Overheating Appliances & Voltage

Overvoltage Versus Undervoltage

• The voltage condition plays a part in whether home appliances overheat. In an instance of undervoltage, appliances will usually just stop working. Certain appliances such as refrigerators, however, can actually overheat when there is low voltage because the amount of current drawn by the motor increases in direct relation to the voltage falling. In an instance of overvoltage, your appliance can overheat and actually burn out with a fire. This is especially true of older appliances.

Causes

• Undervoltage and overvoltage conditions can both cause overheating. These conditions generally occur during a voltage surge, which is commonly referred to as a power surge. Lightning strikes, equipment malfunction and animal activity are among the causes of such a surge. Low voltage situations can also occur during times of high power usage, such as a heat wave.

Characteristics

• When an appliance begins to overheat, you might notice increased noise from the motor because the motor is working harder to maintain a constant voltage. In some instances, the appliance will stop working completely as a result of the circuit breaker tripping or the fuse blowing. This is a built-in safety feature of your home wiring system. Having too many appliances plugged in and powered on the at the same time can also create a power surge. In some instances, the overheating appliance can cause a fire.

What To Do

• When your appliances start to overheat, power them off immediately to avoid any damage or possible fire. If your circuit breaker trips or the fuse blows, try to determine the cause of the power surge. Once you know the cause and it is safe to do so, flip the breaker or replace the fuse. For instance, if the cause is too many appliances plugged in and working at the same time, just power off some of them. The circuit should be given a half hour to cool before flipping the breaker or replacing the fuse. If the appliance starts a fire when it overheats, use a fire extinguisher to put the flames out. If you do not have one, or the fire is too big, evacuate the home immediately and call the fire department for assistance.