Why Does My Breaker Keep Tripping? Common Causes in Dubai Homes
By the Top Tier Technical Services team · Published · 7 min read
Quick answer
A breaker trips to protect the wiring from an overload, a short circuit or an earth leakage fault. Switch off or unplug what is on that circuit, then reset the breaker fully off and on. If it trips again, or you notice warm outlets, burning smells or sparks, stop and call a qualified electrician rather than resetting it repeatedly.
Key takeaways
- The common causes are an overloaded circuit, a short circuit, and an earth leakage or ground fault, often from a faulty appliance or moisture.
- The National Fire Protection Association advises calling a qualified electrician if you have frequent tripped breakers, warm or discoloured outlets, a tingling feeling from an appliance, or burning smells.
- Test ground-fault protection once a month, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Never replace a breaker with a higher-rated one to stop it tripping. The breaker is protecting the cable.
Why does a circuit breaker trip?
A breaker is a safety device. It switches a circuit off when something could overheat the wiring or give someone a shock. There are three main reasons it does so.
An overloaded circuit
Too many appliances on one circuit draw more current than the cable and breaker are rated for. In Dubai, it often happens in summer when AC units, a water heater, a kettle and an oven all run together. The breaker usually trips after the load has been on for a while.
A short circuit
A live conductor touches another conductor or a part that shouldn't be live. A very large current flows and the breaker trips immediately, often with a bang or a flash. A damaged cord, a faulty appliance or a damaged cable can cause it.
An earth leakage or ground fault
Some current escapes to earth through an appliance, a damp fitting or a person. Devices called residual current devices (RCDs or ELCBs), or ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), detect this and switch the circuit off quickly. Moisture is a common cause, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor sockets and fittings in wet areas.
What can you check safely when a breaker trips?
- Switch off or unplug everything on the circuit that tripped.
- Push the breaker fully to Off and then back to On. A tripped breaker may sit part-way, so a half-reset won't hold.
- If it stays on, turn the appliances back on one at a time. The one that trips it again is the likely culprit.
- If it trips with nothing connected, there may be a fault in the wiring or the breaker. Leave it off and call an electrician.
- If an appliance trips it every time, stop using that appliance and have it checked or repaired.
- If it only trips when several things run together, the circuit is overloaded. Spread the load, don't run several high-power appliances on one circuit, and ask an electrician about adding a circuit.
Don't open the distribution board cover or touch the wiring. Keep your hands and the floor dry when you reset anything.
When should you call an electrician?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says to call a qualified electrician, or your landlord, if you have any of these.
- Frequent problems with blown fuses or tripping circuit breakers.
- A tingling feeling when you touch an electrical appliance.
- Discoloured or warm wall outlets.
- A burning or rubbery smell from an appliance.
- Flickering or dimming lights.
- Sparks from an outlet.
Call as well if a breaker won't reset, if it trips with nothing connected, or if the distribution board is hot, scorched or buzzing. Switch off the main switch if you smell burning, and call for help if there is any sign of fire.
Why should you never use a bigger breaker?
The breaker is sized to protect the cable on that circuit. Fitting a higher-rated breaker, or bridging a trip, lets more current flow than the cable can take, and the cable can overheat inside the wall before anything trips. If a circuit keeps overloading, the solution is another circuit or a lighter load, not a bigger breaker.
How do you reduce nuisance tripping?
- The NFPA advises plugging only one heat-producing appliance, such as a toaster, kettle or space heater, into an outlet at a time.
- Plug major appliances directly into a wall socket. The NFPA advises against extension cords and plug strips for them.
- Test ground-fault protection, and arc-fault protection if you have it, once a month, following the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Keep water away from sockets, and ask an electrician to check outdoor and bathroom fittings that get wet.
- Have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician.
Our electrical service repairs and upgrades distribution boards, sockets and circuits, and tests the protection devices. For small like-for-like jobs, see our guide on choosing a handyman. To book an electrician, contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my breaker trip when the AC starts?
AC compressors draw a large current when they start. If the circuit is shared with other loads, or the AC has a fault such as a failing capacitor or compressor, the breaker can trip. Switch off the AC and call an AC technician or an electrician to find out which.
Is it dangerous to keep resetting a breaker?
Yes, if it trips again straight away. A breaker that trips repeatedly is warning you of a fault. Resetting it again and again risks overheating or fire, so stop and have the circuit checked.
Why does the breaker trip when it rains or after washing the balcony?
Water can enter outdoor sockets, light fittings and junction boxes, causing an earth leakage that trips the protection. Leave the circuit off and have the fitting dried, sealed or replaced by an electrician.
What is the difference between a breaker and an RCD?
A standard breaker protects against overload and short circuits. An RCD, or GFCI, detects small currents leaking to earth and protects people from shock. Many installations have both, so either can be the one that trips.
Can an old breaker fail on its own?
Yes. Breakers can wear out and trip at lower currents than they should, or fail to trip. Only an electrician can test one safely, so don't replace it yourself.
