Breaker Keeps Tripping: Who Should You Call?
Urgency: UrgentUpdated 2026-08-31
Short answer
Unplug everything on the affected circuit and reset the breaker once. If it holds, add devices back one at a time to find the culprit. If it trips again with nothing plugged in, or trips instantly, stop and call a licensed electrician — that pattern points to a short circuit or a failing breaker, both of which are fire risks.
Who to call: A licensed electrician — in Ontario, an ECRA/ESA-licensed contractor.
What to do right now
- 1Unplug every device on the circuit before resetting.
- 2Reset the breaker fully — push it hard to Off first, then back to On.
- 3Never tape, wedge or replace a breaker with a larger amperage one.
- 4If the panel is warm, buzzing, or smells of burning plastic, leave it off and call an electrician immediately.
Most likely causes
- Circuit overload
- Space heaters, kettles and window air conditioners on the same 15-amp circuit is the classic cause in older GTA homes.
- Short circuit
- A damaged cord or a wiring fault causes an instant trip every time — this needs a professional.
- Ground fault
- Common in kitchens, bathrooms, garages and outdoors, especially where moisture is present.
- Failing breaker or aluminium wiring
- Breakers wear out, and homes wired with aluminium in the 1960s–70s develop loose, heating connections.
What it typically costs in the GTA
$150–$300 for a diagnostic and breaker replacement. $250–$700 to add a dedicated circuit. $2,000–$4,500 for a full panel upgrade to 200 amps, plus an ESA inspection fee.
Ranges are typical market pricing for the Greater Toronto Area and vary with access, age of the home, and time of year. Always get the scope in writing before work starts.
Overload versus short circuit
An overload trips after a few minutes of heavy use — the circuit is simply carrying more than it is rated for. A short circuit trips instantly, often with a snap or a scorch mark. Overloads you can manage by redistributing load; shorts always need an electrician.
Older Toronto homes and knob-and-tube
Plenty of homes in Toronto's older neighbourhoods still have remnants of knob-and-tube wiring. It has no ground, insurers frequently refuse to cover it, and repeated tripping is often the first sign it is being pushed past its limits. An electrician can confirm what is behind your walls.
What an ESA-licensed contractor gives you
In Ontario, electrical work needs a licensed contractor and, for most panel and circuit work, an Electrical Safety Authority notification and inspection. That paperwork protects your insurance coverage and your future home sale. Always ask for the ECRA/ESA licence number.
Get the right pro on it
Describe the problem in your own words. We’ll work out which trade you need and connect you with suitable local pros. Free, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it safe to keep resetting a breaker?
- Resetting once to test is fine. Repeated resetting of a breaker that keeps tripping defeats the safety device that is protecting your home from fire.
- Can I install a bigger breaker?
- No. The breaker is sized to the wire behind it. A larger breaker lets the wire overheat before the breaker trips.
- Why does the GFCI outlet trip but the breaker doesn't?
- That is a ground fault, usually caused by moisture. Outdoor and bathroom outlets do this after rain; a persistent trip needs an electrician.