You’ve just come home with a brand new TV, and you can’t wait to see the high-definition screen in action. Once you finish setting it up, you sit back, kick your feet up, and switch it on.
But suddenly, the TV loses power. It seems that you’ve tripped the breaker. Was your new electronic device too much for the outlet to handle?
Before circuit breakers were invented, most houses had fuse panels instead. When the panel was overloaded, the inside of the fuse would melt and need to be replaced. But with a circuit breaker, solving the problem is as easy as flicking a switch.
However, in some cases, you may need help from an electrician. We’re going to explain how you can reset your circuit breaker and prevent it from happening again:
Resetting the Breaker
Before anything else, you should ensure that all your appliances and electronics are unplugged from the circuit. Check that all the lights are switched off, too.
Next, you’ll need to find where the electrical service panel is located in your home. Some of the most common spots include:
- The basement
- In utility closet
- The laundry room
- In the garage
- The hallway
Wherever the panel is located, it will probably be dark. Use your phone or bring a flashlight so you can get a clearer look at the panel.
If you’re lucky, the electrical panel will be labelled. This makes it much easier to find which breaker tripped. And even if it’s not, you can identify it by finding the switch that’s in a different position than all the others. It will be the only one in the OFF position, while other switches will be switched ON.
Once you find the right breaker, switch it once to the ON position, then back fully OFF again. You should hear a distinctive clicking noise when it’s turned off. Then, you can finally turn it back ON again. Now, power should be restored to your home.
After the breaker is fully reset, you can start turning your devices back on. We suggest labelling the breaker while you’re there; that way, you’ll have an easier time finding the switch next time.
What if the circuit shorts again? Then you’ll need to look to our next solution:
Why Does My Breaker Keep Tripping?
It may seem like a breaker trips to inconvenience you, but they’re an important safety feature. Without a circuit breaker, the wires may melt, and could even start a fire.
If you want to prevent this from happening, you need to reduce the number of appliances that are plugged into one circuit. Consider moving some of your electronics to another room, or only turning on a limited number at one time.
Some electronics demand more electricity than others. These include laundry machines, HVAC systems, and kitchen appliances.
If too many of these electronics are turned on with the same circuit, the breaker may trip repeatedly. You might consider increasing the capacity of the circuits themselves. To solve this problem, you’ll need to call electricians in Winnipeg.
At Powertec Electric, we can upgrade the electrical capacity of your home to supply it with ample power. We can even set up a dedicated circuit for the most demanding appliances. Call today!