If you open your main electrical panel, you’ll see labels on your breakers with different numbers. It could be a 15, a 20, or even up to a 60. Do you know what those numbers are for? If not, you aren’t alone.
In this post, we’ll break down what they mean and why they’re important. Then we’ll go over what your breakers are for. Because unlike a lot of people think, they aren’t there just to protect you.
What do the Numbers Mean?
The numbers on your breaker show how many amps of electrical current the circuit can handle before it shuts off. So, if you see a breaker labeled “15,” it means the circuit will allow up to 15 amps—but if it goes over that, even just a little, the breaker trips to stop the flow.
This isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a built-in safety feature. Breakers are designed to protect your home’s wiring. Larger wires can handle more power, while smaller ones can’t. If too much electricity flows through a wire that’s not rated for it, things can overheat fast. Your breaker trips to prevent that from happening, keeping your system safe and reducing the risk of fire.
What Happens if the Ratings Don’t Match?
When a circuit pushes more power through a wire than it’s built to handle, that wire can start to overheat. And if it gets too hot, the insulation can break down—leading to short circuits, melted wires, or even fire.
That’s exactly why breakers exist: to protect your wiring by shutting off the circuit before things get dangerous. But if there’s a mismatch—like a breaker that allows more amps than the wire is rated for—it might not trip when it should. That means your wiring could overheat without warning, creating a serious fire risk you might never see coming.
Is It A Bad Thing When My Breaker Trips?
When a breaker trips, that’s often a good sign—it means it’s doing its job. Breakers are designed to shut off power when something’s not right, and understanding what caused it can help you fix the issue safely. For example, older homes sometimes have multiple kitchen appliances—like a microwave and a blender—sharing a single circuit. Run them at the same time, and you might overload it, causing the breaker to trip. In that case, you know to space out how you use those appliances.
The bigger concern is when a breaker trips repeatedly—or worse, stops tripping when it should. If a breaker fails to shut off during an overload, your wiring could overheat and lead to melted insulation or even fire. And if a breaker trips immediately after being reset, it could be detecting a short circuit, which might be hidden inside the walls. That’s a red flag you shouldn’t ignore.
What Do I Do If My Breaker Keeps Tripping?
Start by checking how many appliances or devices are running on the same circuit. If that circuit is overloaded, your breaker will keep tripping to prevent overheating. In many cases, you can solve the problem by spreading out your usage—either plugging into a different outlet or running high-powered appliances at different times. If that’s not enough, a licensed electrician can add new circuits to better balance the load.
One thing you should never do is replace a breaker with one rated for more amps. That might stop the tripping, but it removes a key safety feature. If the breaker doesn’t trip when it should, your wiring can overheat and pose a serious fire risk. If someone swapped in an oversized breaker in the past, you might even notice that part of your panel feels warmer than it should. That’s a sign it’s time to call an electrician you trust.
Not sure what’s behind the tripping—or if your panel is still doing its job? Schedule a breaker inspection with Any Hour Services. Our licensed electricians will get to the root of the issue and make sure your system is safe, reliable, and up to code. Contact us today to get your appointment scheduled!