Common Reasons Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping And How To Fix It At Home

Imagine you're relaxing in your living room — the lights are on, the TV is streaming your current favorite show, the air conditioner is blowing cool air, and your phones and tablets are plugged in — when suddenly the power goes off. This could be because the circuit breaker trips — interrupts the flow of electricity at specific circuits — to ensure the power being drawn doesn't overload the system. While it may feel like falling from your blissed-out cloud with a painful thud, your circuit breaker may be working hard in the background to keep fire hazards at bay. It also minimizes the risk of short circuits and protects your expensive appliances from damage.

The good news is you just need to locate your fuse box or electrical panel to flip the automatic switch back to fix the issue yourself. If you don't find it inside, don't get discouraged because some breaker boxes are found outside of homes, too. Although the solution is quite simple in theory, you must observe a few precautions, such as wearing protective goggles to keep your eyes safe from rogue sparks. You should also ascertain your hands are dry and you're standing on a wood or plastic surface. Plus, there could be other reasons your circuit breaker keeps tripping. So, to get to the core of the problem and share an actionable fix with you, House Digest spoke exclusively to Dan Mock, VP of operations at Mister Sparky.

Overloads are one of the most likely culprits behind a tripped circuit. But what does this mean? Dan Mock explains in his exclusive interview with House Digest, "Overloads occur when a circuit cannot deliver the amount of power being drawn through an outlet. When a circuit is overloaded, it overheats and trips the breaker before it gets too hot." In other words, if you want an electrical circuit to supply more power than its limit, the breaker will trip.

Another common reason is short circuits — a dangerous scenario wherein "a live electrical wire contacts a neutral wire," describes Mock. "When this happens, the rapid amount of current flow between these two wires overheats the circuit and causes a breaker to trip." The resultant increase in temperature can also cause the fuse to combust, give off an acrid odor, and generate sparks or popping noises.

You also want to keep an eye out for ground faults — a kind of short circuit. Mock says of ground faults, "They occur when a live wire touches a ground wire or ground junction box." If there are some faulty wires in the mix, expect ground faults to trip your breaker. Your appliances could also lead to a tripped breaker. Mock says, "If an appliance is faulty, it can draw too much power from an outlet, overheating the circuit and causing the breaker to trip."

To start, "turn off all appliances and lights on the affected circuit," recommends Dan Mock in his House Digest exclusive. This simple step will diminish the electrical load on your breaker and prevent mishaps. Next, find the electrical panel in your home and determine which circuit breakers control your outlets. Look for a tripped breaker with a switch in between the "on" and "off" positions. "Locate the tripped breaker in your electrical panel, and reset it by flipping it to the 'off' position and then back to the 'on' position," Mock says. Don't directly flip it to the "on" position since you want to cut off the electricity supply to the problematic circuit before you troubleshoot it.

When you've successfully fixed the tripped circuit breaker, exercise patience and give it some time before switching on the lights and plugging your devices back in. However, Mock warns, "if it trips again immediately, there is likely a more serious electrical problem and you should contact a professional electrician." You also don't want to force a breaker that won't easily flip since it could signify a more troubling issue. 

Mock advises against bypassing the breaker, saying, "Never try to bypass a tripped breaker by using a wire or other makeshift solution." However, he adds, "If you can safely access the circuit, look for any visible damage to the wires, such as fraying or exposed insulation." And finally, he recommends, "If you are not comfortable working with electrical systems, or if the problem seems complex, call a licensed electrician immediately."