In 2025, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) surveyed electrical contractors, electrical designers, electrical engineers, and electrical planners in Georgia and South Carolina, to gain an understanding of the performance of safety devices required in the National Electrical Code.

Key Findings:

  • 37% of electrical contractor service calls involved tripped breakers or fuses
  • 74% of respondents stated that circuits involved in service calls often or always had the correct protection installed
  • Percent of Tripped Breakers by Breakers or Fuse:
    • Standard Circuit Breaker: 38%
    • AFCI: 24%
    • GFCI: 19%
    • Fuse: 10%
    • Dual Function AFCI/GFCI Breaker: 9%

ARC-Fault Circuit Interrupters Work

84% of tripped AFCI related service calls were caused by arc-faults
Other causes of tripping include: short circuits, overloaded circuits, and defective circuit interrupters.

Areas in the Home with the Most Tripping Calls:

  • Kitchen: 51.4%
  • Living Room: 13%
  • Bedroom: 11%
  • Basement: 10.3%
  • Exterior: 6.2%
  • Bathroom: 4%
  • Garage: 2.7%
  • Laundry Room: 1.4%

Respondents Found the Following Common Themes About Circuit Interruption Usage:

  • Improper wiring and installation: 16%
  • Incorrect equipment selection, configuration, and usage: 14%
  • Lack of maintenance and repairs: 12%
  • Overloaded circuits: 11%
  • Advance breaker setup error: 10%
  • Mismatched protection rating: 9%
  • Labeling, documentation, or record keeping issue: 9%
  • Improper corrective actions (DIY, makeshift fixes, workarounds): 7%
  • Environmental factors: 6%
  • Safety practices and verification procedures: 6%