AFCI Breaker Tripping Due to Pinched Ceiling Fan Light Wiring in Gardendale, AL

A homeowner in Gardendale, Alabama contacted Superior Service Electric after their AFCI breaker tripped every time the ceiling fan light was turned on. The fan motor ran normally, but as soon as the light circuit energized the breaker would immediately trip. Resetting the breaker did not solve the problem, so the homeowner asked for a professional inspection.

Our technicians identified this as an AFCI troubleshooting and electrical repair job focused on the bedroom lighting circuit. The home was protected by an AFCI breaker, which is designed to detect dangerous arcing conditions that standard breakers cannot. While AFCI trips are inconvenient, they are an important safety feature intended to prevent electrical fires.

We performed a detailed inspection of both the electrical panel and the ceiling fan wiring. The issue was isolated to the ceiling fan light canopy. During the inspection we found pinched wiring and damaged insulation inside the fan housing. Those damaged conductors were creating intermittent arc faults when the light was turned on, and the AFCI breaker was doing its job by tripping to interrupt the circuit.

Because the source of the trip was in the fan canopy, the repair work focused on the fan and light kit rather than the panel. Our licensed technicians safely disassembled the ceiling fan and removed the light kit to access the wiring. Damaged sections of conductor insulation were repaired and any pinch points were eliminated by rerouting the wires inside the canopy.

We also installed proper strain relief and secured the wiring so that it would not be squeezed or rubbed when the fan was reassembled. After making repairs and restoring correct routing, the fan and light were reassembled and the connections were checked for proper tightness and insulation integrity.

Once the repairs were complete, we tested the lighting circuit under normal operating conditions. The AFCI breaker remained stable and did not trip when the light was switched on. The ceiling fan and light now operate normally and safely, with the cause of the arcing removed.

This type of problem is common with ceiling fan installations where wires are crowded or not routed correctly inside the housing. In this case the AFCI breaker provided an early warning by tripping, which allowed us to find and fix the damaged wiring before it could create a greater hazard.

The result for the homeowner in Gardendale, AL is a safe, functioning ceiling fan and light, no more AFCI breaker trips on that circuit, and wiring repaired to current code practices. If you experience repeated AFCI trips, contact Superior Service Electric so a licensed technician can inspect the circuit and correct any wiring issues before they become a fire risk.

Budget: $250

Location: Gardendale, AL