Standard Circuit Breakers and GFI Breakers:    INFO COMING SOON

Standard Circuit Breakers are usually located in the basement of a property.  If you are unsure where your breakers are located, press Specific Circuit Breaker Locations By House.

Although different brands look slightly different, all breaker work the same way.  They are a safety device that disconnects a circuit when it is overloaded.

Reasons a Standard Circuit Breaker becomes overloaded and trip (disconnect):

1:     Too many high wattage items using the same circuit breaker are on at the same time. A typical household outlet circuit is either 20 amps (2400 watts) or 15 amps (1800 watts).  Two 1000 watt space heaters both on the same circuit will trip a 15 amp circuit.  Air conditioners, hair driers, electric curling irons, large TV, stereos or computer monitors are also high wattage items.

        SOLUTION:   Leave the tripped breaker in the tripped or off position.
                            Unplug the high wattage items from any outlet that does not work after the breaker trips.
                            Look for other outlets that are currently working, these are on a different circuit.
                            Relocate one or more high wattage items to a different circuit.
                            Reset the tripped breaker.
                            Continue to relocate high wattage items as needed.

2:     A faulty appliance or a short in an appliance cord.  If you are unable to reset a breaker or it immediately trips, than either there is a faulty appliance or the circuit is overloaded. 

        SOLUTION:   Leave the tripped breaker in the tripped or off position.
                            If you are unsure which item is causing the problem unplug all items on the circuit (all outlets currently off)
                            Reset the tripped breaker.
                            Plug in items one at a time and turn on.  The faulty item will trip the breaker.
                            Disconnect faulty item and do not use until it is repaired.

GFI Breakers:      GFI breakers look similar to outlets but have one or two reset buttons in the center.  These are usually located in wet areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms and outside.