Originally published November 2014, updated November 2016

Dealing with a tripped electrical breaker is typically an annoyance that can be easily remedied. However, a breaker that continues to trip after being reset points to a bigger problem. If the electricity continues to fail in one part of your Charlottesville, Virginia, home, it’s important to contact a professional electrician immediately. A tripped electrical breaker could be a sign of problems that could damage appliances or even cause a fire.

What Causes My Electrical Breaker to Trip?

Dealing with an electrical breaker that keeps tripping can be a nuisance. This situation could indicate that a larger problem is occurring in the wiring in your home. Here are the most common reasons for an electrical breaker to trip:

• You may be dealing with an electrical overload if there are too many appliances plugged into one outlet. Devices that draw excess current could also lead to this problem.

• Breaks in a wire can cause short circuiting. This can also occur if hot wires touch or come into contact with a neutral wire.

• A ground fault is a type of short circuit which causes your breaker to trip after a ground wire touches another wire or comes into contact with metal.

Fixing a Tripped Electrical Breaker

You can often repair a tripped breaker without professional assistance. Follow these steps to correct the problem.

• Find the service panel that allows you to control the electrical breakers in your home. It is common for these panels to be placed in basement or garage.

• Determine which circuit is affected. The tripped breaker may be between the off and on position.

• Turn the breaker on and check if power has been restored in the affected area(s)

If the problem is not resolved, it’s time to contact a professional. If you suspect that the problem is being caused by an overloaded circuit, be sure to unplug the appliances that are causing the overload. Consider using only one appliance at a time to avoid this issue.

Getting Help With Electrical Issues

While you can deal with some electrical problems on your own, it is important to call an electrician for larger issues. Trying to fix electrical problems without experience can be dangerous. W.E. Brown employs knowledgeable electricians who can provide service 24 hours a day. Call us at (434) 295-1177 for your routine or emergency needs.

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