Knowing how to reset a circuit breaker is a valuable skill to have. It is not difficult, and can be done quickly. It can be dangerous if not done correctly. Follow the steps below to reset your circuit breaker the right way.
Causes Of A Tripped Breaker
Before dealing with the breaker box, it is important to understand what caused the problem in the first place. The breaker box is the location that the main electricity supply has come into the house. This supply is then divided up to various circuits around the house. This is to reduce the total electric flow going through the outlets and light fixtures, making it safer for us when using them.
We say a circuit is “tripped” when it has been overloaded and no longer has power going to it. The breaker is designed to switch off, or “trip” before the electricity in the wires gets to a dangerous level.
One way a circuit trips is when a GFCI outlet overloads and switches to the off position. If this happens, every other light and outlet on the same circuit after the GFCI will be turned off as well. You want to switch the outlet back on to regain power to these locations.
Ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI outlets are electrical outlets that are designed to be placed in proximity to water. It is recommended to have one of these outlets within 18 inches of a water source like a sink faucet.
These outlets will trip, or switch to the “off” position when they are shorted or overloaded. You can push the reset button on the outlet to switch it back to the “on position. If it is not turning back on you may need to switch the breaker back on at the breaker box.
How To Reset A Tripped Circuit Breaker
Resetting a tripped circuit breaker is a simple process. If it tripped after you turned on a light or appliance, you want to unplug it or turn it off before switching the breaker back on. This is because you may run into the same problem of the circuit being overloaded after you switch it on.
Go to the circuit panel. This is usually in the garage, but may be in another location. It should be somewhere that is easily accessed.
There is also a chance of there being a subpanel which is separate from the main circuit panel. The subpanel looks similar to the main circuit panel, but generally smaller. The circuits in this panel are the same type as the main, and are checked the same way.
Open the circuit panel, and look for a circuit that is “tripped”. This is indicated by the switch on the circuit that is in a different position than the rest. When they are in the “on” position they are facing the center of the panel. When they are tripped they are facing straight out. The “off” position is facing to the side of the panel.
If it’s hard to tell which breaker is tripped, it’s okay to lightly push on them in the “on” direction. The ones that are not tripped will not move. The one that has been tripped will have a bit of movement, but will spring back into the center.
Once you find the one that is tripped you want to flip it to the off position (towards the side of the panel). This will reset it. Now flip it to the on position. Congratulations, you reset a circuit breaker.
Tripped Circuit Breaker Won’t Reset
There is a chance the tripped circuit breaker won’t reset. If after you switch it to the on position it trips again you have a bigger issue. This can be caused by one of several problems that is happening.
If you are a novice when it comes to electrical work I recommend seeking professional help. Electrical is not something you want to mess around with if you don’t know what you are doing.
I put together a guide that will help you find a reliable contractor. This guide tells you what interview questions to ask once you found a potential candidate. It lets you know what their answers mean, and who you should avoid. And once you find the person you want to use it helps you draft up a contract to help protect yourself.
It’s called The Contractor Search Guide. Check it out by clicking the image.
How To Reset A Breaker In An Apartment
Resetting a circuit breaker in an apartment is similar to the steps listed above. Hopefully you know where the circuit breaker is. It may be in a closet, or somewhere else hidden. This is a good thing to know where it is once you find it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if a breaker needs to be reset?
The first sign that you will need to reset a circuit breaker is there is no power going to something you have plugged in. This could be a light, your cellphone, or a major appliance.
Once you get to the breaker box, the first way to tell which circuit breaker is tripped is when the switch on one of them is facing the center position, when the others are all aimed at either the left or right position. You can push on this one in the direction the others are facing, and you will feel a spring like resistance. This means it is time to go through the process described above to reset it.
What happens if a circuit breaker won’t reset?
There are several reasons why a circuit won’t reset. The first one you want to consider is if there are any GFCI outlets on the circuit. If so, this outlet may be the culprit for why the power is not turning back on after resetting the breaker.
There also may be the situation that the breaker itself has gone bad. If this is the case you are going to want to get a professional electrician to take a look at the breaker. He or she can make the determination on whether you want to replace the breaker.
Another scenario to consider is if the circuit is still overloaded. There is the chance that you are drawing too much power with the appliances, lights, etc being in the “on” position. This can be remedied by turning them off, or unplugging them before flipping the breaker back on.
Is it safe to reset a tripped circuit breaker?
It is safe for you to reset a circuit breaker. You want to be careful when you do so, because you are dealing with a high amount of electricity. Make sure your hands are not wet, and you are not standing in a puddle. If so, you want to dry off and clean up the water before dealing with the circuit breakers.
Is flipping breakers dangerous?
Flipping circuit breakers is not dangerous in most situations. The panel has a protective cover on it that keeps the breakers in place, and keeps your hands away from the electricity. DO NOT flip the breakers if this cover is removed. This can be very dangerous. You want to secure the cover on the panel before you flip the breakers.
Do you have to reset the breaker after a power outage?
Power outages do not trip the breakers. For this reason you will not need to reset the breaker after a power outage.
The steps in this article cover the entire process of resetting a circuit breaker. If the breaker will not reset itself after you follow the steps you want to find a professional electrician to help you. Electricity can be very dangerous if not used properly.
I hope this article was what you are looking for. If you liked the information here, please check out my other articles. Here at Remodel Upgrade I am dedicated to help you love your home.
Happy Renovating,
Kevin
Kevin
I grew up in a family where my dad and several uncles were general contractors. They took me to the jobsites, and also taught me so much about home maintenance. I remember spending several summers in high school helping my father build houses. It gave me so much knowledge that I am excited to share!
