Why Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping (And What Might Be Causing It)

An electric circuit is essentially a highway for electricity, carrying power from a source to outlets around your home. But every circuit has its limits—it’s only designed to handle a certain amount of electrical load. When that load gets too high, a built-in safety device called a circuit breaker steps in. Its job? To “trip” or shut off the flow of electricity before things overheat or become dangerous.

If your breaker keeps tripping, an electrician will tell you: there are several possible culprits. Often, it’s not faulty wiring—it’s what you’ve plugged in. Let’s break down some common causes.

1. Too Many Fans on One Circuit

Running a fan or two? Usually fine. But if you’ve got three or more electric fans plugged into the same circuit—especially high-powered ones running all day—you’re asking for trouble. On those sweltering days, it’s tempting to keep them all going, but overloading the circuit is a real risk.

2. “Octopus” Extension Cords

You’ve seen them: extension cords branching off into more extension cords, each one sprouting even more plugs. These tangled setups (sometimes nicknamed “octopus” cords) might seem handy, but they’re a recipe for overload. Every extra cord draws more power, pushing the circuit past its safe limit.

3. Power-Hungry Styling Tools

Hair dryers, curling irons, and straighteners aren’t just beauty tools—they’re serious energy users. A typical hair dryer uses 800 to 1,800 watts—sometimes more power than a microwave! Plugging one of these into a low-capacity circuit, or sharing an outlet with other devices, can easily trip the breaker.

4. Irons Cranked to the Max

Clothes irons also demand a lot of electricity, especially when set to their highest heat setting. Leaving an iron on high for extended periods pulls more power from the circuit, increasing the chances of an overload and a tripped breaker.

5. Old Refrigerators

Here’s a lesser-known issue: older refrigerators tend to draw more electricity than newer, energy-efficient models. If your fridge is an older unit, it may be straining your circuit—especially during warm weather when it works harder to stay cool. This extra power demand could be why your breaker keeps shutting off.

Bottom line? If your breaker keeps tripping, it’s worth looking at how much power you’re asking your circuits to handle—and what devices might be overloading them. Sometimes, upgrading appliances or rearranging what’s plugged in can make all the difference.