Updated October 2026
One evening a friend called me, frustrated. Her kitchen and bathroom had gone dark. She had dinner in the oven, turned on her hair dryer, and the power cut out. I knew right away what had happened: a tripped breaker.
What does a breaker do?
A breaker is a safety switch. It trips when a circuit is overloaded or when there's a short, so the wiring doesn't overheat. Running the microwave and a space heater on the same circuit is a classic way to trip one.
Why a breaker keeps tripping
A breaker that trips once in a while is just doing its job. One that trips often is telling you something:
- Too much on one circuit. Several high-wattage appliances share the same line. Try unplugging a few things. If that helps, you may need a new dedicated circuit.
- A wiring problem. A short, a loose connection, a failing outlet or damaged wire can all cause trips. These need to be found and fixed.
- A worn-out breaker. Breakers wear out with age, storms and lightning. A weak one can trip for no clear reason.
What you can safely do
- Unplug a few items and reset the breaker. Push it fully to OFF, then back to ON.
- Note what was running when it tripped.
- If it trips again right away, or you smell burning or see scorch marks, leave it off and call us.
Why replacing a breaker isn't a DIY job
Swapping a breaker looks simple in online videos, but the panel stays live even with the main off, and the wrong size or brand of breaker can cause a fire. Many cities, including those around OKC, also require a licensed electrician for panel work. The same goes for outlets and light fixtures, which are a leading cause of home electrical fires when they're installed wrong.
A tripping breaker is often a symptom, not the real problem. We'll find the root cause and make sure your panel is safe. If we see burn marks or an older problem panel, we'll talk through your options. 3 panel brands that need an upgrade.
Breaker giving you trouble?
If you're in Moore, Norman, OKC or nearby, call or text us. We'll get it sorted out, with no pressure.
Bo Johnson
Hello, I’m Bo Johnson and I founded Passion Electric in 2014. After working as a Journeymen electrician for over ten years, I decided to start my own company!