Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?

A circuit breaker keeps tripping to protect your home from an electrical fault.
Common causes include overloaded circuits, short circuits, faulty appliances or wiring issues. If it won’t stay up, the fault needs to be isolated and repaired by a licensed electrician.

Why Is It Tripping?

If your breaker flips off every time you reset it, something isn’t right and your electrical system is doing exactly what it should: shutting things down before a bigger problem hits.

We get calls from homeowners in Werribee, Altona and Point Cook almost daily for this issue. And while it might look like a nuisance, it’s often the first sign of something serious.

Here’s what it means, what you can safely check, and how Electrx solves it.

1. First, What a Breaker Is Actually Doing

Circuit breakers are automatic safety switches. They cut power when:

• There’s too much current on a circuit (overload)
• There’s a short circuit
• Power is leaking to ground (earth fault)
• The breaker itself is faulty or aged

They’re faster than old-style fuses and don’t rely on wire melting they react instantly to risk.

2. Why It Won’t Stay Up

If you reset the breaker and it immediately trips again, you’ve got an active fault on that circuit.

Common culprits include:

Overloaded circuits

Too many high-draw devices (like kettles, toasters, heaters) running together exceed the safe load. The breaker flips to stop overheating.

Appliance faults

Sometimes it’s not the wiring, it’s what’s plugged in. Heaters, old fridges and dryers are common causes. Internally, they can short or leak current.

Short circuits

Damaged wiring, rodents, or crushed insulation can let live wires touch earth or neutral. This trips the breaker fast.

Earth leakage

Moisture in outdoor outlets, garden lighting, or under-house cabling can leak current to ground, causing RCDs to trip.

3. What You Can Do First

• Unplug everything from the outlets on the affected circuit
• Reset the breaker
• If it stays up, plug devices back in one by one
• When it trips again, you’ve found the fault
• If it still trips with nothing plugged in, call us

You can use our Fault Finding Service to get it tested safely and quickly.

4. When It’s Time to Stop Resetting

If the breaker trips more than once, or won’t reset at all:

• Don’t keep flipping it—this puts stress on the system
• Don’t swap breakers between circuits
• Don’t replace it yourself—it’s illegal and dangerous

We’ve seen homes where DIY resets led to melted boards or fire damage. Let us trace the issue professionally.

5. What We Do on Site

When Electrx attends a breaker fault, we:

• Test the circuit using clamp meters and insulation testers
• Check outlets, fittings and switchboard connections
• Inspect appliances if they’re likely the cause
• Replace the breaker or RCD if it’s failed
• Repair damaged cabling or terminals
• Issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety after completing the work

If your board is aged or lacks safety switches, we may also recommend a Switchboard Upgrade.

6. Can Breakers Wear Out?

Yes. Like anything mechanical, breakers have a lifespan. If it trips too often or doesn’t reset cleanly, it may be faulty.

Signs your breaker is failing:

• Feels hot or loose
• Trips without a clear reason
• Takes effort to reset
• Flips even with no load

We carry modern, compliant replacements on hand and can swap them out quickly.

FAQs

Can I replace my circuit breaker myself?

No. Only a licensed electrician can legally and safely replace breakers in Victoria.

Why does the breaker trip when I use the heater?

Heaters draw lots of current. If they share a circuit with other high-use devices, they may overload it.

Could a faulty outlet cause this?

Yes. Damaged or melted sockets can short internally and trip the breaker every time the circuit is powered.

Is this an emergency?

Yes, especially if the breaker won’t reset, affects key appliances, or shows signs of burning or overheating.

Final Advice On Your Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers trip for a reason. If yours won’t stay up, don’t ignore it. The problem is either in your wiring, appliances or the switchboard and Electrx will find it fast.
We’ll fix what’s needed, make it safe, and keep your system running properly.

Melbourne Switchboards