Breaker Keeps Tripping? Here’s How to Find What’s Causing It, by Fix it with Jay on YouTube. 28 min 40 s.
- Video length
- 28 min 40 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Reset the tripped breaker once by pushing the handle fully to off, then back to on. If it trips again straight away, stop resetting it and start looking for the cause.
Note what was running when it tripped, such as a heater, air fryer or hair dryer. High-wattage appliances on one circuit are the most common cause of repeated trips.
Add up the amps of the appliances on that circuit. Divide watts by 120 to get amps, and compare the total with the breaker rating printed on its handle.
Try to recreate the trip by running the same appliances again. If it trips at the same point, you have narrowed the problem to that load or that outlet.
Unplug everything on the circuit and switch the breaker back on. If it holds with nothing plugged in, the fault is in an appliance or device, not the wiring.
Plug the appliances back in one at a time and run each one. The appliance that trips the breaker is the culprit, so stop using it or have it repaired.
Check any GFCI outlets on the circuit and press the test and reset buttons. A tripped or faulty GFCI can cut power and look like a breaker problem.
With the breaker off, remove the cover plates and pull outlets out to look for loose screws, backstab connections, scorch marks or pinched wires. Tighten or repair anything loose.
If the circuit checks out, suspect the breaker. Turn off the main breaker, remove the panel cover and test the breaker with a meter before removing it.
Isolate the breaker by disconnecting its circuit wire and turning it on alone. If it still trips with no load, the breaker is bad and needs replacing with the same type and rating.
Tips and common mistakes
Never work inside the panel with the main breaker on, since the main lugs stay live even when individual breakers are off.
Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips instantly, because a short circuit can damage wiring or start a fire.
Replace a breaker only with the same brand, type and amp rating that the panel lists.
If you are not confident around live electrical parts, stop and call a licensed electrician.
Questions
Why does my breaker trip with nothing plugged in?
That points to a fault in the wiring, a damaged outlet or a bad breaker rather than an overload. Keep the breaker off and check the circuit for loose or damaged wires before using it again.
How do I know if the breaker itself is bad?
Disconnect the circuit wire from the breaker and turn it on with no load. If it still trips on its own, the breaker is faulty and should be replaced.
Can I just replace the breaker with a bigger one?
No. The breaker size must match the wire gauge and the circuit design. A larger breaker can overheat the wiring and create a fire risk.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
