expression, ichidan verb
the circuit breaker trips
Describes the action of a circuit breaker switching off due to overload or fault. Common in household contexts.
エアコンをつけたらブレーカーが落ちた。
When I turned on the air conditioner, the circuit breaker tripped.
ブレーカーが落ちて部屋が真っ暗になった。
The breaker tripped and the room went pitch black.
Synonymous; also means 'the breaker trips'. 落ちる is more common in everyday speech.
Compound of ブレーカー (circuit breaker) + が (subject marker) + 落ちる (to fall/drop). The verb 落ちる metaphorically describes the breaker switch dropping to the off position.