What to do when a circuit breaker trips.

Fortunately, it’s easy to fix a circuit breaker trip in just a few minutes.

A circuit breaker protects your home against damaging or harmfulshort circuitsand overloads.

Finger pointing to tripped circuit breaker in service panel

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

What Causes a Tripped Circuit Breaker

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Unscrewing and removing the inner dead-front coverwithin the service panelexposes the highly powered lugs.

Use the light from a phone if necessary.

flashlight

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Turn Off Devices on the Circuit

Turn off all devices on the electrical circuit.

Tip

One clue is to first find theelectric service dropfrom the main power lines.

Usually, your homes service panel is located below and nearby, on the inside of your home.

Light switch pressed and turned off

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Next, swing the door open.

Use the inset plastic switch as a handle to pull the door open.

Check manufacturer’s instructions for your particular product.

Gray metal service box with door open showing circuit breakers

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Double and Tandem Breakers

Double pole breakersare double-wide breakers with wide handles.

They are often used for dryer or oven circuits.

Each side operates individually.

Circuit Breaker Panel

Adhi Syailendra / Getty Images

The handle should seat firmly in place and should make an audible click.

Test Circuit

Turn the gear such as the light or A/C back on.

Also, choose a gadget with a lower power draw such as a light fixture.

Finger pointing to tripped circuit breaker in service panel

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Unless you are anadvanced do-it-yourselfer, its best to hire an electrician towire up a new circuit breaker.

Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.

Ground-Fault Circuit Interruptors.International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

Switch lever identified and pressed to the On direction

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Circuit breaker switch turned on to restore power

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Light switch pressed and turned on to test the circuit

The Spruce / Kevin Norris