Blowing the fuse of the outdoor lights has become one of the most irritating problems. Many people ask, why do my outdoor lights keep blowing a fuse? A blown fuse can trip a circuit breaker, turning off the power to a portion of your home. This will prevent any electronic devices from receiving power.
Finding out what the root of the issue is will be of great assistance in turning the power back on as quickly as possible. In this article, we will discuss the most common reasons for blowing a fuse.
Common Causes of Blowing a Fuse!
1. An overloaded circuit
When something consumes an excessive amount of power from the circuit, this is the most common reason for a fuse to blow. This is typically brought on by either a disproportionate number of lights or the simultaneous use of an excessive number of electrical items that require plugging in.
Also, the use of a multiple outlet adapter that is inserted into a single socket is the primary cause of this kind of problem. If multiple lights all try to draw power from the same outlet, it might overload the circuit, leading to the fuse blowing or the circuit breaker tripping.
2. Using the wrong lights
Some lights and extension cables are only designed to be used indoors, which means they risk becoming damaged or inoperable in certain weather conditions, including rain. If you use them outside, they will undoubtedly create issues and blow a fuse.
3. Using damaged lights
It’s possible that storing your outdoor lights between usage will cause them to become damaged, primarily if you’ve owned them for several years. Exposure to moisture, which causes sockets to erode, and stretching or breaking of the wiring system of the strand are two typical difficulties that can cause harm to light.
4. Problems with the Circuit or the Breaker
In the event that a fuse blows, the presence of circuit breakers will prevent any additional electrical damage from occurring. However, if the breaker trips often, this may be an indication that there is a problem that will lead to blowing the fuse
5. Short Circuit or a Ground fall
A short circuit can cause an electrical gadget like a fuse to blow. A ground fault is a special kind of short circuit that occurs when an errant path for an electrical current either goes directly to the earth (ground) or touches a grounded component of the system.
When a person makes direct touch with the weak path to the ground, the risk of receiving a shock significantly increases. It is also one of the common causes of your outdoor lights blowing a fuse.
6. Arc Issues
An arc fault may be caused by issues with the actual circuit connections, such as loose screws or deteriorated wiring if there are any such issues. These malfunctions pose a significant risk, as they are the most typical reason electrical fires start in the home by blowing a fuse.
7. Faulty Wiring
If a fuse blows, the wiring state may not be the first thing that comes to mind as you troubleshoot the problem. Check out this list of warning signals that may indicate there are issues with the wiring in your home.
8. Broken or un-updated electric outlet
A power fault or surge can be caused by faulty wiring or linked parts, which will cause a circuit to be tripped or blow a fuse. To restate, the issue is not that the circuit breaker or fuse failed to perform correctly; instead, the problem is that there was malfunctioning equipment.
9. Using an unsuitable Fuse
If you suspect that there may be a fuse in your home with the incorrect sizing, you should stay away from the fuse board and contact a professional instead. Having the wrong fuse can be extremely hazardous and cause significant damage to your home.
10. Moisture Buildup
There is a possibility that moisture has made its way into the wiring of your home if it has problems with dampness or if it has been damaged in any way by a storm. This could have happened as a result of the damage caused by the storm. This can lead to the deterioration of wires, the creation of short circuits, and a variety of other problems like blowing a fuse.
11. Your electrical supply requires an update
It is likely that you may experience an increasing number of “blown fuses,” in which case you will need to continue to reset the circuit breakers in your home. The amount of electricity that we require in the 21st century is far higher than what it was in the 20th century.
It is time for what electricians refer to as a “heavy up,” which refers to the 200-amp system upgrade that will allow you to safely plug in and heat your electrical devices. If you do not update the supply with heavy up, it can cause the fuse to blow.
What to Do If Your Outdoor Lights Keep Blowing a Fuse?
1. Turn off all electronics
The first step is to pinpoint the exact location of the power failure. This will aid in determining which fuse is at fault. To determine which places are without electricity, try turning on and off the lights. Turn on the lights and disconnect some of the electronics in the impacted areas.
2. Put the lights out
The next step is to disconnect the fuse box from the primary power source. This must be done through the electrical panel and is crucial for your safety.
3. locate the circuit breaker
A fuse box is more common in older homes, but a circuit breaker box is more common in newer homes or in homes that have been renovated with new electrical wiring, as noted by the House Method. Both are useful, and they can be located in the basement, garage, or utility room.
4. Pinpoint the blown fuse.
The next step is to identify the blown fuse. These gadgets are constructed from wire, which can melt and disrupt an electrical circuit if the current flows too quickly or too strongly. The melted metal or discolored, cloudy glass of a blown fuse is indicative of defective equipment.
Search for a circuit breaker that is midway between the “on” and “off” positions. First, turn the breaker completely off, and then completely on. The electricity to that circuit should now be restored.
If your electrical panel has fuses, you should inspect each one to determine if the metal inside has melted or if the glass window on top of the fuse has clouded over usually purple or brown. It’s important to remove the blown fuse and replace it with a new fuse of the same size, type, and amperage. Bringing the old fuse with you to the hardware store is the easiest method to be sure you get a replacement that fits perfectly.
Test the setup
Make sure the circuit is functional after making any necessary adjustments in the fuse box and turning on the main power again. Light switches should be activated, and necessary appliances should be plugged in, but the faulty circuit should not be overloaded. A licensed electrician should be considered if the fuse keeps blowing.
Final words
We hope you have got some satisfactory answer to the question: why do my outdoor lights keep blowing a fuse? The most common causes include overloaded circuits, using the wrong fuse or lights, faulty electric outlets or wiring, damaged lights, short circuits, etc.
There are several solutions for the diverse causes which we have discussed above. We hope you will benefit from the solutions.
