A breaker that keeps tripping is one of the most common electrical calls I get across Prince George's County. And it's also one of the most commonly misdiagnosed jobs.

Let me explain what's actually happening — because the fix depends entirely on the cause, and the cause isn't always obvious.

The Three Real Causes

1. Overloaded circuit. The circuit is drawing more amperage than the breaker is rated for. This is the most common cause in kitchens and home offices where multiple high-draw appliances share a circuit. The fix: redistribute the load or add a dedicated circuit.

2. Short circuit. A hot wire is contacting a neutral or ground wire — usually from damaged insulation, a loose connection, or a failing device. This trips the breaker immediately when the circuit is energized. The fix: locate and repair the fault in the wiring.

3. Failing breaker. The breaker itself is worn out and trips under loads it should handle. This is common in panels that are 20+ years old. The fix: replace the breaker with a correctly-rated replacement that matches the panel brand.

“Called for a tripping breaker that 2 other electricians couldn't fix. Belvin diagnosed it correctly as a failing AFCI breaker and replaced it. Zero issues since.” — Carlos M., Washington DC

Why Misdiagnosis Happens

Carlos's situation is a perfect example. Two electricians had looked at his bedroom circuit and told him the circuit was overloaded. But Carlos hadn't changed anything about his usage. The real issue was a failing AFCI breaker — it was tripping on nuisance trips, not actual arc faults or overloads.

The difference matters because replacing a breaker costs far less than running a new circuit. Getting the diagnosis right saves time and money.

AFCI Breakers — What You Need to Know

Maryland now requires AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupter) breakers on all bedroom circuits. If your home was built before this code was adopted, your bedroom circuits may have standard breakers. AFCI breakers detect dangerous electrical arcs that standard breakers miss — they're a significant fire safety upgrade. I install them on every bedroom circuit upgrade I do in PG County.