How can I ensure that the circuit breaker will trip when multiple devices are plugged in while purchasing a new home from these deceiving developers?
Asked by Rüdiger Sondermann 
7 months ago
Last Updated: May 21, 2024
When you’re buying a new house, how can you make sure the circuit breaker will trip if you plug in too many devices at once? I always wonder if these developers are truthful about it.
Try plugging in a space heater and two dozen lights, you’ll see the difference!
Shared a funny experience where today he’s using one outlet for a space and another outlet for two laptops plus a monitor through a surge protector. Both outlets are connected to the same breaker, which keeps tripping. He finds it frustrating as in the past, he would use an air fryer and something small, and it would still trip.
Mentioned that if you have an older home but it’s new to you, the panel might require an upgrade. Unfortunately, many homes struggle to handle the electrical demands of all our devices.
Oh, by the way, it’s a brand new house.
Constructed by the folks over at DR Horton’s Horror story.
Oh man, that’s rough! Our new build had some issues too, especially with the electrical work. But after getting a whole home generator installed, we finally found a great electrician over the last few years.
Erick, do you know what type of breaker it is? If it’s a new construction, it should have AFCI breakers which prevent tripping due to shorts or overloads.
My new space heater tripped the breaker, which reminded me of a past issue with my Airfryer. I suspect poor electrical connections by the builder. How can I spot this in a new home? Getting an electrician to inspect seems like a good idea.
Space heaters usually have their own circuit, depending on the model you own.
When you’re buying a new home, make sure to get an independent inspector for your pre-delivery inspection, the amperage of the circuit breakers should be clearly marked. If the right wires are used and everything is in its place, the breakers should work properly. Your home, inspector, or an electrician can do some load testing to confirm the breakers are functioning as they should, but this is rarely necessary. GFCI systems are more likely to have errors than the basic circuit breakers.
This is absolutely the right answer. You nailed it! Great work!
Load testing may go beyond the usual home inspection, depending on your location. Testing GFCIs, receptacles, wire types, grounding, bonding, service entrance cable condition, double tapping, and checking for signs of damage are more common. Some areas may not require the main panel cover to be removed for inspection, and faceplates are usually left intact.
Load testing is not typically part of the norm here, but it could be considered if there are concerns – though it may be unnecessary. If the breakers and wire gauges appear to be in good condition, it’s likely fine.
An independent inspector plays a crucial role.
You can simply use basic math to achieve the same result. If most of your breakers are 20A and you’re in North America (where the maximum voltage is typically 120V), start by listing the maximum wattage of your appliances as indicated on the safety label. Remember to never exceed 80% of the breaker’s rating to prevent it from tripping. To be extra safe, aim for a maximum amperage of 16A through the breaker. You can calculate this using the formula Amps = watts / volts. Therefore, the recommended maximum safe wattage for a 20A breaker would be around 1920W, rounded up to 2000W for simplicity. Just check your appliance labels and ensure you’re not exceeding 2000W on a single breaker.
They produce testers that can perform that function even for a GFCI outlet.
You have the flexibility to plug in as many things as you need. A breaker can handle 100% of its amperage rating under normal conditions. However, if you plug in 2 space heaters, it may trip before 20 lights. So, it all comes down to what you’re plugging in.
When it comes to developers, depending on where you live, they really can’t cut corners. In Ontario, there are strict electrical codes that dictate things like circuit size, when to use a GFCI, and dedicated circuits for various appliances. If the building inspector isn’t doing their job, that’s a separate issue. Developers don’t have a say in how the house is wired or who inspects it.
If it’s a completely new house, you might not be a fan of the modern circuit breakers haha the arc fault stuff triggers too often.
Also expressed his agreement, stating that the situation is terrible.
Our electrician replaced the breakers in our 2015-built home, the one for our fridge kept tripping. After losing food multiple times, we had to find a solution.
Grab a hairdryer and switch it on 😆
Apart from having a good inspector, you could also Google the brand of the breaker.
+1 for Alex, that was a well-written response!
The number of devices doesn’t really have any impact on it.
These new GFCI breakers, especially the square D brand, are super sensitive, which is a good thing, just a bit touchy. If you plug in something like a vacuum cleaner that’s already on, the outlet’s arc could easily trip these necessary breakers. The circuit can probably handle just the heater.
I haven’t come across that before. Load testing circuits is not something I’m familiar with. What’s the concern there? It’s like pressure testing plumbing, it’s not a common practice, especially during resales. My town tests plumbing but not electrical loads.
Wasn’t the building inspected for electrical issues when they got the permits? State or local inspectors make sure everything is up to code. They’re not willing to take risks. The circuit breakers are tested by the manufacturer to ensure they work correctly. Maybe you could hire a third-party company to inspect it all and look at other things too.
Hey , you should check out Cy Porter inspections. Take a look at his electrical inspection videos. It might change your perspective.
I would recommend reaching out to the guy on Instagram who does cyfy home inspections. He has helped me with a few questions and seems to specialize in new construction. It’s too bad he’s not in my city, or I would definitely hire him.
I’ve only done electrical work on my parents’ and grandfather’s houses. The old code used to allow for a ground wire to be one size smaller than the conducting gauge. I’ve seen too many broken ground wires at switches and receptacles. It’s definitely better to have trippy gifs than risk getting electrocuted. The GFI probably saved my brother’s life once. The receptacle had been upgraded a couple of years before, but as a kid, he made a dangerous mistake with a pair of tweezers in the bathroom. I was about 20 feet away when I heard a scream, followed by a click. When I returned to the bathroom, I saw the tweezers with two blackened prongs and one shorted tine.
Check out this product that can help you determine if you’re approaching 15 amps!
https://www.amazon.com/P3-P4400-Electricity-Usage-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU/ref=asc_df_B00009MDBU&mcid=894967a5d3763483ad4c0e603eb50ff7?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80814222102178&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584413749784471&psc=1
Circuit breakers operate on a time-delay strategy. This means a 20-amp breaker can handle a 30-amp load if the load is gradually increased. A sudden spike in power will trip the breaker, but a slow and steady increase won’t. Heating elements tend to have quick power increases, while Christmas lights do not.
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