How To Properly Reset A Tripped Circuit Breaker - Master Electrician Explains | Mikeanic Tips, by Mikeanic on YouTube. 1 min 22 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 22 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Turn off or unplug the devices on the dead circuit before you touch the panel. This stops a surge when power returns.
Open the panel cover and find the breaker that sits between on and off, or has its handle flipped toward the middle. That is the tripped one.
Push the breaker handle firmly all the way to the off position first. You should hear or feel a click.
Then push the handle fully to the on position. A breaker that will not stay on is telling you there is still a fault.
Check that the lights or outlets on that circuit work again. If they do, plug devices back in one at a time.
If the breaker trips again right away, unplug everything on the circuit and reset it once more.
If it still trips with nothing plugged in, leave it off and call a licensed electrician. Do not keep resetting it.
Tips and common mistakes
Never reset a breaker with wet hands or while standing on a damp floor.
A breaker that feels hot, smells burnt or shows scorch marks should be replaced by an electrician, not reset.
Write down which outlets and rooms each breaker controls so the next trip is faster to trace.
Do not tape a breaker in the on position or swap in a larger size to stop tripping.
Questions
Why does my breaker keep tripping after I reset it?
Something on the circuit is drawing too much power or has a short. Unplug all devices and reset once. If it still trips, the wiring or the breaker itself needs an electrician.
Can I reset a breaker without turning it off first?
No. Push the handle fully to off, then to on. Skipping the off step can leave the breaker in a half state and it may not latch properly.
Is it safe to reset a breaker myself?
Yes, for a normal overload trip with dry hands and a dry floor. Stop and call a professional if the breaker is hot, damaged, or trips again straight away.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
