Electrical
Why Does My Breaker Keep Tripping? Causes and What to Do
Short answer
A breaker trips to protect the circuit from overload, a short circuit or an earth leakage fault. Unplug everything on the circuit, reset the breaker once, then plug devices back one by one to find the culprit. If it trips with nothing connected, or keeps tripping, call an electrician. Never fit a bigger breaker.
What a tripping breaker is telling you
A breaker is a safety device. It trips when current exceeds its rating (overload), when a live conductor touches neutral or earth (short circuit), or, for an RCD, when current leaks to earth.
Common causes
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Trips when several appliances run together | Overloaded circuit | Spread loads across circuits; ask an electrician about a new circuit |
| Trips instantly when you switch on one appliance | Faulty appliance or short circuit | Unplug it and have it repaired; test the circuit without it |
| RCD trips, especially in wet weather | Earth leakage, damp or damaged cable | Isolate circuits one at a time; have an electrician test insulation |
| Trips with nothing plugged in | Faulty wiring or socket | Stop using the circuit and call an electrician |
| Breaker feels hot or smells | Loose connection or failing breaker | Switch off and call an electrician |
| Trips during storms | Surge or lightning-related fault | Check for surge protection; inspect after storms |
Safe steps to find the problem
- Unplug or switch off everything on the tripped circuit.
- Reset the breaker once. If it trips immediately with nothing connected, stop and call an electrician.
- If it holds, plug appliances back one at a time.
- When it trips, you have found the appliance or the overloaded combination.
- Have the appliance repaired or move it to a different circuit.
What not to do
- Do not replace the breaker with a larger one. The breaker protects the cable, and a bigger one lets the cable overheat.
- Do not hold the breaker on or tape it up.
- Do not ignore an RCD that keeps tripping. It may be detecting dangerous leakage.
When to call an electrician
Call one whenever the breaker keeps tripping, trips with nothing connected, feels hot, or you smell burning. A tester can measure insulation and find leakage you cannot see. Read more about earthing and RCD protection.
Common questions
Is a tripping breaker dangerous?
The tripping itself is the protection working. The danger is the fault behind it, or defeating the protection by fitting a bigger breaker.
Why does my RCD trip when it rains?
Moisture can create small leakage paths in outdoor sockets, lights, pumps and damaged cable. An electrician can locate the circuit and fix it.
Can too many appliances trip the main breaker?
Yes. If total demand exceeds the supply or main breaker rating, it trips. A load check shows whether the supply needs upgrading.