The most common cause of a tripping breaker is a simple overload. Every circuit is rated to carry a set amount of current, typically 10 amps for lighting circuits and 16 to 20 amps for general power circuits, and once too many appliances draw power from it at once, the breaker trips to stop the wiring overheating. High-draw appliances like heaters, kettles, hair dryers, and microwaves are the usual culprits, especially when several run on the same circuit at once, such as during a busy morning or a cold winter evening. If your breaker only trips when a specific combination of appliances is running, an overload is almost certainly the cause, and the fix may be as simple as spreading appliances across different circuits or, if your home genuinely needs more capacity, having a registered electrician add it.
A ground fault, or earth leakage, happens when current escapes to earth instead of following its intended path, often through moisture, a damaged appliance, or deteriorated wiring insulation. This is exactly the kind of fault an RCD (residual current device), sometimes called a safety switch, is designed to catch, so if it’s your RCD tripping rather than a standard breaker, an earth fault somewhere on that circuit is the likely cause. Common triggers include a wet outdoor power point, a faulty appliance cord, or condensation inside a light fitting.
BW Henderson can track down the real cause of a tripping breaker and fix it properly, whether that’s an overload, a short circuit, a ground fault, or a worn breaker, rather than just resetting it and hoping it doesn’t happen again. Get in touch if your breaker keeps cutting out and we’ll get to the bottom of it. For general guidance on electrical safety at home, see WorkSafe New Zealand’s advice on electrical hazards.