Why Does My Breaker Keep Tripping? Overload, Short or Ground Fault
A breaker trip is a safety device doing its job. When it tells you the same thing again and again, how and when it trips is the clue to what is wrong.
Quick answer
If it trips when several things run at once (a space heater, hair dryer or microwave), the circuit is overloaded: move heavy loads to other circuits. If it trips with only one appliance, that appliance is likely faulty. If it trips the moment you reset it, or with everything unplugged, there is a short or ground fault: leave it off and call an electrician. Never fit a larger breaker or fuse.
- Difficulty
- Easy DIY
- Typical 15-amp circuit
- About 1,500 watts at once (CPSC)
- Typical 20-amp circuit
- About 2,000 watts (CPSC)
- Reset
- Push fully to Off, then On
- Never
- Install a bigger breaker or fuse to stop trips
On this page
Each breaker in your panel protects one branch circuit: the wiring that runs to a group of outlets, lights or a single large appliance. It opens the circuit when the current gets high enough to heat the wire dangerously. That can happen slowly, when too many appliances share the circuit, or instantly, when a wire or appliance shorts.
Read the trip
| When it trips | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| After running a while with several appliances on | Overload | Move heavy loads to other circuits |
| Whenever one particular appliance runs, on any circuit | Faulty appliance | Stop using it; repair or replace |
| Only when one particular outlet or switch is used | Wiring or device fault at that point | Electrician |
| The instant you reset it, with everything unplugged | Short circuit or ground fault in the wiring | Leave it off; electrician |
| GFCI breaker or outlet trips, often in wet weather | Moisture or leakage in an outdoor or bathroom circuit or device | Dry and inspect; electrician if it continues |
| AFCI breaker trips repeatedly | Arcing from a damaged cord, loose connection or plug | Check cords; electrician |
The CPSC guide draws the same lines: an appliance that repeatedly trips a breaker on any circuit is likely defective, while trips tied to a particular switch, light or outlet call for a qualified electrician.
Overload: the most common cause
The CPSC uses about 1,500 watts as the practical limit for a typical 15-amp lighting and outlet circuit, and about 2,000 watts for a 20-amp circuit, such as some kitchen circuits. Add up the wattage on the labels of everything that runs at the same time on that circuit.
| Appliances running together | Total | 15-amp circuit | 20-amp circuit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space heater (1,500 W) + lamp (60 W) | 1,560 W | Overloaded | OK |
| Hair dryer (1,400 W) + iron (1,000 W) | 2,400 W | Overloaded | Overloaded |
| Portable heater (1,200 W) + vacuum (600 W) | 1,800 W | Overloaded | OK |
| Deep fryer (1,300 W) + portable fan (150 W) | 1,450 W | OK | OK |
The last three rows are the CPSC guide’s own examples. Wattages vary, so check the label on each appliance, or look it up in the appliance energy cost calculator.
Fixes: run the biggest loads one at a time, move a space heater or window AC to an outlet on a different circuit, and do not chain extension cords or power strips to get more outlets. UL suggests asking an electrician about adding circuits or dedicated lines for major appliances if you keep needing more capacity. The U.S. Fire Administration gives the same advice in fewer words: do not overload outlets or power strips, and use power strips that have internal overload protection.
Step by step
- Unplug or switch off everything on the circuit.
Note what was running when it tripped.
- Reset the breaker.
Push it firmly to Off, then to On.
- If it trips again right away with nothing on,
stop. Leave it off and call an electrician: the fault is in the wiring, an outlet or a hard-wired fixture.
- If it holds, add loads back one at a time.
If it trips when one appliance starts, try that appliance on another circuit. If it trips there too, the appliance is the problem.
- If it trips only when everything runs together,
it is an overload. Spread the loads out.
Never replace a breaker or fuse with a larger one, tape a breaker on, or put anything but the correct fuse in a fuse holder. The CPSC warns that oversized fuses and breakers let branch wiring overheat, which can start a fire inside the walls. If you smell burning, see scorch marks, hear buzzing from the panel, or the panel feels hot, leave the breaker off and call an electrician.
When it is the appliance
Motors and heating elements fail in ways that trip breakers: a shorted heating element in a space heater or dryer, a failing motor in a vacuum or garbage disposal, a damaged cord. The CPSC advises getting a qualified repair person or replacing an appliance that repeatedly trips breakers, because the defect can also cause fire or shock.
Older homes and fuses
Homes with fuse panels follow the same logic. The CPSC notes that most household lighting and outlet circuits should be fused at 15 amps, or 20 only when the circuit is wired for it, and recommends type-S fuse adapters so a larger fuse cannot be screwed in. If fuses blow often, keep track of which circuit and which appliances were running, and have an electrician evaluate the panel.
Related guides: an outlet that is not working, flickering lights and space heater safety.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reset a tripped breaker?
Find the breaker whose handle is in the Off position or stuck in the middle. The CPSC notes some breakers trip to an intermediate position close to On, which is easy to miss. Push the handle firmly all the way to Off, then back to On.
Is it dangerous if a breaker keeps tripping?
The breaker is protecting the wiring, so the trip itself is the safe outcome. The danger is ignoring the cause or defeating it. The CPSC warns never to install a higher-rated fuse or breaker, because it allows the wiring to overheat. Trips with nothing plugged in, burning smells, or warm panels need an electrician.
Why does my breaker trip when I use a space heater?
A typical space heater draws about 1,500 watts on its high setting, which is about the whole practical capacity the CPSC gives for a 15-amp circuit. Add a lamp, TV or vacuum on the same circuit and the breaker trips. Plug the heater into an outlet on a circuit with little else running, directly into the wall.
Can a breaker go bad?
Yes. Breakers can wear out and trip below their rating, or fail to trip at all. An electrician can test the breaker and the circuit; replacing a breaker means working inside the panel, which is not a homeowner job.
What is the difference between a GFCI or AFCI trip and a regular trip?
A standard breaker trips on overload or short circuit. A GFCI trips on current leaking to ground, often from moisture or a damaged cord. An AFCI trips on the arcing that damaged cords or loose connections produce. Repeated GFCI or AFCI trips point to a specific device or wiring problem worth tracking down.
Sources
- CPSC Guide to Home Wiring Hazards U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- 8 Signs You May Have a Problem With Your Electrical Wiring UL Solutions
- Appliance and Electrical Fire Safety U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA)
First published October 7, 2026. Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Spot an error? Tell us and we will check it against the source.