When a lighting circuit trips, the first step is to safely reset the breaker by firmly flipping it fully to the OFF position, and then back to the ON position. If the breaker trips again immediately, a severe short circuit or ground fault likely exists, and troubleshooting should. When the lights suddenly go out and the circuit breaker panel shows a tripped switch, the electrical system is working exactly as designed. The interruption is. Discover 5 common causes of electrical trips and how to fix them, ensuring your home's safety and preventing future issues. Your circuit breaker has tripped yet again. Occasional tripping is normal protection behavior, but frequent tripping signals underlying issues needing attention. Top Reasons: Why does my circuit breaker trip when I turn on the lights?? Overloaded Circuit: Too many devices on one circuit can. A circuit breaker is a small device in your electrical panel, fuse box, consumer unit or trip switch box that protects your electrical installation from overload, electrical faults and serious damage.