1. Overloaded circuit
Too many things running on one circuit. Classic example: space heater plus hair dryer in the same bedroom.
Troubleshooting
Why Does My Breaker Keep Tripping? 5 Causes and When to Call an Emergency Electrician
A breaker that keeps tripping is one of the most common reasons homeowners call us. Sometimes the fix is as simple as moving a space heater. Sometimes it's a warning sign of damaged wiring. This guide explains the five most common causes, how to read the clues and what you can safely check yourself.
If the breaker smells hot, sparks or won't reset, skip the guide and call for emergency help.
- Written by licensed electricians
- New Jersey code
- Local to Monmouth County
The short answer
Breakers trip for five main reasons: an overloaded circuit, a short circuit, a ground fault, an arc fault or a worn-out breaker. If it trips after running a while, it's likely an overload. If it trips the instant you reset it, it's likely a short, and you should call an electrician.
First, the good news
A Tripping Breaker Is Doing Its Job
Annoying, yes. But it's a sign the system is protecting you.
A breaker is a safety switch. When it senses more current than the wire can safely carry, or current going where it shouldn't, it shuts the circuit off. That's what keeps a small problem from becoming a fire.
So the question isn't how to stop the tripping. It's why it's tripping. The answer usually falls into one of five causes, and the timing of the trip is the best clue.
The five causes
The 5 Most Common Reasons a Breaker Trips
Almost every trip we investigate comes back to one of these.
2. Short circuit
A hot wire touches a neutral wire, often from a damaged cord, a loose connection or a failing appliance.
3. Ground fault
Current leaks to ground, often through water. Common in kitchens, bathrooms, garages and outdoor outlets.
4. Arc fault
An AFCI breaker senses dangerous sparking inside a wire, from a nail through a cable or a loose connection.
5. Worn-out breaker
Breakers age. An old breaker can trip below its rating, or fail in other ways.
Read the clues
When It Trips Tells You Why
Timing is the single best clue you have.
| When it trips | Most likely cause | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| After running a while, when several things are on | Overload | Spread the load or add a dedicated circuit |
| Instantly, the moment you reset it | Short circuit | Leave it off and call. Something is wired wrong or damaged |
| When one appliance turns on | That appliance, or its circuit | Try the appliance on another circuit to see if it follows |
| In wet weather, or near water | Ground fault | Check outdoor and bathroom outlets and GFCIs |
| Randomly, on a bedroom or living room circuit | Arc fault, or an AFCI reacting to a device | Needs testing to find the source |
| With nothing much running at all | Worn breaker or hidden fault | Needs testing with a meter |
A note on modern breakers
Newer homes and updated circuits often use AFCI, GFCI or combination breakers. They're more sensitive by design. Some trips that look like nuisance trips are real wiring problems they caught. Others come from shared neutral wires or certain motors. Swapping the breaker for a plain one isn't the fix, and it would remove protection the code requires.
What you can do
Safe Steps You Can Take Yourself
These are safe for most homeowners.
Unplug and reset
Unplug things on that circuit, then push the breaker fully off and back on.
Plug back in one at a time
If it trips when one item goes back in, you've likely found the culprit.
Check for a tripped GFCI
A GFCI outlet in another room may control the outlets that stopped working.
Move heavy users
Run the space heater, hair dryer or microwave on a different circuit.
Stop if it trips instantly
An instant trip with nothing plugged in means a fault in the wiring. Call an electrician.
The bigger picture
When Tripping Points to a Bigger Problem
One breaker is a circuit issue. Many breakers is a whole-house issue.
- Several circuits trip often, not just one
- Lights dim across the house when big appliances start
- The panel is old, full or an older brand. Read whether a Federal Pacific panel is dangerous
- The home may have aluminum wiring. Learn the signs of aluminum wiring
Repeated trips across the house can mean your home has outgrown its panel. Our guide to 100 vs 200 amp service explains how to tell.
Want it found and fixed? See electrical repair.
Keep reading
More Guides From Our Electricians
Plain-English answers to the questions homeowners ask us most.
Brands & service areas
Brands and Towns We Serve
Help Across Monmouth and Middlesex County
Our licensed electricians serve Marlboro and these nearby towns.
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Questions Readers Ask
Is it dangerous if my breaker keeps tripping?
The breaker is protecting you, but repeated trips mean something is wrong. Find the cause rather than resetting it over and over.
Why does my breaker trip when I use the microwave?
Microwaves draw a lot of power. If they share a circuit with other kitchen appliances, the circuit overloads. A dedicated circuit usually fixes it.
Can a breaker go bad?
Yes. Breakers wear out and can trip early or fail to trip. An electrician can test it.
Why does my breaker trip right away when I reset it?
That usually means a short circuit. Leave it off and call an electrician.
Should I replace my breaker with a bigger one?
No. The breaker is matched to the wire. A bigger breaker can let wires overheat.
Breaker Still Tripping?
A licensed electrician can find the real cause, usually the same day.
(732) 419-5195