Does the breaker have a test button on it? Is there anything printed on the breaker's face or handle and, if so, what does it say? Is it a single width or double width breaker? Does it trip when there's a lightning strike, or just randomly during rainstorms? What happens when you reset it?

Thank you so much for responding daviddr.

1. No test button
2. 10
3. single width
4. It trips during close lightning strikes
5. After reset, it seems fine...unless we get another close lightning strike.

Sounds like it may be responding to current induced in your wiring when lightning strikes nearby.

I suggest you have your electrician check the ground connection for the main panel. You may have to fit a TVSS (whole house surge suppressor). It might be a good idea to replace this breaker, too, if it's tripped very many times.

I'm puzzled by the "10" on this breaker. Is that stamped or engraved on the switch handle, or is it on the face of the breaker?

Others here may have further thoughts or suggestions.

Do you happen to have any exterior outlets or outside lights on the same circuit?
I've noticed that sometimes when it rains, I have a breaker that trips, and I'm guessing its because rain/moisture might get into our outside GFCI outlets or maybe the outside floodlights.

I think one thing we need to do is go through the board and find out exactly what is on each of the circuits. I didn't mention it but the house is old and at times was used as a commercial space so there's a lot of mystery wiring, both electrical and phone running all over the place.

Catherinet, you could be right but the outage seems to coincide (in horror film fashion) with particularly loud/close lightning strikes.

It probably would be a good first step to replace the breaker and see what happens this week, since we've got more storms forecast in the next few days.

Thanks for the great feedback!

I guess I didn't make this quite clear. Replacing the breaker by itself isn't likely to make a difference. That's not the best place to start.

To fix the problem, you have to remove the means for lightning to induce a surge in the circuit. The info about the age and weird wiring adds a dimension to this. You need to find any dead-end runs and ensure that they are isolated or, if possible, removed. My admittedly feeble EE sense is tingling - I'm thinking that old knob and tube might be more susceptible to surges because of the space between the conductors, but I could be wrong about that. We have some real EEs here who should be able to address that issue.

I would start with having the electrical system grounding checked. Also make sure that any tall metallic objects (antenna masts, etc) are properly grounded.

Then I'd rip out or isolate unused wiring. I'd fit a TVSS. The best ones mount at the meter itself, but in many cases the only way to get a meter-installed TVSS is through the power company with a monthly charge. A panel mounted device will suffice instead.

Once you've found and corrected the real problem, THEN you replace the breaker, and only as a precaution because it may have been compromised by repeated trips.

Hi my one line of electricity connection gets trip when lightning.why is that

Vim, Your electrical system is not grounded or protected against lightning strikes. Sometimes protection is expensive.

Where are you?