Space heater trips the circuit breaker
This is a Hammer
Q: I have a space heater that, every time I turn it on, causes the circuit to shut off almost immediately. Is there something wrong with the wiring in my house? — David L., Lexington, Ky.
A: My first inclination is that something is wrong with the space heater, not the wiring. Many space heaters draw a lot of power, but a heater that regularly trips circuits may be faulty.
Run through a short checklist first: Do you plug the heater into the same wall outlet every time, or have you tried it throughout the house?
•Are there other electrical appliances sharing the same circuit?
•Is the space heater in good condition and less than 10 years old?
•Do the plug and power cord get very hot when using the heater?
•Is the outlet being used in good condition?
•Does the heater’s plug fit snugly into it?
•Does any other appliance trip the circuit when plugged into it?
If you cannot find anything wrong with either the space heater or the outlet, and there are few or no other appliances sharing the circuit, first take the space heater to an appliance service center to be checked by a professional (don’t repair a space heater yourself).
Should nothing be found wrong with the space heater, contact an electrician to inspect your home’s wiring.
Some quick tips on using portable space heaters safely: Never place a heater on furniture; place it on the floor instead. Clear several feet of space around the heater. Don’t run the power cord underneath a rug, and avoid using an extension cord, if possible. If you must use one, use only a UL- or ETL-rated extension cord marked No. 12 or No. 14 A WG (indicating the wire gauge).