Why Your Breaker Keeps Tripping and How to Fix It

If you’ve ever lost power to a part of your home or business and found a breaker in your electrical panel tripped, you’re not alone. Breakers are designed to trip for a reason: to protect your wiring and devices from damage. But if one keeps tripping over and over again, that’s not something to ignore.

Let’s break down why it happens, what it means, and what you can safely do about it.

What Is a Breaker, and Why Does It Trip?

A circuit breaker is a safety switch in your electrical panel. Its job is to shut off power when too much electricity flows through a circuit. This prevents overheating, fires, and damage to your wiring or appliances.

When a breaker trips, it means it’s doing its job, but frequent tripping is a sign of a bigger problem.

Common Reasons Your Breaker Keeps Tripping

1. Overloaded Circuit

This is the most common reason. If you plug too many devices into one circuit, especially power-hungry ones like space heaters, microwaves, or hair dryers, it can exceed the breaker’s limit.

What to do: Try unplugging some items from the circuit and see if that helps. Spread out appliances to different outlets if possible.

2. Short Circuit

This happens when a hot wire touches a neutral wire or another hot wire, creating a surge of electricity. It’s often caused by damaged wiring, loose connections, or faulty appliances.

Signs of a short circuit:

• Burning smell

• Scorch marks on outlets

• Breaker trips instantly when reset

  
  

What to do: Stop using the circuit and call a licensed electrician. Short circuits can be dangerous and should be inspected immediately.

3. Ground Fault

Similar to a short circuit, a ground fault occurs when a hot wire touches a grounded part of the system, like a metal box or bare copper wire. This is more common in areas with moisture, like bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor outlets.

What to do: If the issue happens near water or with a GFCI outlet, don’t take chances. Shut off power to the area and contact a professional.

4. Aging or Faulty Breaker

Sometimes the breaker itself is the issue. Like anything else in your home, circuit breakers can wear out or become faulty over time.

What to do: If the tripping continues even after reducing the load or unplugging everything from the circuit, the breaker may need replacement.

Can I Fix This Myself?

You can try a simple reset:

1. Turn off or unplug everything on the affected circuit.

2. Locate your electrical panel.

3. Find the breaker that’s tripped. It will likely be in a middle position.

4. Push it fully to the "off" position, then back to "on."

   
   

If the breaker trips again immediately, or you’re unsure what’s causing the issue, it’s time to bring in a professional.

When to Call an Electrician

Frequent breaker trips shouldn’t be ignored. It’s more than an inconvenience. It’s your home or business trying to tell you something’s wrong. At Goodyear Electric, we can inspect your panel, diagnose the issue, and provide safe, code-compliant repairs.

Don’t Let a Breaker Leave You in the Dark

If a stubborn breaker is giving you trouble in your home, shop, or office, we’re here to help. Our licensed electricians proudly serve Holt, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, and surrounding areas with trusted residential and commercial electrical service.

Call Goodyear Electric today and let’s get your power flowing safely again.

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