Common Causes of Circuit Breaker Trips & What to Do

You’re just sitting down to eat dinner with your family when the lights suddenly go out. The dining room’s circuit breaker keeps tripping, and you can’t figure out why. 

Frequent tripping is more than just a minor annoyance for homeowners. It can also represent a major safety risk for your family. At the very least, it can damage your appliances and electrical systems. 

By partnering with Central Oregon Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, you can learn about the causes of breaker trips and how you can effectively stop them.

Why Circuit Breakers Trip

Circuit breakers monitor the flow of electricity to prevent short circuits, electrical overloads, and other dangers. They stop fluctuations in electricity from reaching your outlets, appliances, and wiring. Because of this, circuit breakers play a key role in preventing fires and equipment damage.

Common Causes of Breaker Trips

Why does my breaker keep tripping? While the main reason is due to some type of electricity fluctuation, the underlying trigger can vary significantly. To learn more about the causes of breaker trips, read on. 

Circuit Overload 

One of the most common reasons why a circuit breaker keeps tripping is circuit overload. Basically, there are too many devices plugged into one circuit. If you have a 15-amp circuit, it doesn’t take long for too many devices to overwhelm its capacity.

In the short run, you should remedy this problem by distributing appliances across different circuits. If this is a frequent issue, you may want to consider a panel upgrade or rewiring your home so that your home’s electrical system has a larger electrical capacity.

Short Circuit 

A short circuit happens whenever a hot wire comes in contact with a neutral wire or a ground wire. This causes the current to surge, which can trip the breaker. 

The following are a few of the most common short circuit signs.

• Melted or burned insulation
• Burning odors
• Flickering or dimming lights
• Cracking or popping noises
• Frequently tripped breakers
• Sparks
• Malfunctioning appliances

Short circuits can stem from a range of problems, such as faulty wiring, malfunctioning appliances, or loose connections. To remedy this issue, you need to schedule a professional electrical inspection.

Ground Fault 

Ground faults occur when electricity takes a different path, such as through a person or water. Because this is especially common around water, kitchens and bathrooms are typically installed with GFCI breakers. Then, the GFCI breaker tripping protects occupants and electrical systems from electric shock, severe burns, and electrical damage.

Faulty Appliances 

Another common reason why a circuit breaker keeps tripping is due to faulty appliances. Plugged-in devices can overload the circuit or create a short circuit, which causes the breaker to trip. For example, an oven with a worn-out heating element may draw more power than the circuit is designed for, triggering a short circuit. 

In this case, the best course of action is to get a professional electrical inspection to make sure the appliance hasn’t caused any lasting damage. Additionally, you should get the appliance replaced with a new one right away so that your family isn’t at risk.

What You Can Do Before Calling an Electrician

Whenever you are uncertain about the problem, call one of our licensed electricians for help. There are also a few key steps you can take before reaching out for professional circuit breaker repairs.

Unplug Devices and Reset the Breaker

First, unplug devices that are on the affected branch circuit. Then, reset the breaker. You should be able to plug the appliances back in at this point. If they trip the breaker, you may have overloaded the circuit or have a different problem. One way to troubleshoot this problem is by seeing if you can use fewer appliances on the same circuit without any issues.

Check for Faulty Appliances

If an appliance is faulty, it could be causing the breaker to trip. See if you notice any visible signs of damage. If the appliance is overheating, you may notice the smell of something burning. Similarly, a faulty appliance will often have performance issues as well.

Testing GFCI Outlets

On a GFCI outlet, there is a test button that is designed to trigger a ground fault. Try pressing this button. If the GFCI outlet trips, then it‘s working correctly. 

Be Cautious About Resetting the Breaker

You should never reset your circuit breaker when there is a burning smell present. Additionally, don’t reset breakers that trip frequently because this indicates that there is an underlying problem that needs to be resolved. If you don’t know why the tripped breaker occurred, you should always seek professional help. 

Resetting the breaker is fine if you know the cause and there aren’t underlying problems. However, if the breaker won’t reset or it trips again immediately, it is time to call for professional help.

When To Call a Professional Electrician

Your electrical systems are essential for the safety of your home. If you are experiencing the following problems, it’s time to call one of our experienced electricians for professional help.

• Recurring Breaker Trip: If you’ve already unplugged all of the devices, you shouldn’t be experiencing any more breaker trips.
• Burning Odors: A burning odor is a sign that something is overheating and represents a major fire risk.
• Sparks: Similarly, sparks indicate a major electrical issue and should be dealt with immediately by a professional.
• Outdated Electrical Panel: Electrical panels should typically be replaced around the 25- to 40-year mark. Besides developing issues over time, older panels are also unable to match today’s electrical needs. By getting a panel upgrade, you can ensure your home’s electrical systems are ready for your appliances, smartphones, and gaming systems.
• New Appliances and Renovations: If you get new appliances or remodel your home, you’ll need to upgrade your electrical systems so that they can match the higher capacity.

Preventing Breaker Trips in the Future

In the future, there are a few steps you can take to avoid electrical overload and breaker issues.

• Spread the Load: To avoid electrical overloads, spread the load across different outlets. Unless the branch circuit was deliberately designed to handle multiple appliances, you should make sure that appliances that have high electricity needs are on different outlets.
• Upgrade Your Panel or Circuits: Even with the best care and maintenance, some of your electrical systems will eventually need to be replaced. If your panel is 25 to 40 years old, it may be time to get an upgrade.
• Get Regular Inspections: One of the most important things you can do to prevent overloaded circuits and tripped breakers is to schedule regular maintenance inspections. During our routine maintenance, we’ll check for faulty wiring, tighten loose connections, and test the performance of your electrical systems. We can also discuss how surge protection can protect your home’s electrical systems.

Professional Help in Bend & Redmond

At Central Oregon, we have the licensed, experienced electricians that local residents know and trust. Since we first opened up in 1993, we have provided residents with legendary customer service, expert consultations, and high-quality services. From same-day appointments to a money-back guarantee, we can help with all of your breaker inspections and repairs.

Does your circuit breaker keep tripping? Give us a call today to schedule your circuit breaker repairs.