Breaker Keeps Tripping? What Homeowners Should Know
A safety-first guide to recurring breaker trips, what information to collect and when to call an electrician.
Do not treat repeated trips as an annoyance
A breaker is a protective device. Repeatedly resetting a breaker without understanding why it trips can ignore an underlying electrical problem.
Observe the circumstances
Note which circuit is affected, what appliances or devices were operating, whether the trip happens immediately or after time, and whether you notice heat, odor, buzzing or visible damage.
Know when to stop
If there is smoke, burning odor, sparking, heat, damaged equipment or other signs of an electrical hazard, avoid further testing and seek qualified help.
What an electrician may evaluate
Depending on the symptoms, an electrician may assess the connected load, devices, wiring, connections, breaker, panel and other circuit conditions before recommending work.
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