The power trips because the circuit the heater is connected to becomes overloaded: the heater and other appliances together draw more power than the fuse allows. A 2000-watt electric heater is already a heavy load. Set it to a lower setting, use a different circuit, or turn off other large appliances.
Why does the power trip with an electric heater?
Every socket in the house is connected to a circuit in the fuse box, and each circuit has a fuse or residual current circuit breaker that trips if too much current flows through it. This is a safety feature, not a defect. An electric heater heats with a resistance element and requires a lot of power almost the entire time it is on. This stands out because a lamp or phone charger only needs a fraction of that.
This means that the heater itself is rarely the sole cause. Usually, something else is on at the same time: a kettle, a vacuum cleaner, a hairdryer, or a second heater on the same circuit. Especially in winter, when you use multiple appliances at the same time, the circuit trips.
Calculate how much a circuit can handle
Divide the power of an appliance by the mains voltage of 230 volts to get the current in amperes. Many circuits in a home are protected by a 16-amp fuse, suitable for approximately 3680 watts. This is an assumption: the value in your home is shown in your fuse box or on the circuit panel, so check it yourself. The calculation works as follows:
| Combination on the same circuit | Total power | Fits within 3680 watts? |
|---|---|---|
| Heater at 1500 watts | 1500 watts | Yes, approximately 6.5 amperes |
| Heater at 2000 watts | 2000 watts | Yes, approximately 8.7 amperes |
| Heater at 2000 watts + 2000-watt appliance (for example, a kettle) | 4000 watts | No, circuit may trip |
| Heater at 1500 watts + 2000-watt appliance | 3500 watts | Just barely, with little room to spare |
The table shows that the difference between 1500 and 2000 watts is sometimes just enough. You can find the power a heater requires on the type plate or in the manual. Read more about that difference in what the difference is between a 1500 and 2000-watt heater.
What can you do if the circuit keeps tripping?
Start with the simple steps. Set the heater to a lower setting, turn off other large appliances while the heater is on, and try plugging the heater into a socket on a different circuit. It is better to plug the heater directly into the socket rather than using a power strip, because a power strip limits how much power you can safely draw. Also keep in mind that the heater itself may shut off for other reasons; this is explained in why an electric heater shuts off and what you can do.
Never replace a fuse with a higher-rated one to bypass the problem. This removes the protection and makes the wiring vulnerable to overheating. If the circuit continues to trip when the heater is the only appliance in use, or if it trips immediately when switched on, call a certified electrician and do not use the heater until the issue has been investigated.
Is an electric heater the best way to provide extra heat?
That depends on how and how long you use it. Milieu Centraal indicates that heaters without thermostats in particular can consume a lot of electricity because they always operate at full power; at 1000 watts for 500 hours per year, that is approximately 110 euros. See the explanation about major energy guzzlers at Milieu Centraal. The same organization calls an electric heater a bad idea in its heating energy-saving tips, while an infrared panel is a good idea. Therefore, use an electric heater mainly for targeted purposes and for short periods, for example in a small room where you are sitting. You can calculate how much it costs per hour with how much an electric heater costs per hour.
The AirFlow HW2002 with adjustable power
The AirFlow HW2002 has an adjustable power output of 1500 to 2000 watts. This helps if you notice that your circuit is drawing just a little too much at the highest setting: set it to the lower setting.
Power: 1500 to 2000 watts, suitable for rooms up to 40 m²
Temperature: adjustable from 15 to 45 °C, with a rotating function for even heat distribution
Safety: overheat protection and fall detection, after which the heater automatically switches off
Controls: LCD touchscreen, remote control, and timer function
Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 45 cm, 1.6 kg, 1.7-meter cable
View the AirFlow HW2002 electric heater or the full collection of Dynter heaters.
Direct answer: the circuit becomes overloaded because the heater together with other appliances draws more power than the fuse allows. Choose a lower setting, turn off other large appliances, or use a different circuit. If the power always trips, have an electrician check it.
Frequently asked questions
How many amperes does a 2000-watt electric heater use?
At 230 volts, that is approximately 8.7 amperes (2000 divided by 230). That is a significant portion of a 16-amp circuit, so there is little room left for other large appliances.
Can I plug an electric heater into a power strip?
It is better to avoid doing so. It is preferable to plug a heater directly into the socket and always follow the appliance manual.
Is a heater defective if the power trips?
Not necessarily. Often the circuit is simply overloaded. If the power also trips when the heater is the only appliance in use, have an electrician take a look.
Can I replace the fuse with a higher-rated one?
No. The fuse protects the wiring. A higher-rated fuse can cause overheating. Always have modifications carried out by a certified electrician.