_{Protecting Your Home from Electrical Hazards} Circuit Breaker Electrician in Santa Barbara, CA

You may notice various circuit breakers in your electrical panel that don’t all look the same. All circuit breakers are responsible for interrupting the flow of electricity if they see a problem such as overloading or a short.

Here are the three types of breakers you may notice in your home:

• Standard:

  These breakers can be single-pole and double-pole. Essentially, they can monitor electricity through one wire or two. Single-pole circuits are the most common and accommodate under 30 amps with 120 volts of energy. Double-pole breakers are typically used for 240 volts and under 200 amps. These are often used for washing machines, EV chargers, and other large appliances.

• GFCI:

  This stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, which trips during shorts or overloads like other circuits, and when a ground wire and hot wire connect. These breakers are most used in bathrooms, laundry rooms, or outdoors where water can create a path between these wires.

• AFCI:

  This acronym is for Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter. An arc is when an electric cord becomes damaged and discharges a high enough voltage to start an electrical fire. Standard breakers only trip because of excessive heat, so AFCIs are often used instead based on updated electrical codes.

We want your home to be as safe as possible with circuit breakers that protect you. If your home is over 25 years old and hasn’t had an electrical update or maintenance, trust the professionals at Laughlin Electric for expert electrician in Santa Barbara, CA.