A tripping breaker is doing its job
A breaker is a switch that turns itself off when it detects a problem. When one trips, it has usually just protected the wire in your walls from overheating. That is annoying when the microwave goes dark mid-meal, but it is far better than the alternative.
Breakers trip for three main reasons. Knowing which one you are dealing with tells you whether a reset is fine or whether something needs fixing.
Overloads: too much on one circuit
An overload happens when the devices on a circuit draw more current than the breaker is rated for. Space heaters, kettles, hair dryers, toasters and portable air conditioners are the usual culprits. In an Edmonton cold snap, a space heater in a basement bedroom sharing a circuit with a home office is a classic case.
Breakers are built to tolerate brief surges, such as a motor starting, and to trip only when the extra current lasts long enough to heat the wire. That is why an overload trip often comes a few seconds or minutes after you switch something on.
If the same circuit trips when a heater and another appliance run together, move one of them to a receptacle on a different circuit. If that is not practical, ask about a dedicated circuit.
Shorts and ground faults
A short circuit is when a hot conductor touches a neutral or another hot conductor. The current spikes instantly and the breaker trips right away, sometimes with a bang or a flash at a receptacle or appliance. Damaged cords, a loose wire in a box or a failed appliance can all cause it.
A ground fault is when current escapes to ground, for example through a wet receptacle outdoors or a damaged tool. GFCI devices are designed to catch these at very small currents to protect people from shock. Arc-fault (AFCI) breakers trip on the electrical signature of sparking in damaged wiring. Our GFCI and AFCI guide covers both.
If a breaker trips the moment you reset it, with nothing plugged in, there is likely a fault in the wiring or a device on the circuit. Leave it off and call a licensed electrician.
How to reset a breaker safely
- Unplug or switch off the things on that circuit, especially heaters and appliances that were running when it tripped.
- Open the panel door. Stand to the side with dry hands and dry feet. Do not remove any covers.
- Find the breaker whose handle is in the middle or not lined up with the others.
- Push the handle firmly all the way to OFF. You should feel a click.
- Push it back to ON.
- Plug things back in one at a time, starting with the most important.
If the breaker holds, the trip was probably a simple overload. Make a note of what was running so you can avoid the same combination.
Common trip patterns in Edmonton homes
Most nuisance trips follow a handful of familiar patterns. Matching yours to one of these often points straight to the cause.
| What happens | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Garage or outdoor circuit trips on cold mornings | Block heater, heat tape or a space heater sharing one circuit | Move a load, or ask about a dedicated garage circuit |
| Bathroom receptacle dies when the hair dryer runs | Overload, or the GFCI receptacle has tripped | Press reset on the GFCI; avoid running two heating appliances |
| Outdoor receptacle is dead after rain or a chinook melt | Moisture tripping the GFCI | Let it dry, reset the GFCI, check the cover is a proper in-use cover |
| Kitchen trips with the kettle and microwave on | Two high-wattage appliances on one circuit | Use them on different counter receptacles |
| Bedroom circuit trips when vacuuming | AFCI reacting to a worn motor or cord, or a real fault | Try another appliance; if it keeps happening, call |
If your situation does not fit a simple pattern, or the fix means giving up something you need to use, that is a good reason to have an electrician look at how your circuits are laid out.
When to stop resetting and call
Resetting a breaker once is normal. Resetting the same breaker every week is a sign that something needs to change. Call an electrician if you notice any of these:
- The breaker trips again immediately, or trips with nothing plugged in.
- It trips repeatedly at the same time of day or when one appliance runs.
- You smell burning, see scorch marks on a receptacle or hear buzzing in the panel.
- The breaker feels hot, or will not stay in the ON position.
- Lights dim or flicker on other circuits when something starts up.
- Your home has an older panel type that insurers flag. See obsolete and problem panels.
The fix might be as simple as moving a load, or it might be a new circuit, a replacement breaker or a panel replacement. An electrician will test the circuit, check the connections behind the cover and tell you which it is.
Swapping a 15 A breaker for a 20 A one to stop nuisance trips removes the protection for the wire. The breaker size must match the wire and the load, which is why the fix belongs with a licensed electrician.
Common questions
Is it bad to reset a breaker often?
The reset itself is fine, but frequent trips mean the circuit is overloaded or has a fault. Find the cause rather than living with it.
Why does my breaker trip only in winter?
Space heaters, block heater cords and heat tapes add a lot of load in cold weather. A circuit that copes in summer can be overloaded in January.
Can a breaker wear out?
Yes. Breakers can weaken over time and trip below their rating, or in rare cases fail to trip. An electrician can test and replace a suspect breaker.
The breaker did not trip but a receptacle is dead. Why?
Check for a tripped GFCI receptacle elsewhere on the circuit, often in a bathroom, garage or outdoors, and press its reset button. If that does not help, call an electrician.
Codes and permit rules change and every building is different. For work on your system, talk to a licensed electrician and your local permit authority.