Moderate Risk

Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping

A circuit breaker that keeps tripping is your electrical system's way of protecting you from overcurrent, short circuits, or ground faults. While sometimes caused by a simple overload, repeated tripping can indicate serious wiring issues that need professional diagnosis.

Circuit breakers are safety devices designed to trip when they detect dangerous conditions — overloaded circuits, short circuits, or ground faults. An occasional trip is normal, but a breaker that trips repeatedly is telling you something is wrong.

Ignoring a repeatedly tripping breaker is dangerous. Never replace a breaker with a higher-amperage one to "solve" the tripping — this bypasses the safety protection and can cause a fire. Instead, call Ergon Electric for professional diagnosis.

Possible Causes

Overloaded circuit

Most Common

Too many devices drawing power on a single circuit exceed the breaker's rated capacity (typically 15A or 20A).

Short circuit

Common

A hot wire touches a neutral or ground wire, creating a sudden surge of current. Often caused by damaged wiring or a faulty appliance.

Ground fault

Common

Current leaks to ground through an unintended path — often due to moisture or damaged insulation. GFCI breakers are designed to detect this.

Faulty appliance

Common

A single appliance with an internal fault can trip its circuit every time it's used. Unplug devices to isolate the culprit.

Worn-out breaker

Moderate

Breakers wear out over time and can start tripping at lower currents than rated. Replacement restores proper function.

Loose wiring connection

Moderate

A loose wire at the breaker or further downstream creates arcing and heat, which can trip the breaker.

Damaged wiring in walls

Less Common

Rodent damage, nail/screw penetration, or deteriorated insulation can cause intermittent short circuits.

What You Can Check

1Identify which breaker is tripping and what circuits/rooms it controls

2Unplug all devices on that circuit and reset the breaker

3Plug devices back in one at a time to identify if a specific appliance causes the trip

4Check for obvious signs of damage — burn marks, melted plugs, damaged cords

5If the breaker trips with nothing plugged in, the issue is in the wiring — call a pro

6Feel the breaker — if it's hot, this indicates a serious problem requiring immediate attention

7Never tape a breaker in the ON position or replace with a higher-amp breaker

Call a Pro When You See

The breaker trips immediately upon reset (won't stay on)

The breaker or panel feels hot to the touch

You see burn marks or smell burning near the panel

Multiple breakers trip simultaneously

The same breaker trips repeatedly even with nothing plugged in

You can't identify the cause after basic troubleshooting

Your panel is a recalled brand (Federal Pacific, Zinsco)

Get a Free Diagnosis (203) 945-7181

Safety Warnings

Never replace a 15A breaker with a 20A or larger to stop tripping

Never force a breaker to stay on with tape or by holding it

Don't repeatedly reset a tripping breaker — each trip can cause arc damage

Don't work inside the panel — the main bus bars are always energized

Typical Cost

$150–$400 for diagnosis and breaker replacement. Wiring repairs: $300–$1,000. Panel upgrade: $1,800–$4,000.

Get Your Free Estimate

Related Services

Panel Upgrades & Replacement

From $1,500

Residential Electrical Service

From $150

Electrical Inspections

From $150

Frequently Asked Questions

The three most common causes are overloaded circuits (too many devices), short circuits (damaged wiring), and ground faults (moisture-related). A licensed electrician can identify the exact cause.

Not recommended. Each trip and reset creates additional stress and potential arc damage. If a breaker trips more than twice, call an electrician.

We don't recommend it. The main bus bars inside your panel are always energized (even with the main breaker off in some configurations). Let a licensed electrician handle breaker replacements safely.

A breaker replacement costs $150–$300. If the cause is a wiring problem, repairs typically range from $300–$1,000 depending on accessibility and extent.

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