What Causes a Circuit Breaker to Trip?

Wondering what’s causing your circuit breaker to trip? The main causes are a short circuit, an overloaded circuit, or a ground fault surge, but other issues can arise. Your circuit breaker has the important task of disrupting electricity to prevent shocks, fires, and other disasters—but sometimes it’s not clear why a circuit breaker trips. Learn how to find out what is tripping your circuit breaker and some common solutions to consider.

1. Ground Fault Surge

A ground fault is when the flow of electricity goes astray and gets redirected to the ground without resistance. This type of fault happens when a “hot” wire contacts a grounding wire or any grounded part of the system, such as the metal electrical box. When your circuit breaker detects the sudden surge in electrical flow, it will cause the breaker to trip.

If someone is standing on the ground where the electricity gets directed, there’s a high risk of electric shock, especially if the ground is damp. This is also a common reason why your circuit breaker trips randomly. If you suspect a ground fault, contact a local electrician to investigate the issue.

2. Short Circuit

Short circuits resemble ground faults because they, too, involve a misdirected flow of electricity. These happen when a hot wire contacts a neutral wire in an electrical outlet, leading to an overloaded current within the circuit. This reaction creates heat, which will trip your breaker to prevent a possible fire.

If you suspect a short circuit, unplug your appliances and check the wires for melted coverings. You might also notice a burning smell coming from the outlet. Call in a professional electrician to find the source of the problem.

3. Circuit Overload

Circuit overloads are the most common reason that a breaker trips. Sometimes you want to microwave some leftovers and blow-dry your hair at the same time. Sure, you’re killing the multitasking game, but this is the perfect recipe for a circuit overload. Certain high-voltage appliances can trip circuit breakers easily, so check out what you plugged in.

Your electrical wires have a finite capacity for electricity, and can only handle a certain flow. When that load gets exceeded, your breaker will cut it off. This action prevents the wires from heating to a dangerous level, potentially causing an electrical fire.

4. Outdated Wiring

If you have an older home with older electrical wiring that hasn’t been updated to meet the needs of more modern appliances, it could lead to more frequent circuit breaker trips. In this case, you could benefit from having a licensed electrician inspect your wiring to see if it’s up to code and if it needs to be updated.

The cost to update your home’s wiring is around $1,500 if it’s a simple job or closer to $10,000 if it’s a whole-house project. A major aspect of updating the wiring is getting the necessary permits, which can also be costly. If the cost is enough to scare you, just keep in mind that your wiring should only be an issue if the home was built before 1960. 

5. Outdated Electrical Panel

In some cases, your circuit breaker may continue to trip because of a malfunctioning electrical panel. Old age or a manufacturing defect could cause the breaker to shut off even when it’s not overloaded or experiencing a short circuit. A small issue with the electrical panel can be repaired by an electrician, but if you need to replace the electrical panel, expect to pay around $1,230 on average, or $500 on the lower end to $4,000 on the higher end. 

What To Do When Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping 

If your circuit breaker continues to trip, try resetting the breaker to see if the problem continues. You could be dealing with an appliance that requires more power than your breaker can handle. If that’s the case, you may need to upgrade your electrical panel to fit the needs of your appliances and other electronic devices so that your power doesn’t keep going in and out. 

However, if the appliances are not to blame, call in your local electrician to assess your power problems and see what can be done to resolve them. Frequent tripping can be a sign of a more extensive and more dangerous issue that could lead to electrical fires or shocks, so it’s best to call in a pro if resetting doesn’t seem to make a difference.

How to Prevent Recurrent Circuit Breaker Trips

Whether you upgrade your electrical panel or have an electrician make a few repairs to your wiring, there are a number of steps you can take to prevent future trips in your circuit breaker. These include:

• Limiting the number of devices plugged into one circuit 

• Unplugging devices when they’re not in use 

• Putting surge protectors in place 

• Install GFCI outlets in rooms prone to moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms 

• Have your electrical systems inspected yearly to make sure they’re in good condition and up to code