If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, you must reset it. To reset it, turn off the circuit breaker by moving the switch, then turn it back on. For your own safety, keep a safe distance from the panel to prevent any sparks, or wear safety goggles. Before unplugging and plugging in equipment, reset the circuit breaker to determine the cause of the trip.

While tripped circuit breakers ensure safety, it can be very frustrating to constantly experience them and reconnect them repeatedly.

Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?

If your circuit breaker is tripping frequently, there is a problem with the circuit. One of your appliances may have a short circuit or ground fault. There may be signs that the circuit is overloaded or that the breaker box is faulty. Keep an eye out for all of these reasons that may cause your circuit breaker to trip more frequently.

If you know the reason behind the constant tripping, there are a few things you can do. Let’s look at the five main reasons that cause circuit breakers to trip.

1. Circuit overload

Circuit overload is one of the main reasons why circuit breakers frequently trip. This happens when you want a particular circuit to provide more power than it actually has. This will cause the circuit to overheat, putting all appliances connected to the circuit at risk.

For example, if your TV is connected to a circuit that actually needs 15 amps but now uses 20 amps, the TV system’s circuits will be burned and damaged. Circuit breakers are tripped to prevent this from happening, and possibly even a major fire.

You can fix this by trying to redistribute your electrical equipment and keep them away from the same circuits that electrical repairers recommend. You can even turn off some equipment to reduce the electrical load on the circuit breaker.

2. Short circuit

Another common cause of tripping a circuit breaker is a short circuit, which is more dangerous than an overloaded circuit. A short circuit occurs when the “hot” wire makes contact with the “neutral” wire in one of your electrical outlets. Whenever this happens, a lot of current flows through the circuit, creating more heat than the circuit can handle. When this happens, the circuit breaker will continue to trip, closing the circuit to prevent a dangerous event such as a fire.

Short circuits can occur for many reasons, such as incorrect wiring or loose connections. You can identify a short circuit by the burning smell that usually lingers around the breaker. Additionally, you may also notice brown or black discoloration around it.

3. Ground fault surge

A ground fault surge is similar to a short circuit. This happens when a hot wire touches a ground wire made of bare copper or the side of a metal socket box that is connected to the ground wire. This will cause more current to flow through it, which the circuit can’t handle. A circuit breaker trips to protect circuits and appliances from overheating or a potential fire.

If a ground fault surge occurs, you can identify them by the discoloration around the outlet.

4. Defective circuit breakers

If none of the above causes the circuit breaker to trip, then your circuit breaker may be faulty. When a circuit breaker is too old to generate electricity, it’s time to replace it. And, if not maintained, it’s bound to wear out.

If your breaker is broken, you may smell a burnt smell, trip frequently, fail to reset, or have burn marks on the breaker box.

5. Arc fault

Generally, arc faults are also considered to be the main cause of frequent tripping of circuit breakers. An arc fault occurs when a loose or corroded wire creates a shorted contact that causes arcing or sparking. This generates heat and can cause an electrical fire. If you hear a hissing light switch or a humming sound from an outlet, you have an arc fault.

If you avoid or ignore any of these issues, you put the safety of your family and loved ones at great risk. If you experience frequent circuit breaker trips, it’s time to call in a professional to investigate the problem. Don’t try to handle this yourself.