The circuit breaker box is the heart of your electrical system. If the breakers keep tripping off, then you need to solve the problem to avoid greater damages to your home, electrical system, and appliances.

1. Overloaded Circuits

Older circuit boxes in particular are prone to overloading. The  modern household uses a lot more electrical appliances compared to the past, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. If too many of these appliances are routed through a single circuit and they are operating at once, then the breaker overloads and trips. For example, if you can't use the blender and the microwave at the same time without blowing a breaker, then the issue is overloading and an electrician may need to rework the wiring in the breaker box.

2. Appliance Issues

A failing appliance may cause the circuit breakers to trip. If it's always the same breaker that trips when you are running a specific appliance, it may be the appliance that is to blame. Bad or failing wiring, particularly in appliances that produce heat like toasters, cause the appliance to put a heavy draw on the circuit. An electrician can check the appliance and sometimes repair it.

3. Failing Breakers

Breakers don't last forever, particularly those that control heavy use appliances like those in the kitchen. If your breakers keep tripping and you know it isn't a particular failure in an appliance to blame, then you need to have the breaker box inspected. A residential electrician will test the breakers and replace any that are failing. New wiring may also be necessary, depending on the age of the breaker box.

4. Short Circuiting

A short circuit is the result of damaged wiring that is touching in ways that it shouldn't. This causes an electrical arc between the two wires, which then trips the breaker. Short circuiting can also lead to electrical fires if not repaired. Short circuits usually happen at an outlet. You may even see sparks when plugging in an appliance at a shorting outlet. If you suspect short circuiting, immediate repairs are necessary to prevent a fire or damage to the circuit box.

5. Improper Grounding

If an outlet isn't properly grounded, it will behave similarly to a short-circuiting outlet, except there may not be as great of sparking. Poorly grounded outlets are prone to overheating, and appliances plugged into them can become damaged in the event of a power surge. Fortunately, an electrician can ground your existing outlets and solve the problem.

Contact a residential electrician service if you have concerns about your breaker box or electrical system.