thanks dude, i forgot to update this thread.

reason why i was initially not able to track down offending plug/appliance is because it was OUTSIDE :P turnd out, there was an outside light on a daylight sensor, into which water had leaked. this was causing shorting. its not a light we actually really use or need, so i just disconnected it and problem solved!

Quote Originally Posted by TBlaar View Post
Hiro.

If you unplug EVERYTHING in your garage and study, and it still trips, it could be water / lightning damage.

Also unplug you garage door openers, I had a fuse in my door opener die a while back, and this kept tripping the power.