Why Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping and How to Fix It Safely
At North Lakes & Surrounds Electrical, one of the most common calls we get is from homeowners who are frustrated with a circuit breaker that keeps tripping. It always seems to happen at the worst time. You’re cooking dinner, running a load of washing, or watching a movie, and suddenly everything shuts off.
If your power keeps cutting out and you find yourself walking to the switchboard more often than the fridge, you’re not alone. Circuit breakers trip for a reason. They’re a safety feature designed to protect your home, your appliances, and most importantly, your family.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through why it happens, what to do about it, and when it’s time to bring in a professional.
What Does a Circuit Breaker Do?
A circuit breaker is like a guard dog for your home’s electrical system. Its job is to monitor the amount of electricity flowing through a circuit and shut things down if something goes wrong. This could be due to an overload, a fault, or a short circuit.
Tripping means your circuit breaker is doing exactly what it was designed to do. It cuts the power to prevent overheating, fires, or electric shock. So while it can be annoying, it’s actually a sign that your home’s electrical system is protecting you.
Common Reasons a Circuit Breaker Trips
1. Circuit Overload
This is the number one reason for a tripping breaker. A circuit overload happens when too many appliances are drawing power from the same circuit. For example, if you’re running a toaster, microwave, kettle and dishwasher on one kitchen circuit, it may simply be too much.
The breaker trips to prevent the wires from overheating.
How to fix it:
Unplug a few appliances and try resetting the breaker. If the power stays on, the issue was likely too much demand on that one circuit. Long term, you may need an electrician to split the load across more circuits.
2. Short Circuit
A short circuit occurs when a live (active) wire touches a neutral wire. This causes a sudden surge of electricity, which your circuit breaker detects and shuts off immediately. Short circuits are usually more dangerous than overloads and can lead to sparks or fires if ignored.
How to fix it:
Do not attempt to handle a short circuit on your own. If your breaker trips immediately after resetting, or you smell burning or see black marks around power points, call a licensed electrician straight away.
3. Earth Fault or Ground Fault
This happens when a live wire touches a grounded part of your system, such as a metal outlet box or appliance. Just like with a short circuit, the breaker will trip to stop the flow of electricity.
Earth faults are common with older wiring or damaged appliances, especially those used in wet areas like bathrooms or outdoors.
How to fix it:
Unplug all appliances from the affected circuit, then reset the breaker. If it trips again, the issue may be in the wiring and needs professional attention.
4. Faulty Appliances
Sometimes, the problem isn’t your electrical system at all. One faulty appliance can cause your breaker to trip every time it’s plugged in or turned on. Old fridges, kettles, heaters, and even phone chargers can develop internal faults that cause power issues.
How to fix it:
Try plugging appliances in one at a time to see which one causes the trip. Once you find the culprit, stop using it and replace or repair it.
5. Worn or Damaged Wiring
If your home is more than 20 years old and hasn’t had an electrical upgrade, there’s a chance your wiring may be outdated or deteriorating. Cracked insulation, rodent damage, and general wear and tear can all lead to tripping.
How to fix it:
This one is not a DIY job. Worn wiring is a serious fire hazard and should be inspected and repaired by a licensed electrician.
What You Should Never Do
Never keep resetting a breaker that keeps tripping without investigating the cause.
Never use electrical tape or other quick fixes to bypass safety switches.
Never attempt to open your switchboard unless you are trained and qualified.
Never ignore a burning smell or blackened power points.
Electrical issues can escalate quickly. If in doubt, always err on the side of safety.
What You Can Do Safely
Here are a few things you can try before calling an electrician:
1. Unplug Devices
Disconnect everything on the circuit that’s tripping. Reset the breaker and plug items back in one at a time to see if one of them is causing the issue.
2. Spread the Load
Avoid running multiple high-power devices on the same circuit. Use different power points in different rooms if possible.
3. Check for Water Damage
In areas like kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoor spaces, make sure no water has splashed into power points or appliances.
4. Inspect Power Cords
Look for any visible damage to appliance cords or plugs. If anything looks melted, cracked, or frayed, stop using it.
When to Call a Professional
If your breaker continues to trip with nothing plugged in, or if it trips the moment it is reset, the problem is likely in the wiring or the switchboard. These types of faults are best left to a qualified electrician.
At North Lakes & Surrounds Electrical, we’ve seen it all. Whether it’s a simple overload or a deeper wiring issue, we’ll diagnose the problem quickly and fix it properly. We service homes and businesses in North Lakes, Mango Hill, Kallangur, Griffin and surrounding areas.
Could It Be Time for a Switchboard Upgrade?
If you’re experiencing frequent tripping, especially in an older home, your switchboard could be due for an upgrade. Older switchboards with ceramic fuses don’t offer the same protection as modern safety switches and circuit breakers.
Upgrading your switchboard is not just about preventing tripping. It improves safety, brings your home up to current standards, and gives you peace of mind knowing your electrical system is reliable.
Get in touch today!
While a tripping circuit breaker might feel like a nuisance, it’s actually doing an important job by keeping your home safe. The key is understanding why it’s happening and taking the right steps to fix it. Some issues can be solved with a little troubleshooting, but others need a professional diagnosis.
If you’re ever in doubt, don’t take chances with electricity. Give our friendly team at North Lakes & Surrounds Electrical a call. We’ll come out, take a look, and make sure everything is working safely and efficiently.
