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Why Does Your Circuit Breaker Keep Tripping?
Overloads, shorts and ground faults, plus the checks to do before calling.
If your breaker keeps tripping, there may be more going on than an overloaded circuit. Sometimes the fix is moving the space heater to another outlet. Sometimes it's a damaged wire.
The three common causes
- Overload: too many devices drawing power on one circuit
- Short circuit: a hot wire touching neutral or another conductor
- Ground fault: current leaking to ground, often near water
Simple checks you can do
Note what was running when it tripped. Unplug everything on that circuit, reset the breaker, then plug devices back in one at a time. If one device trips it, that device may be faulty.
Space heaters, kettles, microwaves and hair dryers on the same circuit are common culprits.
When to call an electrician
- The breaker trips immediately after reset
- Burning smell, buzzing or warm outlets
- Scorch marks on outlets or the panel
- Tripping with nothing plugged in
- AFCI or GFCI breakers tripping repeatedly
What the electrician does
The electrician will normally check the circuit, breaker, wiring and connected devices, test for faults, and recommend adding a circuit, repairing wiring, or replacing a faulty breaker.
Common questions
Yes. Breakers can become weak and trip too easily. An electrician can test it.
Repeated resetting without finding the cause isn't safe. Stop and investigate.
If you regularly run out of capacity, see our panel upgrade guide.