Circuit breakers (and electrical fuses) work together to keep current from building up to dangerous levels. If they sense more current than they are designed to carry, they "trip" to stop the flow of electricity and protect you from fires or other damage.

Like fuses, they have two metal contact points that can move apart to interrupt the current. They are rated by the amount of normal current they can handle, and also by the maximum short-circuit current that they can safely interrupt.

Tripping

The most common reason a circuit breaker constantly trips is due to an overload of electricity. Each electrical circuit has a maximum capacity that it can safely carry, and when the system is fed more energy than that limit, the wires will start to heat up and generate dangerous sparks that could lead to a fire. The breaker will shut off the flow of power to prevent this, triggering a trip.

Sometimes a single device will draw excessive amps due to an internal problem, such as the electric motor in an air conditioner compressor or a heating unit that has faulty resistance coils. In these cases, the breaker will continue to trip until you disconnect the device and have it evaluated by a licensed electrician. Another serious reason for a circuit breakers to trip is due to a short circuit. This happens when the hot wire comes into contact with the bare ground wire or the case of a metal wall outlet box. You might notice a burning smell and see dark discolouration around the outlet.

Overheating

Every bit of electricity that flows through your home’s circuits runs through your breaker box. It’s designed to prevent electrical fires by carefully monitoring operating temperatures and shutting off the flow of power if necessary. Depending on usage, it’s normal for a breaker to get warm, but if it feels hot to the touch, it can be a serious safety issue.

While a little warmth is perfectly normal, if your breaker feels too hot or emits a burning smell, you need to turn off the power immediately. A bad connection or corrosion on the service lugs can increase electrical resistance, causing the breaker to overheat.

Heavy consumption can also cause your molded breakers to overheat, as they may exceed their capacity. If you notice a burning odor, scorch marks on your panel or flickering lights, it’s time to call an electrician. If left unchecked, overheating can lead to internal failure and dangerous electrical fires. Our team can quickly identify and fix the problem.

Faulty Connections

If your circuit breaker trips and then immediately resets with nothing drawing power from it, this could be a sign of a short circuit. A short circuit happens when a hot wire makes contact with a neutral wire, which can lead to overheated devices and electrical fires. Fortunately, the circuit breaker is designed to detect this and trip as a safety mechanism.

If you hear a loud humming sound, this may indicate that the internal springs and contacts of your breaker are worn out. If you try to flip it on and notice that the switch moves sluggishly, or has a noticeable electrical surge, this is another clear indicator of a broken or faulty breaker. You should also pay attention to any scorch marks flanking your breaker box, outlets and other electrical appliances as these are a clear indication that your wiring is overheating. This is a severe problem that needs to be dealt with ASAP by an electrician, as it can lead to a potential electrical fire in your building.