The Oven That Kept Tripping Breakers

# The Oven That Kept Tripping Breakers

A homeowner complained their oven shut off mid-use, and breakers tripped randomly — sometimes after five minutes, sometimes after an hour.

## Investigation: Apopka Oven

We inspected wiring, load balance, and breaker ratings — all were correct. No shorts were visible.

## The Real Cause

A damaged **heating element** had micro-cracks causing **arcing** when hot. The intermittent fault created a surge that tripped the breaker only after full heat expansion.

## The Solution

We replaced the bake element and inspected the terminal block for heat damage. Voltage and resistance tests confirmed stability.

## Preventing Future Oven Trips

- Inspect elements for pitting or bubbling metal.
- Avoid banging trays against elements.
- Replace damaged components immediately.

## Outcome: Stable Baking Again

After replacement, the oven completed multiple cycles with no issues. The homeowner now performs a quick visual check monthly.

## Takeaway for Electric Ovens

Electrical faults often hide until components expand under heat. Detailed thermal inspection is key.