Why Does My Circuit Breaker Keep Tripping?

An occasional tripped breaker in your Denver home isn’t usually a big deal. Maybe you turned on a hair dryer, space heater, and vacuum on the same circuit, and the breaker did its job by shutting things down.

But if your circuit breaker in Denver keeps tripping, or trips for no obvious reason, it’s a sign of a problem you shouldn’t ignore. Breakers are safety devices designed to protect your wiring from overheating, electrical damage, and even fires. Frequent trips are your home’s way of telling you something is wrong.

If you’re comfortable with basic checks, there are a few things you can look at yourself. Beyond that, it’s time to call a licensed Denver electrician from Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electrical.

Top Reasons Circuit Breakers Keep Tripping

A breaker that trips repeatedly almost always falls into one (or more) of these categories:

• Overloaded circuit
• Short circuit
• Ground fault
• Faulty or failing appliance
• Arc-fault (AFCI) activity
• Ground-fault (GFCI) activity
• Weak or worn-out breaker
• Loose or aging wiring and connections

If a breaker trips immediately every time you reset it, stop trying to force it on. That usually indicates a more serious issue that needs professional attention.

1) Overloaded Circuit

This is the most common cause—and often the first thing to check.

An overload happens when too many devices on the same circuit are drawing more current than the circuit is designed to handle. This is especially common in:

• Older Denver homes with limited circuits
• Bedrooms or basements where multiple electronics and space heaters share a circuit
• Kitchens with high-demand appliances plugged into the same outlet circuit

How to Test for an Overloaded Circuit

You can safely test the circuit this way:

• Before resetting the breaker, go to the area fed by that circuit.
• Turn off and unplug everything connected to it (lamps, chargers, heaters, appliances, etc.).
• Reset the breaker at the panel.
• Plug in or turn on one device at a time, waiting a few minutes between each.
• When the breaker trips again, you’ve found the load limit for that circuit.

If simply plugging in “one more thing” repeatedly trips the breaker, that circuit is overloaded. You’ll need to move some devices to other circuits—or have an electrician evaluate whether adding a new circuit or upgrading is appropriate.

2) Short Circuits

A short circuit occurs when electricity takes a shortcut it’s not supposed to—often when hot (live) wires touch neutral or ground. This creates a sudden surge of current that causes the breaker to trip instantly.

Shorts can be caused by:

• Damaged or pinched wiring inside walls
• Loose connections inside outlets or fixtures
• Pets chewing cords
• Nails or screws penetrating wires
• Faults inside appliances

Signs of a Short Circuit

• The breaker trips immediately when reset
• You notice scorch marks or a burning smell at outlets or switches
• Sparks when plugging in a device

Important: Short circuits can easily start fires. If you suspect one, don’t keep resetting the breaker—call an electrician.

What you Can Safely Check

If you suspect a particular device (like a vacuum, space heater, or power strip):

• Unplug it, reset the breaker, and then
• Plug that device into a different circuit

If it trips that breaker too, the device likely has an internal short and should not be used.

3) Ground Faults

A ground fault happens when electrical current leaves the intended circuit and flows into the ground—often through moisture, damaged insulation, or a faulty connection.

This is especially dangerous in:

• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Garages
• Basements
• Outdoor circuits

Denver’s snow, ice, and spring melt can all contribute to moisture where it doesn’t belong.

Signs of a Ground Fault

• Breaker or GFCI trips when a circuit gets wet
• Repeated tripping on outdoor, bathroom, or kitchen outlets
• Tripping occurs when a specific appliance in a damp area is used

Ground faults can cause serious electric shock. If you suspect one, do not investigate near water—step away and call an electrician.

4) AFCI & GFCI Breakers Tripping

Newer Denver homes, remodels, and code-compliant upgrades often include AFCI and GFCI breakers or outlets.

AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter)

AFCIs protect against arcing, which can happen when:

• Wires are loose
• Cords are damaged
• Contacts are worn

Arcing is a common cause of electrical fires, especially in older wiring. If your AFCI keeps tripping, it may be detecting dangerous sparking that needs to be traced and repaired.

GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter)

GFCIs protect people from shock. They trip when they detect current “leaking” to ground—often due to water or damp conditions.

If GFCIs in your bathroom, kitchen, garage, or outside keep tripping, it could be:

• Moisture intrusion
• A faulty appliance
• Wiring issues upstream

These devices are doing their job, but repeated trips mean there’s an underlying problem that needs attention.

5) Faulty or Weak Breaker

Like any mechanical device, breakers wear out over time. Denver’s temperature swings—cold winters, warm summers—plus years of cycling (on/off) can weaken them.

A weak or failing breaker may:

• Trip more easily than it should
• Feel hot to the touch
• Not reset properly
• Show signs of discoloration or damage at the panel

A failing breaker needs to be replaced by a licensed electrician. Never try to replace or upgrade breakers yourself—mismatched or incorrectly installed breakers are a major fire hazard.

6) Loose or Aging Wiring

Many neighborhoods in and around Denver have older homes with older wiring, connections, and panels. Over time, connections can loosen, and insulation can degrade.

Loose or aging wiring can cause:

• Intermittent tripping
• Flickering lights
• Hot outlets or switches
• Buzzing or humming sounds

These are not DIY issues. An electrician from Bell can inspect your wiring, panel, and connections and recommend safe repairs or upgrades.

When to Stop Troubleshooting and Call a Denver Electrician

It’s fine to do basic checks like:

• Reducing the number of devices on a circuit
• Testing a suspected appliance elsewhere
• Resetting a breaker once

But you should call an electrician right away if:

• The breaker trips immediately every time you reset it
• You notice burning smells, smoke, or scorch marks
• You see water near outlets or electrical equipment
• You feel heat from the breaker or panel
• Multiple breakers are tripping without a clear cause
• Your home is older and hasn’t had an electrical inspection in years

Leaving a tripping breaker unresolved doesn’t just mean inconvenience—it can mean increased risk of an electrical fire.

Let Bell Find the Real Problem

If you’re tired of guessing why your breaker keeps tripping, or you’re worried about the safety of your electrical system, it’s time to bring in a professional.

Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electrical’s licensed Denver electricians can:

• Trace the exact cause of the trip
• Test circuits, breakers, and wiring safely
• Repair or replace faulty components
• Recommend upgrades if your panel or wiring is outdated

We’ll restore safe, reliable power and give you peace of mind that your home is protected.

Call Bell today to schedule an electrical inspection in Denver or the surrounding areas!