Winter can be tough on your electrical system. Lights are plugged in. Space heaters start running. Outdoor outlets face cold, wet weather. Everything draws more power or gets exposed to harsher conditions.

And that’s when the trouble starts.

Breakers trip.
GFCIs won’t reset.
Half the house loses power.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. December is one of the busiest months for electrical problems in Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius, and the Lake Norman area. The good news is that most of these issues have simple explanations. Even better, you can prevent them with the right steps.

Let’s walk through the three most common winter electrical headaches and what you can do about each one.

1. Christmas Lights Keep Tripping the Breaker

It happens every year. You plug in the holiday lights and everything looks great. Then, out of nowhere, the breaker flips off. Again. And again.

This usually happens for one of three reasons.

You’re overloading the circuit

Holiday lights, inflatables, extension cords, and indoor lighting may all be sharing the same circuit. When the total load gets too high, the breaker shuts off to protect your home from overheating or electrical fires.

Moisture is getting into the outlet

Outdoor outlets and extension cords deal with rain, frost, condensation, and even morning dew. Moisture can cause a GFCI outlet to trip instantly as a safety precaution.

Cords or lights are damaged

Small cuts, frayed wires, or older strings of lights can easily trip a breaker. Even one damaged bulb can cause problems.

Quick tips:

• Try moving part of the lighting setup to a different outlet.

• Plug outdoor lights into a GFCI-protected outlet.

• Replace old or worn-out extension cords.

If the breaker still keeps shutting off, that’s a sign the circuit is overloaded or the panel needs attention. Century Electrical Services fixes this fast.

2. Space Heater Keeps Tripping the Breaker

Space heaters are incredibly common in winter, especially on cold nights when homeowners need extra warmth. They also happen to be one of the top reasons we get emergency calls in Mooresville each December.

Here’s why.

Space heaters use a lot of power

Most space heaters pull 12 to 15 amps. That’s almost the entire capacity of a standard household circuit. If anything else is running on the same line, the breaker will trip to stop overheating.

Older wiring can’t handle the load

Homes built before the 1990s may have wiring or outlet circuits that aren’t designed for modern appliances. The system becomes overloaded quickly.

The heater itself may be overheating

Most space heaters have an internal safety shutoff. If dust builds up inside the heater or airflow is blocked, the unit may trip your breaker or turn itself off.

Quick tips:

• Plug space heaters directly into the wall. Never use a power strip.

• Avoid running heaters on shared circuits.

• Give the heater room to breathe and avoid placing items in front of it.

If your heater shuts off the moment you plug it in, you may need a dedicated circuit or an inspection.

3. GFCI Outlet Won’t Reset in Cold or Wet Weather

Outdoor outlets work hard in winter. They deal with freezing temperatures, humidity, rain, and holiday lighting setups. GFCI outlets are designed to protect you from shock, but they can trip easily when conditions get tough.

Moisture is the number one cause

Water inside the outlet, even a tiny amount, is enough to trip the GFCI instantly.

Cold temperatures affect the outlet’s internal components

GFCIs sometimes become more sensitive in freezing weather. The reset button may refuse to stay in place until temperature rises.

Downstream outlets lose power too

If one GFCI controls multiple outlets, a single trip can shut off power to an entire section of your home or outdoor area.

Quick tips:

• Check for moisture around the outlet cover.

• Reset both the outdoor GFCI and the one in the garage or bathrooms.

• Inspect outdoor cords for damage or signs of water intrusion.

If the outlet still won’t reset, there may be a wiring issue or faulty GFCI device that needs replacement.

4. When You Should Call a Local Electrician

Some electrical issues are easy to solve. Others can become dangerous if ignored. Call a professional if you notice:

• A breaker that trips repeatedly in a short period

• Outlets that feel warm or buzz

• Burning smells near the panel or outlets

• Lights flickering when appliances turn on

• Power loss in multiple rooms

• GFCIs that will not reset even when dry

• Sparks or popping sounds

Electrical problems rarely fix themselves. They often get worse. A fast diagnosis can keep your home safe and prevent larger repairs later.

5. How to Prevent Winter Electrical Problems

You can avoid many December outages and breaker trips by keeping a few things in mind:

Use separate circuits for big loads

Plug space heaters and holiday lights into different areas of the home when possible.

Cover outdoor outlets

A simple weatherproof cover can stop moisture from tripping your GFCIs.

Upgrade your electrical panel

If your home still uses an older panel, it may struggle with modern electrical demands. Panel upgrades improve safety and help prevent overloads.

Add whole-home surge protection

Winter storms around Lake Norman can cause sudden voltage spikes. Surge protection helps protect your electronics and appliances.

Schedule a safety inspection

A quick look from a licensed electrician can reveal issues before they cause outages.

Need Fast Electrical Help in Mooresville? We’re Ready.

If your breakers keep tripping or your outlets won’t reset, Century Electrical Services can help. We offer reliable, timely service for Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville, and all Lake Norman communities.

We’ll identify the issue, repair it safely, and make sure your home is ready for the rest of winter.

Need help today? Call Century Electrical Services now.