How Cold Temperatures Affect Circuit Breaker Performance
For most of the Northern Hemisphere, including the U.S., December 21, 2025, marks the start of winter. As temperatures drop, many homeowners will experience power problems.
According to a study published by the non-profit research and communications group Climate Central, winter storms and cold temperatures accounted for an estimated 23% of all major weather-related power outages in the U.S. between 2000 and 2023.
While most reported outages were supplier-side outages, namely those caused by iced or downed power lines, some were home-side outages linked to circuit breaker problems.
What Homeowners Should Know About the Circuit Breakers in Their Homes
Circuit breakers are devices designed to protect homes, their occupants, appliances, and electronics against electrical hazards. That includes weather-related electrical hazards caused by heavy snow, freezing rain, sleet, ice, strong winds, and other winter weather conditions.
They do this by constantly monitoring the flow of electricity through a circuit and shutting off electricity to a given outlet or the entire home if they detect an issue. There are several types of circuit breakers, one of which is the ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuit breaker.
GFCIs protect circuits and outlets in areas prone to moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Another circuit breaker commonly found in most homes is the arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). AFCIs protect circuits and outlets in a home’s living spaces from electrical arcs, continuous electrical discharges that can cause a fire.
Other circuit breakers commonly found in homes across Florida include standard circuit breakers and combination AFCI/GFCI breakers.
Standard circuit breakers are thermal-magnetic breakers that protect against short circuits and overloads by using two separate tripping mechanisms: electromagnets for short circuits and thermal bimetallic strips for overloads. These circuit breakers primarily provide circuit protection for high-voltage appliances, namely central air conditioning units, stoves, and electric water heaters.
Combination AFCI/GFCI breakers, also known as dual-function circuit breakers (DFCBs), are circuit breakers that offer simultaneous protection against electrical hazards associated with arc faults and ground faults in a single device. In other words, they protect against electrical faults in the standard 120V to 240V range.
Why do Cold Temperatures cause Circuit Breakers to malfunction?
Most manufacturers calibrate GFCI, AFCI, and other molded-case circuit breakers (MCCBs) for an ambient temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. When temperatures drop too low, below -5 degrees Celsius or 23 degrees Fahrenheit, for example, they can start to struggle, especially when weather-related overcurrents are involved.
For reference, an overcurrent refers to an electrical current that exceeds the manufacturer’s safe and intended level for a circuit. The following are some of the ways cold winter weather can contribute to overcurrents and even power loss:
- Insulation contraction – When temperatures drop extremely low, it can cause the plastic and rubber insulation that encase electrical wires to shrink and even become brittle. Both of these can create openings that lead to moisture accumulation, faults, and short circuits.
- Condensation – During winter, cold outside temperatures create a significant temperature difference with warm indoor air. When this happens, condensation can form on outlets, wiring boxes, and other electrical components. That condensation can corrode wires and terminals, which, in turn, can lead to short circuits, tripped breakers, or both.
- Above-average power demand – When temperatures drop, homeowners naturally run their HVAC systems longer to stay warm. At the same time, some might use their space heaters and electric blankets. And as the holidays approach, they may even have Christmas tree lights and other decorative lights on. Simultaneously doing all of these things can strain a home’s electrical system. And that strain can increase the risk of short circuits, tripped breakers, and electrical fires.
Cold Weather Conditions and Overvoltages: How the Combination Affects Circuit Breakers
In some cases, circuit breaker problems happen after a utility provider restores power to a home following a power outage. And that brings us to cold weather conditions and overvoltages. For those unaware, an overvoltage occurs when the voltage in an electrical circuit exceeds its rated voltage or operational limit.
An overvoltage can indirectly cause a breaker to trip by forcing a device to draw more current than it otherwise would. If this happens too often, it can increase the risk of electrical fires, shocks, and damage to appliances.
While the most common cause of overvoltages is lightning strikes, they can also occur when a utility provider restores power after ice, snow, high winds, or extreme cold damages power lines. That’s because restoring power following an outage can trigger a power surge, which often increases the risk of an overvoltage.
A Closer Look at How Cold Weather Affects Internal Circuit Breaker Components
Along with moisture, condensation, and corrosion, which can lead to poor connections and short circuits, cold weather can thicken the lubricants inside circuit breakers. That thickening can create friction between moving parts, which can adversely affect how the circuit breaker ultimately responds to electrical faults.
They either become slower to trip or fail to trip when an electrical problem arises. And it works the other way around as well. Cold temperatures can cause critical metal components in a circuit breaker to shrink. The shrunken components weaken the overall circuit breaker, causing it to trip more frequently.
How To Lower the Risk of Circuit Breaker Problems During Winter
There are several measures homeowners can take to reduce the risk of circuit breaker and electrical problems in general during winter. The first involves reducing the load they place on circuits; one way to do that is to plug fewer devices into a single outlet.
Using energy-efficient LED lights instead of traditional incandescent or halogen lights, which are more energy-intensive, for holiday lighting is another excellent way to lower the risk of circuit breaker problems during winter. The same applies to investing in and using surge protectors to protect against voltage spikes and power surges.
Lastly, if homeowners hear buzzing or popping sounds, notice burning smells, or experience frequent circuit breaker trips, they should contact an electrician as soon as possible.
Hire a Licensed Sarasota Electrician Today
To summarize, cold weather conditions coupled with increased power demand and other things can lead to circuit breaker problems and, in some cases, electrical fires. To learn more about common circuit breaker problems and how to avoid them, contact Sarasota Mister Sparky, the “don’t put up with any malarky, call Mister Sparky” electrical services company in Sarasota, FL.
