that appliance unplugged, and have it repaired by a qualified electrician.
The simple answer is that, YES, circuit breakers can go bad, so your suspicions may be well-founded. Just like any other essential device in your home (e.g. your water heater, HVAC system, etc.), circuit breakers can quit working properly. That said, don't begin replacing your circuit breaker just yet.
Test for short circuits by resetting your breaker and plugging in items into different sockets. The device or socket that always trips the breaker likely has a short circuit. Have an electrician test for ground faults if you've already ruled out overloaded and short circuits.