Too much on one circuit
A common cause. A space heater, kettle, microwave or hair dryer sharing a circuit with other things can draw more than the circuit is rated for. It often trips a few minutes after everything is running.
Electrical problem
Breaker keeps tripping? Here's what it usually means.
A breaker trips to protect the wiring. When one keeps doing it, the circuit is telling you something. These checks are safe to do without removing the panel cover, and they narrow down which kind of problem you have.
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What's likely going on
These are typical causes, not a diagnosis. A pro looking at yours can tell you which it is.
One faulty appliance or cord
If it trips the moment one particular thing is plugged in or switched on, that device or its cord is the likely culprit.
A short or ground fault
If it trips instantly when you reset it, even with nothing plugged in, there may be a fault in the wiring, an outlet or a fixture. That needs an electrician.
An AFCI or GFCI breaker doing its job
Breakers with a TEST button also trip on arcing or ground faults. That can point to a damaged cord, a loose connection or moisture somewhere on the circuit.
A worn-out breaker
Breakers can wear out. Only an electrician can confirm it, and replacing one means working inside the panel.
Safe things to check yourself
- Find what's on the circuitWalk around and note every outlet and light that went dead. That's the circuit. Write down what was running when it tripped.
- Unplug everything on itUnplug devices and switch off lights on that circuit, so the breaker starts with no load.
- Reset it once, firmlyOpen the panel door only, never the metal cover behind it. A tripped breaker often sits in the middle. Push it fully to OFF, then back to ON.
- Add things back one at a timePlug devices back in one by one. If it trips when one goes on, that device is the likely cause. If it trips with nothing plugged in, stop there.
- Spread out heavy loadsMove a space heater, kettle or microwave to an outlet on a different circuit and see if the tripping stops.
Stop and call an electrician, or 911
- You smell burning, or see smoke, scorch marks or melted plastic at an outlet, a switch or the panel. Don't touch it. If there's smoke or fire, get everyone out and call 911.
- The panel, a breaker or an outlet feels hot. Leave it alone and call an electrician.
- The breaker trips instantly every time you reset it, even with nothing plugged in.
- You hear buzzing or crackling from the panel.
Never remove the panel cover or reach inside the panel. Don't hold a breaker in the ON position, tape it on, or swap in a bigger one.
Show a licensed electrician on video
Point your phone at it and a licensed electrician tells you what's likely going on, what's safe to try next and whether it needs someone on site. $34 for 15 minutes or $59 for 30, and you only pay when a pro connects. Hollr is launching across Canada, so join the waitlist for your invite.
Questions
Advice only: Hollr pros diagnose and guide over video, and refer anything that needs hands on site. Live electrical panels and gas lines are never walked through on a call. Hollr checks every electrician's licence with the provincial body that issues it. How we check.
Is it safe to keep resetting a breaker that keeps tripping?
Resetting it once to test is fine. Resetting it over and over isn't: the breaker is cutting power for a reason, and forcing it back on can let wiring overheat. If it trips again after you've removed the load, have an electrician look at it.
Why does my breaker trip when I use the microwave or a space heater?
Usually because that appliance, plus whatever else is on the same circuit, draws more than the circuit can carry. Moving it to another circuit often solves it. An electrician can tell you whether the circuit itself needs changing.
What if the breaker trips with nothing plugged in?
That points to a fault in the wiring, an outlet or a fixture on the circuit rather than something you plugged in. Leave the breaker off and call an electrician.
Can an electrician help with a tripping breaker over video?
Yes, for diagnosis. On a Hollr call, a licensed electrician watches as you go through these checks, tells you what the pattern points to and how urgent it is. They never walk you through anything inside the panel. If it needs that, they tell you so.