Electrical Safety

Why Circuit Breakers Trip

A breaker that trips is doing its job. Repeated tripping is a message about the circuit, not a nuisance to reset away.

A breaker is a protective device

A circuit breaker interrupts a circuit when current exceeds what the conductors are rated to carry, or when it detects a fault condition. Tripping is the protection working, not failing.

Common causes

Overloaded circuits happen when more equipment draws power on a circuit than it was designed for. Short circuits and ground faults are fault conditions caused by damaged wiring, failing devices or moisture. Aging breakers and loose connections can also cause repeated tripping.

When to stop resetting

If a breaker trips more than occasionally, trips immediately after reset, or is accompanied by heat, odor or discoloration, stop resetting it and have the circuit evaluated. Repeated resets do not address the underlying condition.

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