It's entirely likely that the breaker itself is defective (breakers are not fail-proof). Call your contractor and have the electrical circuit checked out. Once you've determined if the circuit is okay, then call GE. If you don't do this first, GE is going to blame it on the electrical circuit, and you'll have to do it anyway. One other thing to ask the contractor to verify is whether the electrical cable used in the circuit is appropriately sized. If your electrical work was inspected, it should be okay, but it never hurts to check. If the cable isn't rated for a 40 amp circuit, it could be heating up which would likely cause the circuit to trip.

davidr: If we connect the house lights with the garage lights, and the short circuit is in the wiring between the house lights, then would I not trip the other circuit breaker? I think this arrangement was done from day one by the original electrician, and the whole purpose was to use one Intermatic timer to control all the outdoor flood lights, and for some reason two circuits were used. The Intermatic timers like the T101 are so cheap, they could have used two timers so the garage flood lights were on one and the house flood lights were on another. By now it is probably time to stop speculating and at least get an electrician out for one hour to tell me what was originally done - I am curious, and then either get a test procedure to fix the problem and restore the house flood lights or make a new installation.

great ideas, here. As it turns out, the appliances (coffee maker and toaster) add up to more then 20 amps when both used on the same circuit, explaining why the breaker was tripped. However, did it all the time with old service entry and never had a problem. Perhaps it used to be a 30 amps circuit, i.e., connected to a 30 amp breaker in the service entry? As far is the stove goes, my handyman friend took a look at the service entry. It seems clear that the breaker for the stove IS USED! unbelievable. (I have an office job, took the handiman to notice such things). about a quarter of the breakers are used....I am lucky the oven is the only problem (as stated, I think the appliances combined were greater then the breaker load used, so I don't think this is a problem.) I am therefore hoping it is the breaker, which would be the best case scenario. I'll check for pattern in the oven combination of burners. Really think the oven/stove is fine though. The reason I upgraded the service panel (could have gotten a subpanel) was some mumbo jumbo about it not handling enough electricity for what was being produced, but OTOH it was old and decaying, and I got a rebate for 1/3 of the price of the new one. I got the electrician for the service panel completely independent of the solar company. The specs on my oven 100 kw at 120/240 volts 7.5 kw at 120/208 volts Not sure what this means, exactly. On my service entry, it is hooked up to a 50 amp breaker, which I understand should handle the oven with every burner on.

you have too many items on one circuit. The other outlet you used is still on the same circuit. Split the decorations into two circuits (plugs) and plug them into outlets on opposite ends of the house. That should probably do it.