Blow dyers and anything that heats up, can use more power than we realize. In new homes, a dedicated circuit is ran to each bathroom, however in older homes, the same circuit may be used for several rooms and bathrooms.
The house we currently own was built in 1981. Not too old for a house, but consider everything that has changed since 1981.
There is now a TV in almost every room. Internet throughout the house and most items are wirelessly connected.
According to “The Internet of Devices,” the average household has more than 20 devices that connect to their internet. Households are much more dependent on electrical devices so the circuitry of older houses can have a hard time keeping up.
This brings me back to my blow dryer and why it trips the breaker. There are 2 bathrooms and a bedroom on one circuit.
So while I am using my blow-dryer, my daughter may be using her curling iron in the downstairs bathroom, fans are running and lights are all taking power. [remember; things that heat up take a lot of power] turn on one more thing and the breaker trips.
The breaker trips because I am drawing too much power on one circuit and the wire in the circuit is heating up. It’s getting to hot and causing a fluctuation in the voltage which is then sensed by the breaker, tripping to keep the wire from catching on fire. So the breaker really is a life safety device.
Even though I do things like turn on to many items, the breaker lets me know that I need to be careful with my power usage.
If your breaker trips with just the hair dryer [or something that heats] it is likely the circuit will need replaced.
Remember, the breaker is for safety and if it trips, you are likely doing something wrong.
