This is typically a large gray metal box attached to one of the walls in or around your home.
It opens up to reveal two columns of switches, which are the circuit breakers.
The service panel is usually found in out-of-the-way rooms and areas in or around the house.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
Older homes built before 1965 have circuits wired with fuses instead of breakers in an electrical service panel.
Before opening the door to your electrical service panel, check to ensure the floor around you is dry.
Push the switch into the OFF position to shut off your home’s power.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Turn off the circuit by flipping its toggle to the OFF position.
Use a non-contact tester to check for power at the outlets, then proceed with your project.
Circuit breakers trip to protect against melting wires and electrical fires.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
It’s generally considered safe to turn off the main breaker.
Sparks may also fly when turning the main breaker off and on if the wiring is old or faulty.
Eventually, you will need to flip the breaker to restore power.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
You do not need to wait to reset the breaker.
Once it trips, it immediately cuts power.
Flipping it back will restore power to the circuit.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
