Why Does My Circuit Breaker Keep Tripping?

A circuit breaker that keeps tripping is usually caused by one of four things: an overloaded circuit, a faulty appliance, a wiring fault, or a switchboard that can no longer handle your home's load. An occasional trip is the breaker doing its job, but repeated tripping is a warning sign that should be tracked down rather than reset over and over.

What a circuit breaker actually does

Every circuit in your home is protected by a circuit breaker in the switchboard. When more current flows through the circuit than the wiring is rated for, or when there's a short circuit, the breaker switches off to stop the cable overheating. It's a protective device for the wiring, which is why a tripping breaker is never something to "fix" by holding it on, taping it up or swapping it for a bigger one.

Many homes also have safety switches (RCDs), which trip for a different reason: electricity leaking to earth, such as through a damaged appliance or a person. If the switch that keeps dropping out has a "Test" button, it's a safety switch rather than a standard breaker. See Safety Switch vs Circuit Breaker for the difference.

1. Circuit overload

The most common cause is simply asking one circuit to do too much at once. Heaters, kettles, toasters, microwaves, hair dryers, air fryers and portable air conditioners all draw a lot of power. Run two or three of them on the same circuit and the breaker trips.

Signs it's overload: the trip happens when a particular combination of appliances is running, usually at busy times like breakfast or winter evenings, and the breaker resets and stays on once some of them are switched off.

What to do: spread high-draw appliances across different circuits. If you're regularly overloading a circuit, an electrician can add a new dedicated circuit or more power points so the load is shared properly.

2. A faulty appliance

If the breaker trips the moment one appliance is switched on, that appliance (or its cord) is the likely cause. Damaged cords, failed heating elements and moisture inside appliances are common culprits, especially in kettles, washing machines, dishwashers and outdoor equipment.

A simple test: switch everything off on that circuit, reset the breaker, then turn appliances on one at a time. If it trips on the same appliance each time, unplug it and have it repaired or replaced before using it again.

3. A wiring fault

If the breaker trips with nothing unusual plugged in, or trips instantly every time you reset it, the problem is more likely in the fixed wiring. Possible causes include a short circuit, a loose connection in a power point or light fitting, water getting into an outdoor power point, or cable damaged by renovations, screws or rodents.

This is the situation where you should stop resetting the breaker. Wiring faults can generate heat inside walls and ceilings, and they need a licensed electrician to trace and repair.

4. An ageing or undersized switchboard

Many Melbourne homes still have switchboards installed decades ago, before ducted heating and cooling, induction cooktops, home offices and EV chargers. If tripping started after you added a major appliance, or happens across several circuits, the switchboard may simply be at capacity. Old switchboards with ceramic fuses or worn breakers can also trip inconsistently. Our guide to signs your switchboard needs upgrading covers what to look for.

How to safely reset a tripped breaker

• Switch off or unplug appliances on the affected circuit.
• Open the switchboard and find the breaker in the "off" or middle position.
• Push it fully to "off", then back to "on".
• Turn appliances back on one at a time to see whether the trip returns.

Never reset a breaker if you can smell burning, see scorch marks or hear buzzing from the switchboard, or if your hands or the floor are wet.

When to call an electrician

• The breaker trips repeatedly and you can't link it to an appliance
• It won't reset, or trips again immediately
• There's a burning smell, heat, buzzing or scorch marks at the switchboard or a power point
• Several circuits are affected at once
• Tripping started after renovation work or a storm

A licensed electrician can test the circuit's insulation, find the fault and tell you whether it's a simple repair, a new circuit or a switchboard upgrade. VU Electrical offers 24/7 emergency callouts across Melbourne if you've lost power to an essential circuit.