A circuit breaker trips repeatedly because it keeps detecting a condition it is designed to stop, such as an overload, a short circuit, a ground fault or arcing. Sometimes the breaker itself is worn or has a poor connection in the panel.
The pattern of the trips can offer useful clues. Paying attention to when and how the breaker trips can help an electrician find the cause faster.
What the Timing of the Trips Can Suggest
A breaker that trips the moment you reset it, even with everything unplugged, may be reacting to a short circuit or ground fault in the wiring. Leave it off until it is checked.
A breaker that trips after several minutes or hours of normal use is more often associated with an overload. The circuit may be carrying more than it is designed for, and heat builds over time.
A breaker that trips only when a certain appliance starts may point to that appliance or to a circuit that cannot handle its startup demand. Motors in vacuums, air conditioners and refrigerators can draw extra current when they start.
Trips that happen at random, with no clear pattern, can be harder to trace. Loose connections, arcing and worn breakers are possible causes.
Problems With the Breaker Itself
Breakers are mechanical devices, and they can wear out. An older breaker may trip at a lower load than its rating.
A breaker that does not seat firmly on the panel’s bus bar, or that has a loose wire connection, can heat up and trip. Scorch marks, a hot breaker or a burning smell near the panel are warning signs.
Using a breaker that is not designed for the panel can also cause problems. Breakers must be compatible with the panel they are installed in.
Special Breakers That Trip for Specific Faults
Many homes now have AFCI and GFCI breakers. AFCI breakers trip when they detect arcing, which can happen at damaged wiring or loose connections. GFCI breakers trip when current leaks to ground, which moisture can cause.
These breakers sometimes trip because of a real fault, and sometimes because of a device that does not work well with them. Testing is needed to tell the difference.
What Not to Do
Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips over and over. Each reset can let a fault cause more heat or damage.
Never replace a breaker with a larger one to stop trips. The breaker protects the wiring, and a larger breaker can allow the wire to overheat. Do not remove the panel cover or try to replace a breaker yourself.
If the panel is hot, buzzing loudly or smoking, leave the area and call 911.
Keeping a simple log of each trip, including the time and what was running, can help an electrician spot the pattern.
If a breaker in your home trips again and again, our circuit breaker repair page explains how breaker problems are diagnosed. Contact us with what you have noticed about the trips, and we can help you plan an inspection.