It’s April-showers-brings-May-flowers time again, and if you’re anything like us, rainy days slooooow you down a bit. When it’s drizzly, maybe you turn on the TV, get your electric blanket ready, start a pot of coffee…
… and then *click*. Everything stops working.
It’s probably the circuit breaker.
A circuit breaker is a built-in safety device that cuts power to your appliances when there’s too much current flowing through them. Without the help of a circuit breaker, wiring issues or other failures can easily cause problems. We’re talking about fire-level problems.
In older homes you “blow a fuse.” In newer homes you “trip the breaker.” If the circuit breaker is “tripped” by a fault somewhere in your home, you can flip a switch to reset it, with no replacement required (usually).
Circuit breakers are generally inconspicuous (read: easy to hide behind mountains of stuff in your garage or basement). Typically, they’re built into the wall and covered with a metal panel you open to reveal the many switches and levers inside.
Most often, you’ll find them in garages, basements, hallways, or storage rooms. If you’re having trouble, look outside for the electric meter. The breakers on the inside are usually installed close to the electric meters on the outside. If you’re really having trouble, make it a fun weekend activity with the family! Who can find the circuit breaker fastest? (Sometimes you just run out of ideas for the kids, you know?)
Depending on the size and types of appliances in your home, you may have multiple panels.
Why did my circuit breaker trip?
Circuit breakers “trip” or switch to the OFF position when there’s too much electrical current for your home and appliances to safely handle.
Breakers usually trip for a couple of reasons:
If it doesn’t seem to be either of those options, it’s probably a ground fault—which is best handled by a Denver electrician.
It’s pretty easy and perfectly safe to reset a breaker on your own:
Is this like the hundredth time you’ve tripped your breaker?
Okay, maybe not the hundredth… but do you seem to be going to the breaker panel a lot? If so, it’s time to have an electrician take a look. While resetting switches is easy, there may be an underlying issue that puts your home and your family at risk.
Don’t wait until the hundredth trip to the basement. As your trusted Denver electrician, we’re happy to help. Give us a call today!
We’re ready to answer your questions or schedule your appointment, call now or book online!