Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping? Try This First

That annoying circuit breaker keeps flipping off and you can't figure out why. Before you call an electrician, here's a simple step-by-step process to work out what's causing it - and when you actually need to pick up the phone.

WHAT IS A CIRCUIT BREAKER AND WHY DOES IT TRIP?

Your switchboard is the heart of your home's electrical system. Each circuit breaker protects a specific circuit in your house - lights, power points, kitchen, air conditioning and so on. When it detects too much current flowing through - caused by a faulty appliance, overloaded circuit or wiring fault - it automatically trips to OFF to protect you and your home from electrical fire or damage.

It's actually doing its job. The question is - what caused it?

STEP 1 - GO TO YOUR SWITCHBOARD

Head to your switchboard - usually in the garage, laundry or on an outside wall. Open it up and look for the switch that has flipped to the OFF position or is sitting in the middle between ON and OFF. That's your tripped breaker.

STEP 2 - FLICK IT BACK TO ON

Push the tripped switch firmly back to the ON position.

If it immediately trips back off - stop right there. Do not keep flicking it. This means there is a wiring fault or a serious electrical issue on that circuit. This needs a licensed electrician. Call Lee on 0429 605 758.

If it stays on - great! Move to Step 3.

STEP 3 - UNPLUG EVERYTHING ON THAT CIRCUIT

Work out which circuit tripped - the label on your switchboard should tell you (kitchen, bedroom, power etc). Go around your home and unplug every single appliance on that circuit. Toasters, kettles, microwaves, phone chargers, heaters - everything out of the wall.

STEP 4 - FLICK THE BREAKER BACK ON AGAIN

With everything unplugged, go back to the switchboard and switch the breaker back to ON.

If it trips again with nothing plugged in - this is a wiring fault, not an appliance. You need a licensed electrician. Call Lee on 0429 605 758.

If it stays on - one of your appliances is the culprit. Move to Step 5.

STEP 5 - PLUG APPLIANCES BACK IN ONE BY ONE

Go back and plug your appliances back in one at a time, waiting about 30 seconds between each one. When the breaker trips again — the last appliance you plugged in is your problem.

Unplug that appliance and don't use it again until it has been tested or replaced. The circuit should now stay on with everything else plugged back in.

STEP 6 - COULD IT BE AN OVERLOADED CIRCUIT?

Sometimes it's not a faulty appliance -it's too many appliances running at once on the same circuit. High-draw appliances like heaters, microwaves, air conditioners and kettles on the same circuit can overload it.

Try spreading your appliances across different power points in different rooms, or consider asking an electrician about adding a dedicated circuit for high-draw appliances.

WHEN TO CALL AN ELECTRICIAN

Call Lee immediately if:

- The breaker trips back off the moment you flick it on

- The breaker trips with nothing plugged in

- You notice burning smells, scorch marks or warm power points

- The breaker trips repeatedly even after you've removed the faulty appliance

- You're not confident working near your switchboard

Switchboards can be dangerous. If in doubt - don't touch it, call a pro.

Need help on the Gold Coast or Northern Rivers? Lee Miller Group offers fast, reliable callouts from Ballina to the Gold Coast. Fourth-generation local, fully licensed in QLD and NSW.

Call Lee now: 0429 605 758