A circuit breaker that trips again and again is not a nuisance to ignore. It is a safety device doing exactly what it was designed to do. The key is figuring out why it keeps tripping.

The three most common causes

• Overloaded circuit: too many devices drawing power on one circuit at the same time.
• Short circuit: a hot wire touching a neutral or ground, often in a device or outlet.
• Ground fault: a hot wire contacting a grounded surface, common in damp areas like kitchens, baths, and garages.

What you can do first

Unplug devices on the affected circuit and reset the breaker once. If it holds, you were likely overloaded. If it trips again right away, or the panel is warm or smells of burning, stop and call a professional. Repeatedly resetting a breaker that keeps tripping can damage it and hide a real fault.

When to call an electrician

If a breaker will not reset, trips with nothing plugged in, or the panel feels hot, it is time for a diagnosis. We test the circuit to pinpoint the cause and make the repair, and we never simply oversize a breaker to stop the tripping.

Learn more about circuit breaker repair and our 24-hour emergency service, or call 817-533-0943.