Why is circuit breaker tripping

You can address this issue by trying to redistribute your electrical devices and keeping them off of the same circuits as recommend fellow electrical repairmen. You can even turn off some devices to reduce the electrical load on the circuit breaker.

Short Circuits Another common reason why circuit breakers trip is a short circuit, which is more dangerous than an overloaded circuit. Whenever this happens, a large amount of current will flow through the circuit, creating more heat than what the circuit can handle.

When this happens the breaker will trip, shutting off the circuit to prevent dangerous events such as a fire. Short circuits could occur for a number of reasons such as faulty wiring or a loose connection You can identify a short circuit by a burning smell that is usually left around the breaker.

Additionally, you may also notice a brown or black discoloration around it. Ground Fault Surges. Ground fault surges are similar to short circuits. They occur when a hot wire touches a ground wire that is made of bare copper or the side of a metal outlet box which is connected to the ground wire. This will cause more electricity to pass through it which the circuit cannot handle.

The breaker trips in order to protect the circuit and appliances from overheating or from potential fires. If ground fault surges occur, you can identify them through a discoloration around your outlet.

If you avoid or overlook any of these problems, you are putting the safety of your home and loved ones at great risk. Your Name required. Your Email required. Your Phone Number. Your Message. Call Us. What is a Circuit Overload? What is a Short Circuit? What is a Ground Fault? Always follow these electrical safety tips from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA , including: Never repair electrical cords or equipment unless qualified and authorized.

Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical equipment that has gotten wet before energizing it. If working in damp locations, inspect electric cords and equipment to ensure that they are in good condition and free of defects, and use a ground fault circuit interrupter GFCI.

Always use caution when working near electricity. Contact Us Today. When you have a dozen gadgets all demanding electrical current to work, eventually that single outlet's capacity will experience overload, and the circuit will trip. Knowing what each electrical outlet in your house can handle is key to preventing circuit overload.

Even a single high-current appliance like a washing machine cannot plug into just any outlet. Understanding your power outlets is critical for a safer home.

Before you head to your circuit breaker box or call your electrician, notice what was plugged in at the outlet where the tripped circuit occurred. You may have overloaded it. Similar to an overload, when a circuit "shorts," it responds to more current than it can bear. But a short circuit is far more dangerous. A short circuit occurs when a "hot" or active wire comes into contact with either another active wire or a neutral wire.

The touching wires cause a spike in current that can likewise trip your circuit breaker. Most often, the causes for short circuits are mechanical issues like:. Faulty components, like switches, plugs, cords, appliances, or lighting fixtures, are often culprits of short circuits. Short circuits can occur if you screw or nail into drywall and penetrate an electrical wire. Remember that short circuits may involve faulty circuit wiring, but the device you're plugging in can cause the problem as well.

Keep this in mind, especially if you're using older devices or gadgets that have been out of commission for years, as these can be more prone to short circuits, independent of what's going on in the outlet. Due to their volatile nature, short circuits are some of the biggest causes of electrical fires, so be extra attentive and don't hesitate to call a professional. As a general rule, most people should never DIY electrical issues in their homes.

Ground faults occur when an active wire comes into contact with the ground wire. The contact can come directly or indirectly via the metal housing that connects to the ground wire.

Copper grounding wires are especially prone to ground fault surges. Copper is the most conductive material in everyday use when it comes to home electrical systems. When a hot wire touches the ground wire's copper coating, it results in superconductivity that overwhelms the circuit.

A similar result can come from an active wire touching a ground's metal outlet box. So how should you go about troubleshooting a circuit breaker issue? Even though you should leave anything remotely technical to a professional, there are a few things you can do to investigate circuit breaker trip meaning.

First thing's first. Make sure you and your family are safe. Check for signs of excess heat or burning—smell for what could be smoke from an electrical fire.