Breaker keeps tripping for the dryer?

[Joseph Weisenbloom]

The title explains it all one of my tenants keeps complaining that the breaker is tripping for the dryer. After a little research online it looks like its either the connection may be 20 AMP for a 30 AMP dryer or the breaker itself is broke.

Anyone else had this dilemma before? I called an electrician today because I don't want this thing to overheat and burn the house down.

[Walt Payne]

@Joseph Weisenbloom  Unless you know what you are doing, let the electrician check it out. It may be any of a number of things, some minor and some not. It may be one of the things you mentioned, it may be a bad plug or outlet, it may be a floating ground that is shorting. And if it is a wrong size breaker, would you know if the wire is adequate to handle 30A?

With a breaker that keeps tripping there is potential for dangerous situations. This is one of those times when you need to bite the bullet and pay a pro. And tell the tenant to not use it until fixed, breakers become less reliable each time they trip.