Why Does My Breaker Keep Tripping?
A breaker trips to protect the wiring. The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) says circuits that frequently trip, or fuses that blow, indicate an overloaded circuit or possibly faulty wiring or equipment, which can be a shock or fire hazard. A one-off trip after running too much at once is usually overload. A breaker that keeps tripping needs a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
The three usual causes
Most repeat trips come down to one of these:
- —Overload: too many things running on one circuit at the same time
- —A faulty appliance, cord or piece of equipment
- —A wiring problem, such as a loose or damaged connection
Overloaded circuits
A circuit is sized for a certain load. Plug a space heater, kettle and toaster into the same kitchen or bedroom circuit and the breaker may trip. ESA warns about "octopus" outlets with too many devices plugged in, which can overheat, and says not to daisy-chain power cords or extension cords.
ESA's advice for a room that needs more outlets is to contact a Licensed Electrical Contractor to add outlets or circuits, or to use an approved power bar. If several circuits are crowded, the answer may be new circuits, or a panel or service upgrade if the panel itself is full.
A faulty appliance or cord
If the breaker trips every time one particular appliance runs, the appliance or its cord may be the problem rather than the circuit. ESA notes that frayed or damaged cords and cord ends can expose wires and create shock and fire hazards, and recommends replacing damaged cords.
Wiring problems
Trips that happen with little or nothing running point toward the wiring or the breaker itself. ESA lists dim, surging or flickering lights as a possible sign of a loose connection in a lighting circuit, fixture or the electrical service, and says to contact a Licensed Electrical Contractor if you see it.
In homes built between the mid-1960s and late 1970s, aluminum wiring connections are worth having checked. See our aluminum wiring guide. For much older homes, see knob-and-tube wiring.
GFCI and AFCI devices
Some outlets and breakers are designed to trip on specific faults. Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) protect against shock, and ESA recommends them in rooms with water. Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are designed to respond to arcing in the wiring.
ESA recommends testing GFCI outlets monthly, or as the manufacturer says, by pushing the test button. If the power stays on after you push it, ESA says the GFCI is defective and should be replaced by a Licensed Electrical Contractor. ESA also suggests checking GFCIs, AFCIs and hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with their test buttons after a power surge.
What you can safely check
Before you call, these steps are safe for a homeowner and help us diagnose the problem:
- —Note what was running when it tripped, and which breaker it was
- —Unplug or switch off things on that circuit, then reset the breaker once
- —Move a heavy load such as a space heater to a different circuit
- —If the breaker trips again straight away with nothing running, leave it off
- —Do not open the panel cover
- —Do not replace a breaker or fuse with a larger one to stop the tripping
When to call an electrician
ESA says that if you spot overheated plugs or outlets, fuses that blow, or circuits that frequently trip, you should contact a Licensed Electrical Contractor as soon as possible. Call sooner if you notice:
- —A breaker that will not reset, or trips immediately
- —Warm or discoloured outlets, switches or cover plates
- —A burning or hot plastic smell
- —Flickering or dimming lights
- —Scorch marks at an outlet or the panel
How we handle it
Breakers that keep tripping are one of the most common reasons for a service call. We find the cause before recommending a fix, whether that is a repair, a new circuit or more capacity. See electrical service and repairs, or for businesses with repeat problems, service and facility maintenance.
In Ontario, if you hire someone to do electrical work in your home, by law it must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor. ESA Licence #7019041. We serve Guelph, Kitchener, Hamilton and the other communities on our service areas page.
Sources and further reading
This guide draws on the Electrical Safety Authority's Homeowner Electrical Safety Handbook and ESA compliance guidance. It is general information, not advice about your specific property.
Breaker still tripping?
Tell us which circuit, what was running and how often it happens. We will follow up to book a service call.