Outdoor lighting is one of the cornerstone components in creating the ideal aesthetic appeal of your landscape. It not only enhances the beauty of your space during the dark hours but also boosts the safety and security of your property. However, there may be times when you face a recurring issue, like a fuse that keeps blowing. If you’re wondering “Why do my outdoor lights keep blowing a fuse?” We’re going to take a look at this issue, go over some of the most common reasons, and even cover several potential solutions to keeping your outdoor lights on.
Why Do My Outdoor Lights Keep Blowing a Fuse – Potential Reasons
Overloading: The most common reason your outdoor lights keep blowing a fuse is overloading. If the total wattage of your lights exceeds the amperage rating of the fuse, it will blow. A similar issue can arise if your outdoor string lights keep blowing a fuse. Make sure you look at the total wattage and amperage for each string, and take time to calculate the total. This total should be less than the amperage rating for the circuit.
Short Circuits: Short circuits are another common reason why your outdoor lights keep blowing a fuse. This happens when a hot wire touches either another hot wire or the neutral wire. This allows a spike in the current, blowing the fuse.
Ground Faults: A ground fault occurs when the hot wire comes into contact with a grounded portion of the circuit. This can be something like the outlet box or conduit, or simply a grounded wire. This makes an unsafe path for the electricity, and can often blow a fuse or the breaker.
Possible Solutions For String Lights and Outdoor Lighting Fuse Issues
Inspect for Overloading: If your string lights keep blowing a fuse, first, check to ensure that you aren’t overloading the circuit. Try removing some of the lights from the circuit, or use lights with a lower wattage. LED lights are often incredibly affordable and energy efficient, making them less likely to contribute to overloading.
Look for Short Circuits or Ground Faults: Regularly inspect your circuit to identify any potential short circuits or ground faults. Check for exposed or frayed wiring, and if you find any, immediately shut off all power and call a professional electrician like Elevated Seasons to come and rectify the issue.
Upgrade Your Circuit: If your outdoor string lights keep blowing a fuse, it might be because the circuit can’t handle the total load. In cases like this, you may need to look into upgrading the circuit or adding another circuit, to more effectively distribute the load.
Use Outdoor-Rated Equipment: A big factor in many failures is that equipment used that wasn’t rated for exterior use. Using lighting and electrical components that are rated for outdoor use. These are designed to withstand more demanding environmental conditions that outdoor lighting is exposed to and are far less likely to cause issues like repeated fuse problems.
Let Elevated Seasons Take The Trouble Out Of Your Outdoor Light Maintenance
When you’re trying to answer the question “Why do my outdoor lights keep blowing a fuse”, you’ll need to start with a thorough inspection for damage, faults, and overloading. Knowing how to solve the issues is the next challenge, and sometimes, it just isn’t a DIY job. When you’ve tried everything you can think of, or just want to save time by leveraging a professional, Elevated Seasons is here for you. Contact us today with any questions, or to make an appointment for your maintenance.