You’ve just invested in a high-performance heat press, envisioning seamless creations and profitable ventures.
However, your excitement is short-lived as, time and time again – the breaker trips, thwarting your creative ambitions.
If you’re nodding your head in frustration, you’re not alone.
Heat press keeps tripping breaker is a problem a number of people face.
I understand how you feel, and I am here to help you uncover the underlying causes and put an end to those persistent breaker trips once and for all.
Why Heat Press Tripping Breaker?
Here are some of the reasons why your heat press keeps tripping the breaker:
Also Read: Heat press keeps blowing fuse
Electrical Overload
One of the most common reasons why a heat press might trip the breaker is an electrical overload.
Heat presses require a significant amount of electricity, especially during the heating-up process. If the heat press is connected to a circuit that already has many other devices drawing high power, it can exceed the circuit’s capacity.
This excessive power demand can lead to the breaker tripping as a safety measure to prevent damage to the electrical system
If the circuit is already heavily loaded, consider disconnecting other appliances that are connected to the same circuit.
This can help prevent overloading and tripping of the circuit breaker.
Issues With The Heating Element or Temperature Control
If the heating element within the heat press is faulty or damaged, it may draw excessive power.
This causes the breaker to trip.
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A malfunctioning temperature control system on the other hand can lead to overheating – which triggers the breaker as a safety precaution.
Faulty Circuit Breaker
Sometimes, the problem might be within the circuit breaker itself.
Circuit breakers can wear out or become faulty over time, causing them to trip even when the electrical load is within the circuit’s limits.
In such cases, replacing the faulty breaker with a new one can solve the issue.
Short Circuit
A short circuit occurs when a live wire comes into contact with a neutral wire or ground wire, creating a path of low resistance.
This unintended connection causes a surge of electrical current, leading the breaker to trip.
Short circuits in the heat press itself or the power cord can be caused by damaged or exposed wires, loose connections, or a manufacturing defect.
Other Reasons
Using a heat press designed for a specific voltage (e.g., 110V or 220V) with the wrong outlet can lead to electrical problems and breaker trips.
So check the voltage requirements!
Running the heat press continuously and for extended periods can cause it to overheat, which also may lead to the breaker tripping.
Ground faults can also cause it. These happen due to damaged insulation or faulty wiring in the heat press or power cord.
Also Read: Can you heat press plastic cups
What To Do If Heat Press Keeps Tripping Breaker?
Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you identify and fix the problem:
- Check the power switch and power cord to make sure they are working properly
- Try shutting off everything else on the circuit and only use the heat press
- Check for loose connections, blocked airflow, or worn-out or damaged wiring
- Make sure your heat press is on a dedicated circuit
- Check the temperature and pressure of the heat press to ensure they are accurate
- Use an IR thermometer to check the surface temperature of your heating element
- If you have a solid state relay, make sure it is shutting off when it has reached the desired temperature
Why Does My Heat Press Makes Lights Flicker?
When lights flicker while using a heat press, it is usually an indication that the electrical circuit is experiencing a high demand or overload.
Heat presses typically draw a significant amount of power, typically ranging from 8.5 to 14.5 amps, and they are designed to be plugged into a standard 120V US outlet.
So, what’s happening is that when you turn on the heat press, it sucks up a ton of electricity, more than the circuit can handle.
This causes a temporary drop in voltage on the circuit.
This voltage drop affects other appliances or lights on the same circuit, causing them to flicker or dim momentarily.
To fix this and make sure everything runs smoothly, you should set up a separate circuit just for the heat press. That way, the circuit can handle all the power it needs without getting overloaded.
Plus, it will protect your electrical system from any damage too.
