# Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? 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By Aaron Midgley, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. What does a circuit breaker actually do? 2. Why does a circuit breaker keep tripping? 3. Is it safe to keep trying to get the power back on? 4. Why can’t I just fix it myself? 5. What happens when you call a licensed electrician 6. When is a tripping breaker a sign of a bigger problem? 7. Frequently asked questions A circuit breaker usually keeps tripping because the circuit is overloaded, there is a short circuit or an earth fault, or the breaker itself is wearing out. A repeat trip is a warning that something is wrong, not a nuisance to be forced past. Finding the cause is work for a licensed electrician. ## What does a circuit breaker actually do? The wiring in your walls is only built to carry a certain amount of current. A circuit breaker watches that current and cuts the power if it climbs too high, so the cables do not overheat. When it trips, it is doing exactly what it was installed to do. ## Why does a circuit breaker keep tripping? There are four common reasons, and they are hard to tell apart from the outside. - **Overload.** Too much equipment is drawing power from one circuit at the same time, for example several heaters or a kettle and toaster together. - **Short circuit.** Live and neutral wires touch, usually because of damaged insulation or a loose connection. This causes a sudden surge of current. - **Earth fault.** A live wire touches something it should not, such as the metal casing of an appliance or damp wiring. - **A worn or faulty breaker.** Breakers are mechanical parts and can trip at lower loads as they age or after repeated trips. Because the symptoms look the same, guessing can send you in the wrong direction. A licensed electrician uses test equipment to tell them apart safely. Stop and get help now If you notice a burning smell, buzzing, scorch marks, heat from the switchboard or a power point, smoke or sparks, stay away from it. If there is smoke, fire or sparks, leave the building, keep children and pets with you, and call 000. For anything else, keep clear of the switchboard and the affected area and call a licensed electrician urgently. ## Is it safe to keep trying to get the power back on? No. If a breaker trips again and again, please do not keep forcing it. The fault is still there, and repeated attempts do not fix it. They only delay the point at which someone looks at it properly. ## Why can’t I just fix it myself? Working out why a circuit trips means working on live electrical equipment and the switchboard. In Queensland, electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician, and the Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the regulator. Their guidance on what householders can and cannot do is at [electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/ddiy](https://electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/ddiy). A licensed electrician also knows what to look for beyond the breaker, such as heat damage at connections. What you can safely check You can help the electrician without touching anything. Write down which areas have lost power, the time it happened, and what was running just before. Note whether it happens at particular times, such as hot afternoons or after rain. If you can see the switchboard without opening any cover, take a photo of it from where you stand. ## What happens when you call a licensed electrician 1. You describe what you have seen — Share your notes: which lights or power points are affected, when it started and anything unusual such as smells or noises. 2. They inspect and test the circuit — The electrician checks the circuit, the connections and the protective devices with the right equipment, and works out which of the common causes applies. 3. They explain the cause and your options — Depending on the cause, the answer might be a repair, a separate circuit for a heavy appliance, or a switchboard upgrade if the board is old or full. 4. You get the paperwork — Ask the electrician what documentation applies to the work done, and keep it with your home records. ## When is a tripping breaker a sign of a bigger problem? Frequent trips on an older switchboard, trips that come with heat or noise, and trips that follow adding new loads such as air conditioning or an EV charger can all point to a board that needs a closer look. In those cases an inspection is a better step than repeated call-outs for the same symptom. ## Frequently asked questions - Yes. Breakers are mechanical devices and can become less reliable over time, but an electrician needs to confirm that before blaming the breaker, because the real cause is often on the circuit. - That can point to an overloaded circuit or a fault in that appliance or its cord. Note which appliance it was and tell a licensed electrician, who can test the circuit safely. - Not always, but it is a reason to get the circuit checked soon. It becomes an emergency if there is a burning smell, heat, smoke or sparks, in which case leave the building and call 000. - Not necessarily. It depends on the cause, and a licensed electrician can tell you whether the circuit needs repair or the board is out of date for your needs. - A breaker protects the wiring from overload and short circuits, while a safety switch protects people from electric shock. They do different jobs and many homes have both. [Learn about Electrical](https://arlite.co/services/electrical/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [ElectricalWhy does my safety switch keep tripping?A safety switch keeps tripping when it detects current leaking to earth, such as from a faulty appliance or moisture; never bypass it.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [ElectricalWhat happens if I can’t reset the safety switch?A safety switch that will not stay on means a fault on its circuit; do not force it, note what is affected and call a licensed electrician.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-wont-reset/) - [ElectricalDo I need a switchboard upgrade?Old fuses, frequent tripping, burn marks, no safety switches or new solar, EV or air conditioning loads are reasons to ask about an upgrade.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/do-i-need-a-switchboard-upgrade/) - [ElectricalWhy are my lights flickering? Causes and when it’s dangerousFlickering lights can come from the bulb, a dimmer, a loose connection or a street fault; crackling or a burning smell is an emergency.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/why-are-my-lights-flickering/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. What does a circuit breaker actually do? 2. Why does a circuit breaker keep tripping? 3. Is it safe to keep trying to get the power back on? 4. Why can’t I just fix it myself? 5. What happens when you call a licensed electrician 6. When is a tripping breaker a sign of a bigger problem? 7. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. 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