Why Does My Breaker Keep Flipping in the Entertainment Room?

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Asked By TechWizard99 On

I recently moved into a house that was built in 2020, where we prioritized having a 300 amp panel due to our love for electronics. However, I'm facing a frustrating issue: the breaker for our entertainment basement keeps flipping. From what I can tell, all of our electronics, like 2 PS5s, two 85" TVs, two computers, and an electric blanket, are wired to just one breaker, which feels like a recipe for disaster. After one incident, my TV actually stopped working! I've already purchased an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) as a temporary fix, but I really think this setup is not ideal. I've tried contacting the builder, but they won't assist since it's been almost five years since the house was finished. Can anyone ballpark the cost of fixing this issue in Canadian dollars? I know unplugging devices when they're not in use is an option, but that defeats the purpose of upgrading the panel in the first place! Any advice would be appreciated!

2 Answers

Answered By ElectricianEnthusiast88 On

First off, it sounds like you might be pulling too much power for that one breaker, especially if you have everything running simultaneously. If your PS5s use around 300 watts each, and your TVs are about 370 watts, plus your computers and an electric blanket, you could easily hit the limit for a standard 15 or 20 amp breaker. Just so you know, continuous load on a 15 amp circuit should ideally stay under 1440 watts. Have you checked if other parts of your house are also on the same breaker? Sometimes outlets in adjacent rooms can add to the load. It might be worth getting an electrician to split up the circuits or look into upgrading the wiring. Good luck!

GamerGal42 -

Thanks for breaking that down! I totally forgot about our sound system that pulls power too. We'll definitely need to get a pro in to explore options—maybe at least re-route some devices to reduce the load.

Answered By WattWatcher12 On

You definitely hit the nail on the head regarding the load calculation! Given your setup, especially with everything plugged in and possibly running at the same time, tripping the breaker is a real possibility. If your panel and the wiring can handle it, consider getting a dedicated circuit run for your entertainment setup. It's not uncommon for appliances to be rated higher than actual consumption too. As for the extension cords—probably best to avoid connecting a UPS that way; it could be risky. Might just need to wait for an electrician's input on safe solutions!

HomeHelper22 -

Yeah, daisy-chaining with power bars can be a bit misleading on safety! Just ensure you keep things within safe limits and get an expert's advice for long-term fixes.

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