Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping? Common Causes & Solutions

If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, it’s doing its job! Shutting the power off to prevent overheating, electrical damage, or even a fire. The real question is why it’s tripping and whether you can safely fix the issue or need a licensed electrician.

Below is a clear, homeowner-friendly guide to the most common causes of a tripping breaker, what you can check safely, and when it’s time to call Brandon Electric for professional diagnosis and repair in Brandon, Tampa, Riverview, Clearwater, Orlando, and surrounding Tampa Bay areas.

First—A Quick Safety Check (Do This Before Troubleshooting)

If you notice any of the following, stop and call an electrician immediately:

• Burning smell, smoke, or scorching near outlets/panel
• Buzzing/crackling sounds from the panel
• Breaker or panel feels hot to the touch
• Flickering lights + breaker trips repeatedly
• Water intrusion near the panel or outlets

Safe first steps you can take:

1. Turn off/unplug devices on the circuit that tripped.
2. Flip the breaker fully OFF, then back ON.
3. If it trips again quickly, leave it OFF and move to the “common causes” (on click scroll to frame) section below.

What Does It Mean When a Breaker Trips?

A breaker trips when it detects an unsafe condition, usually:

• Too much power draw - overload
• A wiring fault - short circuit
• Electricity leaking to ground - ground fault
• Arcing detected - AFCI/arc-fault breakers
• A failing breaker or panel component

Common Causes of a Circuit Breaker That Keeps Tripping

1) Circuit Overload

This happens when too many devices are running on the same circuit, such as space heaters, hair dryers, microwaves, air fryers, vacuums, and window A/C units.

Signs it’s an overload:

• Trips only when multiple things run at once
• Works fine until you turn on a high-watt appliance
• Breaker resets and stays on if you reduce usage

Safe solution: Unplug a few items and try again. Long-term, you may need:

• A dedicated circuit for a heavy appliance
• Additional circuits
• A panel evaluation to support your home’s load

2) Short Circuit

A short circuit occurs when a hot wire touches neutral (or another hot), causing a sudden surge.

Signs it may be a short:

• Breaker trips immediately when you reset
• You hear a pop or see a flash at an outlet/device
• There’s discoloration around an outlet or switch

What to do: Leave the breaker OFF and call a pro. Short circuits can damage wiring and create fire risk.

3) Ground Fault

Ground faults happen when electricity “leaks” to ground. This is often due to moisture or damaged cords.

Signs it may be a ground fault:

• • Trips when using appliances near water
  • Outdoor outlets or garage outlets cause trips

GFCI outlet won’t reset or keeps popping

Safe solution: Unplug devices and check for moisture. If it persists, schedule diagnostics.

4) AFCI / Arc-Fault Breaker Nuisance Tripping

Newer homes (and updated panels) may have AFCI breakers that trip when they detect arcing, sometimes from:

• Loose plugs
• Worn cords
• Certain vacuum motors or treadmills
• Aging wiring connections

Signs it may be AFCI-related:

• Trips randomly or when a motor starts
• Happens on bedroom/living area circuits more often

5) A Failing Appliance

Sometimes the breaker is reacting correctly to a bad appliance.

Quick test:

• Unplug everything on the circuit
• Reset breaker
• Plug devices back in one at a time until it trips

If one device repeatedly triggers the trip, that appliance likely needs repair/replacement.

6) Loose Wiring or a Weak Connection

Loose connections can heat up, arc, and trip breakers, often showing up as:

• Flickering lights
• Intermittent power loss
• Breaker trips with no obvious pattern

This is not DIY-safe inside the panel. You’ll want a licensed electrician.

7) The Breaker Itself Is Worn Out

Breakers can fail over time. If your breaker trips too easily or won’t reset, replacement may be the fix, but only after confirming the circuit is safe.

8) Electrical Panel Issues

If you’re seeing frequent trips across different breakers, or the main breaker trips, it could be:

• Panel age/corrosion
• Load capacity issues
• Bus bar damage
• Utility-side issues (rare, but possible)

What to Do Based on When It Trips

• If it trips immediately after you reset it: Likely short circuit or ground fault → leave OFF and schedule diagnosis.
• If it trips only when you run certain appliances: Likely overload or failing appliance → reduce load or test appliances one-by-one.
• If it trips randomly (especially at night or during storms): Could be a loose connection, moisture intrusion, or panel issue → schedule inspection.

When to Call Brandon Electric

If your breaker keeps tripping more than once, it’s time to stop guessing.

Brandon Electric can troubleshoot quickly by checking:

• Circuit load and amperage draw
• Signs of overheating/arcing in connections
• GFCI/AFCI behavior and fault patterns
• Wiring integrity and outlet/switch conditions
• Breaker and panel health
• Whether you need a repair, breaker replacement, or panel upgrade

Need an Electrician in Brandon or Tampa Bay?

If your breaker keeps tripping, we’ll find the cause and fix it safely, whether it’s a failing breaker, overloaded circuit, or wiring fault.

Call Brandon Electric or request an appointment today.