Hello all. Just wanted to ask if anyone else has had this issue. I just moved into a house, and in the room I’m in, the breaker keeps tripping, which is what my snake’s heating element is plugged into. This issue started at my condo I just moved from, so it has to be something I have plugged into this circuit causing it. I have computers, but I unplug them and it still happens, so it has to be the reptile thermostat/heating element. Anyone ever heard of this? It was fine for a little over a year. Is it possible that the thermostat is failing, causing a surge of electricity and tripping the circuit? Any info or help is appreciated! I have no clue! I’m not sure if I should replace it or not.
P.S.
Sorry if this is the wrong topic to put this in, I wasn’t sure where it should go but I keep ball pythons so it seemed semi-appropriate!
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If that’s the only thing plugged into the circuit when it’s tripping I would definitely replace it.
Anytime it seems like there’s a problem with a thermostat you’re better safe than sorry. Right now it’s a cold snake…but if something changes you could be risking a burn for your snake or a fire hazard.
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I’m a contractor. If you can try and answer these questions I can walk you through it.
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What other items or appliances (or lights) turn off when that breaker trips? Best case scenario a circuit in a home can handle about 2400 watts total. In older homes that’s going to be more like 1500-1750 watts. Most homes will have several outlets and/or lights on the same circuit.
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How many watts is your t-stat running total?
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Post a picture of the tripped breaker please, in such a way that I can see the whole electrical panel.
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It is an older home, built in 1922. This circuit is connected to the one outlet and ceiling fan/light in my office, as well as two of the outlets in the master bedroom. The bathroom lights/fan are also on this. I have moved my wife’s computer off this circuit onto another, so hopefully that helps. I will post a picture asap! As far as how many watts is the thermostat running, I’m not sure. I guess 80W since that’s what the deep heat projector is in the heat lamp!
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Here is the breaker box and then the specific breaker that is going off(it has the orange light lit up, the gray one.) That is what it does when it trips. I flip it to off then on and it’s good to go again.
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Please think of how many of us reptile keepers have lost a collection to faulty electronics. Not just small hobbyists either. Some of the biggest in the business have lost entire collections to fire because of bad heaters/thermostats. Replace. Add gfci’s as well. And check them regularly.
You don’t want to be standing in your driveway at 2 a.m. with a car stuffed with pets. Or worse, coming home to find a smoldering home.
Apologies for the harsh words.
Replace any electric device that is even questionable.
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You would be fine changing that breaker out for a 20amp and that should solve your issue. 15amps used to be sufficient for a circuit but that’s changed.
Adding gfci outlets does nothing more than a surge plug would. Somehow they’ve become confused by people outside of construction with AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interruptor). Arc fault circuits are wired differently than ground fault circuits. Most electrical fires are Arc Fault not Ground Fault issues. Upgrading your circuits to Arc Fault is generally going to cost several thousand dollars.
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Good to know. Thank you. Glad someone with more knowledge can offer pro help with any electric stuff.
I’m just getting into that part of a rebuild with my own shop. Electrical fire. Unknown cause.
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By unknown , we don’t know which appliance.
Sounds good. I will have to look into getting that done. Any idea how much it would cost to have an electrician come out to do that? I know rates are gonna vary by area/company but just a ball park idea if you have one at all. I am not experienced with this kind of stuff at all lol.
