Circuit breakers protect our homes, electrical appliances, and our lives by cutting off power when too much current flows through a single circuit. If circuit breakers did not do this, then we could suffer serious injuries, property damage, and even death from an electrical fire. Sometimes, though, your circuit breaker keeps tripping even after you identify the problem and reset the breaker. This may leave you wondering: why is my circuit breaker tripping so often? Below, Alexandria electricians at Lombardi Electric break down everything you need to know about circuit breakers: what they are, what they do, what causes them to trip, how to reset them, and more.
If you’re frequently suffering from the inconvenience of a tripped circuit breaker, then it’s time to call in the professionals at Lombardi Electric, because you could have a bigger electrical problem on your hands. Our Alexandria electricians can perform an electrical safety inspection of your home. Once we identify the problem, we’ll make any necessary repairs, replacements, and upgrades. Call 318-545-7575 to speak with a professional electrician today.
What is a Circuit Breaker?
Before we dive into the steps to take when your circuit breaker keeps tripping, it’s essential to understand what a circuit breaker is and its primary function. A circuit breaker, also frequently referred to as an electrical panel, is a crucial component in your home’s electrical system designed to protect against electrical overloads, short circuits, and ground faults. It serves as a safety device to prevent electrical fires and protect your appliances and electronics from damage.
How Does a Circuit Breaker Work?
To appreciate why circuit breakers trip, it’s important to know the basics of how they function. A circuit breaker is like a switch that automatically opens (AKA: trips) when it detects an electrical fault or overload. A circuit breaker will trip to cut off electrical power and so that an electrical fire or shock doesn’t occur. Circuit breakers consists of several components:
Circuit
A circuit is a closed loop of wires that allows electricity to flow through it. Electrical circuits can be dedicated to specific areas or appliances in your home.
Electromagnetic Coil or Bimetallic Strip
Inside the circuit breaker, there is an electromagnetic coil or a bimetallic strip. When an overload or fault occurs, too much power flows through the circuit. This current generates a magnetic field around the coil or causes the bimetallic strip to heat up, triggering the breaker to trip.
Tripping Mechanism
The tripping mechanism responds to the changes in current and opens the circuit, cutting off the electric current. This action interrupts the power supply to prevent further damage to the home’s electrical system as well as the homeowners.
How to Know if a Circuit Breaker Has Tripped
When a circuit breaker trips, it interrupts the flow of electricity to the dedicated circuit it protects. Here are some signs that indicate a circuit breaker has tripped:
- Sudden Loss of Power: The most apparent sign is that the power to a specific room or appliance abruptly shuts off.
- Audible Clicks or Popping Sounds: Some circuit breakers have a reset button or handle that pops out when tripped, accompanied by an audible click or pop sound.
- Tripped Indicator: Modern circuit breaker panels may have indicator lights or labels that show which breaker has tripped.
- Noisy Appliances: In some cases, appliances or devices connected to the tripped circuit may emit a buzzing or humming sound before the breaker trips.
How to Identify a Tripped Breaker
Identifying a tripped breaker is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
- Locate the Electrical Panel: In most homes, the circuit breaker panel is located in the basement, utility room, or garage. It may also be found in a closet or hallway.
- Open the Service Panel Cover: Carefully remove the cover of the circuit breaker panel. Be cautious and avoid touching the panel’s interior components to prevent electrical shock.
- Check for Tripped Breakers: Look for any breakers that are in the “trip” or “off” position. They will typically be in a position different from the others.
- Reset the Tripped Breaker: To reset a tripped breaker, push the handle or lever to the “on” position. You should hear or feel a click as it resets.
Common Reasons Why Circuit Breakers Trip
Circuit breakers trip for various reasons, each of which requires a specific approach to resolve the issue. The three primary causes of circuit breaker trips are circuit overloads, short circuits, and ground faults.
Circuit Overloads
A circuit overload occurs when too much electricity flows through an electrical circuit. This can happen when you connect too many devices or appliances to the same circuit, exceeding its capacity.
Here’s how to fix an overloaded circuit:
- Identify the overloaded circuit by checking the circuit breaker panel.
- Unplug or turn off some devices to reduce the load on the circuit.
- Reset the tripped breaker.
- Consider redistributing your devices across multiple outlets or upgrading the circuit if overloading is a recurrent issue.
Short Circuits
A short circuit occurs when a live wire, or hot wire, touches a neutral wire. Two wires touching can result in a sudden surge of electrical current, causing the breaker to trip. To learn more about neutral wires, see What is a neutral wire?
In order to prevent an electrical short circuit:
- Identify the circuit with the short circuit by checking the circuit breaker panel.
- Inspect the devices and wiring connected to that circuit for damaged or exposed wires.
- Repair or replace any damaged wires or devices.
- Reset the tripped breaker.
Ground Faults
A ground fault occurs when a hot wire and a bare ground wire comes into contact with a grounded surface, such as a metal conduit or the ground itself. This can lead to a dangerous electrical pathway, called a ground fault surge.
In order to prevent ground faults:
- Identify the circuit with the ground fault by checking the circuit breaker panel.
- Inspect the devices and wiring connected to that circuit for any damage.
- Check for ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets in the circuit. If present, press the “reset” button on the GFCI outlet.
- Reset the tripped breaker.
How Do You Reset a Tripped Circuit Breaker?
Resetting a tripped circuit breaker is a straightforward process, but it’s essential to follow the correct steps to ensure safety and prevent further issues:
- Locate the Tripped Breaker: Open the circuit breaker panel and identify the tripped breaker. It will be in the “trip” or “off” position.
- Switch Off All Devices: Before resetting the breaker, make sure all devices and appliances connected to that circuit are turned off or unplugged.
- Reset the Breaker: Push the handle or lever of the tripped breaker to the “on” position. You should feel or hear a click as it resets. Some breakers may have a position labeled “reset.”
- Confirm the Reset: To confirm that the breaker has reset successfully, check that the corresponding area or appliances have power restored.
- If It Trips Again: If the breaker immediately trips again or repeatedly trips after resetting, there may be an underlying issue, and you should consult a qualified electrician at Lombardi Electric.
What To Do When Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping
If your circuit breaker tripped again even after following the steps above, then your home’s electrical system may have an underlying problem. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do next:
Document the Circuit Breaker Trips
Keep a record of when and where the circuit breaker trips. Note which appliances or devices were in use at the time as well as any unusual circumstances.
Identify the Circuit
Determine which specific circuit is tripping. This information will help you narrow down the potential causes.
Unplug or Turn Off Devices
If the breaker trips, start by turning off or unplugging all devices and appliances connected to that circuit.
Reset The Breaker
Reset the tripped circuit breaker as previously described. If it resets without any issues, gradually reintroduce power to the devices one at a time. Observe if the breaker trips again when a particular device is turned on.
Address Overloads
If circuit overloads are the issue, consider redistributing your devices across multiple circuits to balance the load. If necessary, consult an electrician to add additional circuits or upgrade existing ones.
Inspect Wiring and Outlets
Check the wiring and outlets on the circuit for any signs of damage or exposed wires. Address any issues by repairing or replacing damaged components.
Test GFCI Outlets
If the circuit includes ground fault circuit interrupters, ensure they are functioning correctly. Press the “test” and “reset” buttons on each GFCI outlet to verify their operation.
We dive into GFCI outlets here: What is a GFCI outlet?
Look for Loose Connections
Inspect the circuit breaker panel for loose or corroded wires. If you find any, tighten them carefully, but ensure the power is turned off before doing so.
Consider Hiring a Professional Electrician
If you are unable to identify the cause of repeated tripping or if the problem persists, it’s essential to consult with a licensed electrician at Lombardi Electric. Electrical issues can be extremely dangerous and costly, and professional expertise is often required to diagnose and safely address complex problems.
Preventative Measures
To reduce the likelihood of future circuit breaker trips:
- Avoid daisy-chaining multiple power strips or extension cords.
- Use surge protectors for sensitive electronics.
- Regularly inspect your home’s wiring for signs of wear and tear.
- Schedule periodic electrical safety inspections to identify potential issues before they become problematic.
Call Lombardi Electric Today
Frequent circuit breaker tripping can indicate a serious underlying problem with your home’s electrical system. There are only so many times that you can reset your breaker on your own before calling in professional electricians to diagnose the underlying electrical problem. At Lombardi Electric, we can do it all: perform electrical safety inspections, repairs, replacements, upgrades, and more. Call 318-545-7575 to speak to one of our Alexandria electricians today.
