A breaker trips because it is doing its job: it shuts off a circuit that is overloaded or faulty. The most common cause is an overload, meaning too many devices (or one power-hungry device) on a single circuit. A breaker that trips again and again, or trips with nothing plugged in, points to a problem that needs a licensed electrician.
The four main reasons a breaker trips
Most trips come down to one of four things.
1. Overload
An overload happens when a circuit is asked to carry more than it is rated for. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) says that going over a circuit's limit will likely trip the breaker.
ESFI's example is a 15-amp, 120-volt circuit. It can carry 1,800 watts, and ESFI does not recommend exceeding 80 percent of that, which works out to 1,440 watts, at any given time.
2. Short circuit
A short circuit is a fault where current takes a path it should not, often because of a damaged cord, plug or appliance. ESFI notes that a short circuit in a product, cord or plug may trip your breaker.
3. Ground fault
A ground fault is current leaking out of its intended path. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) explains that ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are aimed at shock hazards, which is why you will see them as outlets with test and reset buttons.
4. Arc fault
An arc fault is electrical arcing in wiring or a cord, such as from a damaged or loose connection. The CPSC says arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are designed to guard against fires that start from arcing in home wiring. CPSC adds that AFCIs address fire hazards, while GFCIs address shock hazards. If an AFCI breaker trips, it has detected something, so do not ignore repeated trips.
Why space heaters and hair dryers are common culprits
These appliances pull a lot of power for their size. ESFI's own example lists a hair dryer at 1,600 watts, which is already above the 1,440-watt guideline for a 15-amp circuit by itself. Add a second heavy load on the same circuit and a trip is likely.
Space heaters are the classic problem. The CPSC advises plugging electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet, never into an extension cord or power strip, to prevent overloading and fire. ESFI adds that you should not plug any other device into the same outlet as the heater.
What you can safely check yourself
You can do a few simple things without touching anything inside the panel. Do not remove the panel cover.
- Unplug or switch off what is on that circuit. Start with space heaters, hair dryers, toasters and other heating appliances.
- Reset the breaker once. ESFI explains that a tripped breaker may stop partway between on and off, so look closely. Push the switch fully to off and then back on. Do this one time only.
- Add devices back one at a time. If the breaker trips when a certain appliance is turned on, that appliance, or the total load on that circuit, is the likely cause.
If the circuit holds with a lighter load, the answer may be simple: move the heavy appliance to another circuit. If you keep running into the limit, you may need more circuits, which is a job for an electrician.
Never swap in a larger breaker to stop the tripping. The CPSC warns that replacing a correctly sized fuse with a larger one can present a serious fire hazard, because the larger device may not open when it should.
When to stop and call an electrician
Stop troubleshooting and call if you notice any of these:
- A burning smell from an outlet, switch or the panel.
- Buzzing or sizzling sounds from outlets, switches or the panel.
- A hot or discolored outlet or switch. The CPSC says that if an outlet or switch is hot, an unsafe wiring condition could exist, and you should stop using it until a qualified electrician has looked at it.
- A breaker that will not reset, or that trips again right away with nothing plugged in.
- Repeated trips on the same circuit with no obvious cause.
ESFI says an appliance that repeatedly trips a breaker could indicate a defect that may cause a fire or electrical shock. If you cannot tell what caused the trip, ESFI recommends calling a qualified electrician.
What an electrician does on a service call
A service call is a diagnosis, not guesswork. The electrician finds out which circuit is tripping, what is on it, and whether the cause is a heavy load, a failing device, damaged wiring or a loose connection.
Then you get a plain explanation of what was found. We believe in telling you the price up front, before more work begins. Depending on the cause, the fix can be as simple as moving a load, replacing a worn outlet or breaker, or running a new circuit. If the real issue is that the home has outgrown its electrical service, a panel upgrade may be the better long-term answer.
At Gareffa Electric, a scheduled service call starts from $150 flat, and a same-day service call is $350. Both include a diagnostic plus the first hour of work. For planned work like adding circuits, there is also a $100 estimate visit.
Breaker tripping FAQ
Is it safe to keep resetting a breaker that keeps tripping?
No. Reset it once after unplugging devices. If it trips again, the circuit is telling you something is wrong. ESFI says repeated trips could point to a defect that may cause a fire or shock, so have it checked.
Why does my breaker trip when I use a space heater?
Space heaters draw a lot of power, and they often share a circuit with other devices. Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip, and keep other devices off that outlet. If it still trips, the circuit may be overloaded or have a problem, and an electrician should look at it.
Should I open the panel to look for the problem?
No. Even with the main breaker off, the wires feeding the panel from the supply side stay energized, according to OSHA's guidance on panels. Leave the cover on and have a licensed electrician diagnose it.
Need help with a tripping breaker?
Gareffa Electric is a family-owned NJ electrical contractor (NJ Electrical Contractor License #18578, $2M liability insured). We are open Monday through Saturday, 7 AM to 6 PM. Call (973) 662-4333 or book a same-day service call online.
Related guides and services
- Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok) panels: what NJ homeowners should know
- The smoke and CO certificate when selling a house in New Jersey
- Do you need a permit for a panel upgrade in NJ?
- Installing an EV charger at a New Jersey home
- Service calls
We serve all four counties: Bergen County, Essex County, Hudson County and Passaic County.