Breaker Keeps Tripping: 5 Causes and When to Call

A breaker thatkeeps tripping is doing its job. It shuts off power before a circuit overheats.The cause is usually 1 of 5 things: too much load on 1 circuit, a short, aground fault, a worn breaker, or an older panel that can no longer keep up. Thefirst one you can usually fix yourself. The other 4 need an electrician.

In Houston, thefirst cold front is when this spikes. Space heaters come out, and heat pumpsswitch on their backup heat strips for the first time all year.

Reset It the Right Way in 2 Steps

•    Unplug what wasrunning. Turn off or unplug everything on that circuit, especiallyspace heaters, hair dryers and anything with a motor.

•    Push the breakerfully to Off, then On. A tripped breaker sits in the middle. It willnot reset until you push it all the way to Off first.

If it trips again right away with nothing plugged in,stop resetting it. Never tape a breaker on or swap in a bigger one. Thatremoves the protection and turns a tripped breaker into a fire risk.

5 Reasons a Breaker Keeps Tripping

•    Overloadedcircuit. A space heater draws about 1,500 watts. A standard 15-ampbedroom circuit is built to carry about 1,440 watts continuously. Add a lampand a TV, and the breaker trips. Move the heater to its own circuit.

•    Short circuit. Ahot wire touches a neutral or ground wire. The breaker trips instantly,sometimes with a pop, a scorch mark on an outlet, or a burning smell. Call anelectrician and leave that breaker off.

•    Ground fault. GFCIoutlets and breakers in kitchens, bathrooms, garages and outdoor circuits tripwhen current leaks to ground, often from moisture. A GFCI that trips after rainpoints to a wet outdoor outlet or fixture.

•    Worn breaker. Breakerswear out. One that trips under a light load, feels warm, or will not stay resetmay need replacement.

•    An older panel. FederalPacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco panels are known for breakers that may not tripwhen they should. If your home has either one, have it inspected even ifnothing is tripping.

When the Heat Comes On: A Heat PumpProblem

If the breakerfor your indoor air handler trips the first cold morning, the electric heatstrips are the usual suspect. They draw more power than anything else in thesystem, and a loose connection or failing strip shows up the first time theyrun each year.

If the breakerfor your outdoor AC or heat pump trips, the cause is usually inside the system,like a failing capacitor or a compressor starting hard. That is an HVAC call,and we handle both sides.

Signs You Need a Panel Upgrade

•    Breakers trip often, even after loads are spreadout

•    A Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel

•    No open slots for new circuits

•    A panel that feels warm or shows rust or scorchmarks

•    Plans for an EV charger, a generator, or a homeaddition

Panel Upgrade Offer Through December 31

$250 off apanel upgrade (100A minimum) through December 31, 2026. $500 off a new Generacgenerator through December 31, 2026. Financing available through Hearth.

Common Questions in Houston

Is a breaker that keeps tripping dangerous? Thetrip itself is the safety feature working. Ignoring it, or forcing it to stayon, is what is dangerous.

Can I replace a breaker myself? Working insidea live panel is a job for a licensed electrician. The main lugs stay energizedeven with the main breaker off.

What does it cost to find out why? If you arenot sure what is wrong, our electrical diagnostic is $99.

Still Tripping? Call 281-222-9591

Still tripping? Call 281-222-9591.

Phones  answered 24/7. 2-hour arrival windows. $99 diagnostic.

Beede AC & Heating has  served homes across West Houston since 2010, now with licensed electricians  on staff.

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