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If your electric oven keeps tripping the circuit breaker, it’s often due to a faulty heating element, an overloaded circuit, or moisture in the wiring. While this can be frustrating, it also poses potential safety hazards. Before taking any risks, try unplugging other appliances and checking for visible damage. If the issue persists, this guide will walk you through the most common causes, troubleshooting steps, and when to call a professional to ensure your oven is safe to use.
So, if your electric oven keeps tripping and you’re unsure what to do, book a repair with Domex Ltd. today. We serve London, Brighton, Nottingham, Leicester and the South East England. Check our full coverage area here.
And now, let’s get down to business. Keep reading to discover the causes and solutions to your tripping oven problems and when it’s advisable to call a professional.
Quick Fixes: Why Your Electric Oven Keeps Tripping & How to Fix It
| Issue | Symptoms | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Faulty Heating Element | Oven trips as soon as you turn it on | Inspect heating element for burns, cracks, or exposed wiring. Replace if damaged. |
| Overloaded Circuit | Other appliances turn off when the oven trips | Unplug other high-power devices and try a dedicated circuit for the oven. |
| Short Circuit in Wiring | Sparks, burning smell, or tripping as soon as powered on | Turn off power and inspect for frayed or burnt wires. Call an electrician if unsure. |
| Faulty Circuit Breaker | Breaker trips frequently even with low power use | Test the oven on a different outlet or have an electrician inspect the breaker. |
| Ground Fault (Moisture Issue) | Oven trips after cleaning or in humid conditions | Allow the oven to dry completely. Check for moisture in power connections. |
Common Symptoms of an Oven Tripping the Circuit Breaker
It’s a given that we use our electric ovens regularly in order to prepare food. But if you’re curious about why does my oven trip the breaker, there are several potential symptoms to explore first.
These may include:
Breaker trips immediately after turning on the oven:
If the breaker trips as soon as you turn the oven on, there could be a short circuit, a faulty heating element or an issue with the oven’s internal wiring.
Breaker trips midway through cooking:
If the breaker trips during use, it might indicate an overloaded circuit, overheating components or a malfunctioning thermostat.
Multiple appliances losing power:
If other devices on the same circuit stop working when the oven trips the breaker, it’s likely the oven is drawing too much current, causing the circuit to overload.
Repeated tripping:
If the breaker trips every time you use the oven, even after resetting it, there might be a persistent fault, such as damaged wiring or a defective component inside the oven.
Sparks, burning smell or smoke:
Sparks or a burning smell when using the oven are clear signs of electrical issues, such as frayed wires or a short circuit. This often accompanies tripping.
Oven display flickers or turns off:
If your oven has a digital display, it may flicker or shut off completely after tripping the breaker, indicating a power interruption.
Physical signs of damage:
Inspect the oven’s power cord, plug and outlet. If they show signs of wear, burns or damage, this could be related to the tripping issue.
Hard-to-reset breaker:
If the breaker is difficult to reset or trips again immediately, the problem may be severe, such as a major short circuit or a defective breaker.
Other potential symptoms include the oven turning off mid-use, no power going to the oven, leaving food uncooked and the oven tripping circuit breaker.
If left unaddressed, a tripping circuit can cause electrical fires or permanent damage to your appliance. Hence, professional oven repair could be the right answer to your oven tripping challenges.
Common Causes of an Oven Tripping the Circuit Breaker
Now that we’ve looked at some of the symptoms, let’s explore a few of the most common causes of why an oven may trip your circuit breaker.
1. Overloaded circuit
The oven might be drawing more power than the circuit can handle, especially if it’s running on the same circuit as other high-power appliances. These overloaded electrical circuits can trip the breaker to protect the wiring. In short, plugging too many appliances into the same circuit can overload it.
Domex’s practical tip: Reduce the load by unplugging unnecessary devices before testing the oven again.
2. Faulty heating element
If the heating element (bake or broil) is damaged or has a short circuit, it can cause the oven to draw excess current, leading to a trip. Therefore, it is common for a damaged or short-circuited heating element to cause a breaker to trip.
Domex’s practical tip: Check the heating element for burns or deformities. If you’re unsure how to replace it safely, contact us for professional assistance and circuit breaker troubleshooting.
3. Electrical short circuit
A short circuit within the oven’s wiring or components, such as frayed wires or a faulty control board, could result in a sudden surge of electricity, causing the breaker to trip.
Domex’s practical tip: Turn off the power at the breaker, unplug the appliance or disconnect the faulty wiring and inspect for damaged or exposed wires before repairing or replacing them.
4. Ground fault
If any electrical current escapes to the ground through faulty insulation or damaged components, it may cause the breaker to trip as a safety measure. This often happens in older ovens or those exposed to moisture.
Domex’s practical tip: Turn off the power at the breaker, inspect for moisture or damaged insulation causing the current to escape and repair or replace the affected components.
5. Faulty circuit breaker
Sometimes, the issue might not be the oven itself but the circuit breaker. A worn-out or overly sensitive breaker might trip even if the oven is functioning properly. This is often the case in older homes.
Domex’s practical tip: We suggest that you consult one of our electricians to assess the breaker’s condition.
6. Damaged outlet or plug
If the outlet or the oven’s power cord is damaged or loose, it can cause intermittent connections or sparks, which can trip the breaker.
Domex’s practical tip: Turn off the power, inspect the outlet or plug for burns, cracks or loose connections, and replace them if damaged.
7. Electrical faults in the wiring
Damaged or worn wires inside the oven or wall socket can lead to a short circuit.
Domex’s practical tip: Electrical faults require certified engineers to prevent further issues or hazards.
8. Thermal overload
If the oven overheats due to a faulty thermostat or ventilation issues, the internal components could trigger a thermal cutoff, tripping the breaker as a precaution.
Domex’s practical tip: Turn off the oven, allow it to cool completely, check for blocked vents or a faulty thermostat and ensure proper ventilation before using it again.
Troubleshooting Steps Before Calling a Professional
In order to carry out a faulty oven repair, you need to be familiar and comfortable with addressing heating element problems and faulty wiring in appliances, among other things. However, if you choose to carry out an initial inspection yourself, here are a few tips to consider:
- Turn off the power supply and unplug the oven.
- Inspect the plug and socket for visible damage.
- Test the oven on a different circuit (if feasible).
- Reset the circuit breaker to see if the issue persists.
Safety warning: If these steps don’t work or feel unsafe, stop troubleshooting immediately and book a repair with Domex Ltd.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes an oven to trip the circuit breaker?
An oven can trip the circuit breaker due to a faulty heating element, overloaded circuit, short circuit, or moisture buildup in the wiring. Identifying the cause early can help prevent electrical damage or fire hazards.
Can a faulty heating element cause a breaker to trip?
Yes, a damaged or short-circuited heating element can cause excess current draw, leading to a breaker trip. If your oven trips the breaker immediately after turning it on, inspect the heating element for burns or visible damage.
How do I fix my oven tripping the breaker?
- Unplug other high-power appliances to reduce electrical load.
- Check for a faulty heating element by inspecting it for damage.
- Look for signs of a short circuit, such as sparks or a burning smell.
- Test the oven on a different circuit to rule out breaker issues.
- If the problem persists, call a professional technician to diagnose and repair the fault.
Is a tripping oven dangerous?
Yes, a constantly tripping oven can indicate serious electrical faults that may lead to fires or electric shocks. It’s essential to identify and resolve the issue quickly, especially if you notice burning smells, sparks, or repeated tripping.
When to Call Domex Ltd for Professional Oven Repairs
At Domex, we completely understand how a faulty oven can throw a spanner in the works. It’s not just about disrupting your day and routine. It’s about safety and critical potential hazards that you need to avoid at all costs. That’s why we always advise that you consider getting professional help when your oven keeps tripping the circuit breaker for more confidence and peace of mind.
Signs you need professional help
So, if you are experiencing these signs with your oven, it’s time to call in a professional to help:
- Persistent tripping despite troubleshooting: Unresolved issues could indicate deeper electrical faults or damaged components.
- Burnt smell or visible sparks: There are critical dangers involved in operating an oven that shows signs of electrical damage, leading to safety concerns.
- Inconsistent performance: Recurring problems, such as uneven heating or failure to power on, often require expert diagnostics and repairs.
- Complex issues involving internal components: Complex problems, like faulty circuit boards or signs of faulty oven wiring, are best handled by certified engineers.
Why Choose Domex Ltd for Your Oven Repairs?
When your oven keeps tripping your circuit breaker, you need a professional helping hand to help resolve the issue. However, you also need to know that the workmanship will be impeccable, that the pricing will be affordable and that you’ll get a highly efficient service. That’s exactly what we at Domex offer each of our customers every single time they book with us.
In fact, booking your oven repair service with us also means:
- Convenience, as we serve the south east of England. From London to Leicester, we at Domex Ltd provide expert and local oven repair services across the South East
- You can book online in under two minutes
- We offer an emergency oven repair service within 24 hours, including hob repairs as well as same-day appliance repair
- Count on our approved engineers for any appliance brand, including Rangemaster, Bosch, Hotpoint, Neff, AEG, Beko and many more
- Trust us for affordable, transparent pricing for repairs with no hidden costs – guaranteed
- We also offer a 12-month repair warranty for total confidence and peace of mind
- We take pride in the fact that 95% of our repairs are fixed on the spot through genuine oven parts replacement, saving you time, effort and resources
Don’t let a tripping oven disrupt your day. Book your repair with Domex Ltd today and let our certified engineers handle the rest.
