How to Fix a Circuit Breaker That Keeps Tripping
A circuit breaker that trips once is doing its job. A breaker that trips repeatedly is telling you something is wrong — either the circuit is overloaded, there's a short circuit, or the breaker itself has failed. Here's how to diagnose each cause.
Likely Causes
- 1Too many high-draw appliances on one circuit (overload)
- 2Short circuit — two wires touching that shouldn't be
- 3Ground fault — hot wire contacting grounded surface or water
- 4Worn breaker that trips under normal load
- 5Loose wire connection in the panel or at an outlet
Repeated tripping is a warning sign. Do not tape a breaker in the ON position or replace it with a higher-amperage breaker — this removes the safety protection.
How to Fix It: Step by Step
- 1Reset the breaker
Push the breaker fully to OFF, then back to ON. If it immediately trips again, there's a fault on the circuit.
- 2Identify the overload
Unplug everything on that circuit. Reset the breaker. If it holds, plug devices back in one at a time to identify which device or combination trips it.
- 3Calculate the circuit load
Add up the wattage of all devices on the circuit. A 15-amp circuit handles about 1,440 watts safely. A 20-amp circuit handles 1,920 watts. If you're close to the limit, redistribute devices to other circuits.
- 4Inspect for a short circuit
If the breaker trips even with nothing plugged in, you likely have a short circuit. Look for outlets or switches with burn marks. A tingling or buzzing sound indicates current leaking.
- 5Check for a worn breaker
Breakers can fail with age — tripping under loads well below their rating. If the circuit wiring is intact but the breaker still trips, the breaker may need replacement.
Materials & Tools Needed
Warning Signs It's Getting Worse
- ⚠Burning smell coming from the panel
- ⚠Breaker feels hot to the touch
- ⚠Visible burn marks or discoloration on breakers or wires
- ⚠Lights flicker on the circuit before it trips
When to Call a Professional
Call an electrician for any work inside the electrical panel beyond flipping a breaker. Panel work involves live wires that remain energized even when the main breaker is off. Also call if you suspect a short circuit or ground fault.
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