Why does my breaker keep tripping?
A breaker that trips repeatedly is responding to a condition on the circuit. Resetting it over and over does not fix the cause—and can hide a problem that needs professional testing.
Common causes
Too much load on one circuit
Several high-draw devices operating together can exceed the circuit rating. The breaker opens to protect the wiring from overheating.
A short circuit or ground fault
Damaged wiring, a failed appliance or a loose connection can allow current to travel along an unintended path. These faults need to be located and corrected.
A failing device or breaker
Sometimes the problem is connected equipment; in other cases a breaker or electrical connection has deteriorated. Testing separates the symptom from the source.
What you can do safely
- Unplug appliances on the affected circuit.
- Reset the breaker once, following the panel instructions.
- If it trips again, leave it off and call a licensed electrician.
When to call immediately
Call promptly if you notice burning odor, buzzing, heat, discoloration, sparking, water near electrical equipment or a main breaker that will not stay on. Do not remove the panel cover or work on energized wiring.