How To Find What Is Tripping My Circuit Breaker

If your circuit breakers are tripping consistently, it’s important to identify the underlying issue(s). Let’s take a look at how you can identify what exactly is causing your circuit breaker to trip.

What Is A Circuit Breaker?

Circuit breakers are responsible for regulating how much electricity is flowing to a specific power source, such as outlets or appliances. In the event a circuit is overloaded, it will simply shut itself off to prevent any serious electrical/safety issues.

Circuit breaker switches look like heavy-duty, sideways light switches. The switch will be securely in the “ON” position when the breaker is functioning properly. Whenever the breaker trips, the switch will be out of place toward the panel’s middle area.

What Causes A Circuit Breaker To Trip?

Typically, these breakers trip due to overloaded outlets, or the fact that too many appliances may be running at the same time. The circuit breaker will flip to prevent any electrical surges when it becomes overloaded.

Outlet extenders that add additional spaces for plugs can also overload quickly even if everything that’s plugged in uses a low amount of electricity, overall. Operating multiple high amperage appliances at the same time can also overload a circuit quickly.

How To Identify What Is Causing The Circuit Breaker To Trip

Your first step is to figure out what is causing the circuit breaker to trip. Begin by turning off all the lights, appliances, and other electrical devices in the home. Next, you’ll need to reset the main circuit breaker by turning it off then on.

Following this, turn on each circuit one at a time, and try to identify which one trips the breaker. Once you have identified this circuit, you can focus on the task at hand.

Step 1. Check For Overloaded Circuits

One common reason for circuit breaker tripping is overloading. Each and every circuit can only handle a specified amount of electrical load, typically measured in amps. If you have too many high-powered devices plugged into the same circuit, it may exceed the capacity which causes the breaker to trip.

You can attempt to avoid this by redistributing the devices on different circuits. For example, try plugging your coffee maker and microwave into separate circuits.

Step 2. Look For Short Circuits

Short circuits happen when a “hot” wire contacts a neutral wire. This results in a sudden surge in current. This circumstance can be quite dangerous as it generates excessive heat that could lead to a fire.

In order to check for short circuits, inspect the switches, outlets, and cords connected to the circuit that’s tripping. Check for signs of damaged or loose/frayed connections. If you find any of these issues, call a licensed electrician to address the situation.

Step 3. Check For Any Faulty Appliances

It’s no secret that faulty appliances can be the root cause of circuit breaker trips. Unplug any appliance that you suspect as the culprit, then reset the breaker. If the breaker does not trip, the appliance is likely responsible for the issue.

Always consider contacting a licensed electrician to inspect and repair faulty appliances. It is crucial to address appliance issues immediately to prevent electrical hazards.

Step 4. Inspect Outdoor Electrical Components

It is possible that the problem may not be inside your home. Inspect your outdoor lights, outlets, and extension cords for any signs of damage. Moisture can often lead to short or tripped circuits.

Should I Call An Electrician To Inspect The Circuit Breaker?

To avoid your circuit from overloading again, evaluate the number of appliances you may have plugged into a single outlet. If there are several high amperage appliances plugged into one outlet, it’s suggested to move them to other outlets regulated by different circuits.

If you have gone through all the steps above and still not determined the cause of the tripping, it’s time to contact a professional. Get in touch with Arizona’s most trusted team of electrical contractors at Shield’s Electric today. Allow our team to show you the gold standard of customer service and satisfaction when it comes to all of your electrical needs!

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