24/7 Electrician Chicago | STS Electric

Overload Protection and Precautions

EV Charger Installation | STS Electric
Home Electrical Repairs | STS Electric
STS Electric | Trusted Electricians Chicago
Electrical Overload Protection Services Chicago

Overload Protection and Precautions

Every household meter box contains a series of overload protection devices, designed to cut the power to particular circuits when their amperage has been exceeded.

There are two main devices; Fuses and Circuit Breakers.

Difference between Overload and Overcurrent

Overload protection is protection against overheating of the protected equipment. It operates slower. Its typically operates on an inverse time curve where the tripping time becomes less as the current increases.

Whereas Overcurrent protection is protection against short circuits. It generally operates instantly. With standard breakers, between 500% and 1000% of full-load current is the point where the overcurrent protection over-rides the overload protection and opens the circuit instantly.

Some devices provide both overcurrent and overload protection.

A thermal-magnetic circuit breaker has both thermal (overload) and magnetic (overcurrent) elements. Both elements operate as described above. Likewise the dual element fuse has both instantaneous and inverse time characteristics in the same fuse providing both overcurrent and overload protection.

Frequent Circuit Breaker Tripping

One of the biggest causes of frequent circuit breaker tripping is the overloading of power boards. Most homes and apartments, even newer ones, don’t have enough power points to cater to, for example, a complete home entertainment unit setup. If circuit breakers in your home are tripping frequently, it could be down to circuit overload. Prevent this by:

  • Never daisy-chain power boards.
  • Remove devices that aren’t in use (for example, phone chargers still draw power even when not connected).
  • Spread your electrical needs around. Don’t overburden a single circuit.
  • Be mindful of how you connect devices around the home – what’s in use, and what is unnecessary.

Power boards also have built-in overload protection. This is usually in the form of a small circuit breaker which trips when more power is drawn than the board is rated to carry. The board also contains a reset switch to return it to normal use after the circuit breaker has been tripped.

Overload Precautions

The precautions that should be taken to avoid the overloading of domestic circuits are as follows:

  • Do not connect too many appliances in a single socket.
  • Do not use too many appliances at the same time.
  • Use the appliances within the safe limit of electric circuit.
  • Fuse should be connected in series in the circuit to protect overloading and short circuiting.

If a fuse or circuit breaker blows or trips in your meter box, it usually means there is a problem in the circuit. You are either running too many high-amp appliances, or there is a fault somewhere in the circuit. Before you replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker, check for a problem. If you can’t find a reason and it happens again, have an electrician inspect your wiring, because when electricity is involved, small faults left unfortified can turn into large and dangerous problems very quickly.

Request Service

By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from STS Electric with appointment information as described in our Privacy Policy. Message and data rates may apply.

Top News

Read What our Clients say About STS

slider
User

Terrence C.

Stars

My wife works full time in his job so basically I am the one who manages our home especially for the kids. Recently, I’ve noticed that our lights dimming at random...

User

Neil H.

Stars

We have been using STS Electric for our senior home care facilities for all electrical high and low voltage work including nurse call system...

User

Kate Zehr

Stars

STS really took care of us! Sam and Ana were so attentive and understanding of a very difficult situation. Their advice and expertise was invaluable.

User

James P.

Stars

Great service, on time and very professional. They fixed my office’s wiring quickly and left everything clean.

User

Susan R.

Stars

I am impressed with the quality of work done by STS Electric. They provided solutions that saved us money long term.

User

Michael T.

Stars

Very responsive and affordable pricing. The team was polite and efficient. Highly recommended.

User

Emily G.

Stars

They fixed my home’s electrical issues within hours. Super reliable and respectful team. I’ll definitely call them again.

User

Robert F.

Stars

Friendly team and excellent follow-up after the service. They even checked back a week later to make sure everything was good.

User

Amanda L.

Stars

Outstanding service. The electricians were professional, friendly, and ensured everything was working perfectly before leaving.

Our Commitment to Excellence

STS Electric Contractor is a premier electrical contractor in Chicago, Illinois with design build capabilities providing a full range of service to residential, commercial and industrial communities. STS ELECTRIC is an electrical contractor in Chicago with a commitment to providing efficient services to our clients, who value quality and innovation. All our products, installations and maintenance are backed by a comprehensive warranty.

Electrician Chicago | Trusted Local Experts

A+ BBB Accredited

Electrician Chicago | Trusted Local Experts

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Electrician Chicago | Trusted Local Experts

Fast Response Times

Electrician Chicago | Trusted Local Experts

Fully Licensed, Insured & Bonded

Electrician Chicago | Trusted Local Experts

24/7 Emergency Service

Electrician Chicago | Trusted Local Experts

Free On-Site Estimates

Electrician Chicago | Trusted Local Experts

Senior & Military Discounts

Electrician Chicago | Trusted Local Experts

ICC-Certified EV Charger Installer

Electrician Chicago | Trusted Local Experts

State-of-the-Art Diagnostic Tools & a fully stocked inventory

Absolutely amazing service! I called STS in the morning, and they had someone at my door by lunchtime. The issue was fixed quickly and efficiently—before I even had to pick up the kids from school! That kind of fast and reliable service is hard to find these days. Highly recommended!
We worked with Danny, Francisco, Sam and Anna. They were all very professional, kept us informed at all times of what was going on and any issues. Anna kept us up to date on all billing and budget concerns. The work was done in a professional manner with no issues. I would recommend this company.
STS was extremely efficient and knowledgeable in the electrician field. They came out and investigated the problem and got to work. I would highly recommend them for anyone that needs electrical work. The crew was professional and cleaned up as well.
I contacted STS Electric for an urgent electrical issue at my rental condo, and they were quick and efficient in diagnosing the problem. They provided me with a clear quote right away and completed the work in no time. I had the pleasure of working with Sam, who was professional and reliable. I highly recommend STS Electric for any electrical needs.
STS Electric was amazing! From start to finish, the experience was seamless and professional. Sam and Anna were incredibly responsive and went above and beyond to help us with all our needs. Their communication, attention to detail, and commitment to great service really stood out. We couldn’t be happier with the results. 100% would recommend STS Electric to anyone looking for reliable and high-quality
STS helped when the circuit board blew on our rental. They were very communicative throughout the entire process, especially considering I couldn’t be there to check the work at the time. The final product was clean, well done and organized.
If you live in the Chicago area, I strongly suggest you look no further for your electric needs but to go with the best company I have ever worked with. From the office staff, supervisors and technicians are rated 10 out of 5 if that was possible. An amazing service rendered and as a very satisfied customer they will stay with me for all future projects.The detailed and precision of this service was unbelievable. Knowledgeable, courteous and detailed customer care was a plus for me. I had no worries when worked began because I felt I was in safe hands. The results were flawless. I am a very satisfied customer and recommend to all.

What Can We Do For You?

Issue

Details

Customer

Address

Confirm

Thank You

We are here for you 24/7

For immediate assistance, please reach us at (773) 721-1111.

Please provide as many details as you can on the next two screens.

Tell us about your issue or what you are trying to accomplish?

We'll send you a text message to confirm your appointment and to provide you with other updates.


< >
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
  • Our dispatcher will contact you with the earliest available arrival window. For a sooner appointment, please call (773) 721-1111

Issue:

Service:

Email sent successfully

We've received your booking and will send you a confirmation of your appointment window. One of our friendly office dispatch coordinators will also reach out to you directly to confirm the exact time of your appointment.