The breaker trips, you reset it, it trips again. That breaker is telling you something: the circuit is overloaded, or there's a fault somewhere in the wiring or the equipment on it. Reset it once to rule out a fluke. After that, leave it off.
In Fort Lauderdale we see this constantly on older 100-amp services in Victoria Park, Colee Hammock, and Wilton Manors bungalows — modern loads on panels that were sized for a different era. Here's how to think about it safely.
The One Safe Reset
Unplug everything high-draw on that circuit — space heaters, hair dryers, window ACs — then push the breaker fully OFF and back ON, once. If it holds with the loads unplugged, you were overloading the circuit.
If it trips again with nothing plugged in, or trips the moment a specific appliance starts, stop. That's a wiring or equipment fault, and forcing the breaker risks overheating the wire.
The Usual Causes
Overloaded circuit — too many high-draw devices on one breaker. Kitchens, bathrooms, and garages are the classic spots.
Short circuit — a hot wire touching neutral or ground. Trips instantly and violently. Needs a professional, full stop.
Ground fault — current leaking where it shouldn't, common in wet locations. GFCI breakers and outlets exist to catch exactly this.
Worn breaker — breakers weaken with age and heat. A breaker that trips below its rating needs replacement.
AC startup draw — if the breaker trips when the air conditioner kicks on, the capacitor may be failing or the circuit may be undersized for the unit.
When the AC Is the Culprit
A breaker that trips only when the AC starts is one of the most common calls we get, and it's exactly why one company doing both trades matters. A weak AC capacitor makes the compressor pull excess current at startup; an undersized or aging breaker can't handle a normal startup surge.
We test both sides in one visit — the AC's electrical draw and the breaker's condition — and fix whichever is at fault. Reset the breaker once; if the AC trips it again, leave the system off and call (561) 786-1337.
Common questions
How many times can I safely reset a tripping breaker?
Once, to rule out a fluke. If it trips again, leave it off. Repeated resets overheat the wiring and can turn a minor fault into a fire risk.
The breaker feels hot. Is that bad?
Yes. A hot breaker or panel is a call-now situation. Don't touch it further — call (561) 786-1337 and keep clear of the panel.
Can I just replace the breaker with a bigger one?
No — never. The breaker size protects the wire. A bigger breaker on the same wire lets the wire overheat before anything trips. Sizing is a job for an electrician with the panel open.
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(561) 786-1337