A breaker that keeps tripping usually means an overloaded circuit, a faulty appliance or a wiring fault. A typical repair visit in Orlando to trace and fix it costs $150–$500. If it trips with nothing plugged in, leave it off and get it checked.
Why does my breaker keep tripping?
When it trips tells you more than anything else. Use this table to narrow it down before you call.
| When it trips | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| When you run the microwave and toaster together | Overload, too much on one circuit | Move one to another circuit. If it's a regular thing, ask about a new circuit |
| When one appliance turns on | That appliance is probably faulty | Try it on a different circuit. If it trips there too, the appliance is the suspect |
| Right after you reset it, with everything unplugged | A short or ground fault in the wiring | Leave it off and call |
| When it rains or the sprinklers run | Water getting into outdoor wiring | Leave it off if you can and get it traced |
Can I fix a breaker that keeps tripping myself?
Sometimes, if it's an overload or one bad appliance. Those two are safe to test. Our guide to resetting a breaker safely covers the steps. Everything past that, stop. Panel covers stay on, and breakers stay the size they are. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission puts it plainly: find out why a breaker trips, don't simply reset it, and consult a licensed electrician when in doubt.
How does an electrician fix a tripping breaker?
- Checks the load. What is on the circuit, and how much it draws.
- Tests the breaker and wiring. A failed breaker and a bad connection look the same from your side of the panel.
- Gives you the number. You hear the price before the fix starts.
When is a tripping breaker a sign of something bigger?
Pay attention when the problem involves more than one circuit, or the panel itself. Mention these when you book:
- Several breakers trip, in different rooms. The cause may sit further upstream.
- The panel is warm, or smells of burning. Stop using the circuit, and call rather than fill in a form. Smoke or fire means leave and call 911.
- An old panel brand. Mention Federal Pacific or Zinsco if you see the name.
- New big loads. Added an EV charger, pool pump or window unit? You may have outgrown the circuit, or the service.
What changes the price of a breaker repair?
Faults hidden in a wall take longer to find. A failed breaker or damaged wire adds parts. After-hours and weekend calls are priced differently. The electrical repair cost guide shows how local rates add up to $300 for a typical visit. See also flickering lights and all electrical repairs.
Tell us what trips and when. It works in all our service areas, including Orlando, Winter Park and Apopka.
If the panel itself looks wrong, read is my electrical panel dangerous?
Common questions
Does a tripping breaker mean I need a new panel?
Not usually. Most trips trace back to the load on the circuit, one appliance or one bad connection. The electrician tells you if the panel itself is the problem.
Can I just put in a bigger breaker?
No, and please do not. The breaker is sized to protect the wire. A bigger one lets the wire carry more current than it should, which removes the protection you are trying to keep.
Why does my breaker trip when it rains?
Moisture is a common suspect. Water getting into an outdoor outlet, a light or a buried line can cause a fault that shows up only in wet weather. Note the pattern, and leave that circuit off if you can until it has been checked.
Why does my AC breaker keep tripping?
It may be the breaker, the wiring or the AC equipment itself. A failing compressor or capacitor can draw too much. If the breaker holds with the AC off, you may need both an electrician and an HVAC technician to sort it out.
