John is a homeowner in California. Two days ago, he came back from a stressful day at work, hoping to enjoy the comfort of his home’s heating and cooling system. But to his greatest surprise, there was no power supply in his home. At first, he thought that the loss of power was because of electrical surges in the neighborhood. However, he didn’t know that the problem was from the main circuit breaker box in his electrical panel and that he needed a circuit breaker repair to fix the issue.
Sometimes, power outages in your home can be because of a tripped circuit breaker, a bad circuit breaker, or even because you’re using an old circuit breaker. In such cases, you’ll need a circuit breaker repair to bring electricity back to your home. Join us in this blog as we show you what to do when the power in your home goes out and you need a circuit breaker replacement or repairs.
Let’s begin!
Key Highlights
- Ensure you turn off your main circuit breaker before checking the source of the power outage in your home.
- You should hire a qualified electrician who will provide you with safe and quality circuit breaker repairs.
Understanding Circuit Breakers and Power Outages
Your main circuit breaker is the main control point. It shuts off power in your house if there is a serious electrical problem. With their help, you can prevent electrical fires, damage to your new appliances, and electrical inconveniences in your home.
On the other hand, power outages can happen for many reasons. They may be caused by bad weather, damaged power lines, or short circuits in your bus bars or your home’s main service panel. If you know the source of the problem during a power outage in your home, you can quickly take the right action to fix the issue.
Common Cause of Circuit Breaker Failures
Here’s the truth: over time, your circuit breakers can become weak or stop working, just like any other part in your amperage panel, especially if you’re using an old circuit breaker. However, one reason for tripped circuit breakers in your home is because of circuit overload.
Your circuits have their safe levels, but when you connect too many devices like your lamp holder, hairdryer, and microwave at the same time in one circuit, it can enter dangerous levels which might overload your breaker and lead to circuit breaker repairs.
Sometimes, it can be a blown fuse, poor terminal wiring, or electrical work that damages your new breakers. That’s why you need to call an experienced electrician to fix it and restore power to your home.
Initial Steps to Take During a Power Outage
If the power in your home goes out suddenly, don’t panic. Try to stay calm and check what’s happening. Look to see if only your home is out of power or if your whole neighborhood is affected. If your neighbors have power, then the issue might be in your electrical system’s panel.
How to safely assess your electrical panel
- Turning off your main breaker is a safety tip every homeowner should follow before they open their electrical panel to find out the source of the problem. This will help you to cut off the power supply and avoid getting shocked by the hot wires in your panel.
- When you want to open your panel cover, be careful of any dust or debris that may fall out, and take some time to understand the layout of your panel before conducting any DIY repairs.
- You should check your main breaker and individual circuit breakers for any clear signs of damage or, if any of them tripped. If you notice any burn marks, melted plastic, or strange noises from your breaker box, don’t ignore them. These signs could mean that you have a serious electrical issue.
Preparing for Emergency Circuit Breaker Repair
When you’re preparing for your circuit breaker repair, you need to have the right tools and safety gear. Working with electricity can be dangerous, so always make safety your top priority. So, ensure you have a voltage tester to check if the power is off before you work on any electrical part.
You should also keep a flashlight near you since electrical work often needs proper lighting. Don’t forget to wear proper safety glasses and gloves to shield yourself from sparks and shocks. However, if you are not sure about any part of the repair, do not try to fix it by yourself. Ensure you call a professional electrician to assist you with your repairs.
Identifying when it’s a DIY job vs. when to call a professional
Resetting a tripped circuit breaker is usually easy, but sometimes circuit breaker repair requires the expertise of a licensed electrician. Attempting to fix complex electrical issues without the right knowledge can be dangerous and may lead to more damage or even injury. If you feel unsure about working with electricity, it’s best to be safe and call a qualified electrician. They can help you install AFCI breakers or GFCI sockets to prevent electric fires and shocks. With their expertise in circuit breaker repair, they know how to tackle and fix tough electrical problems safely. Here are some signs that you should call a professional:
- Recurring circuit breaker trips.
- Burning smells from your electrical panel.
- Buzzing or crackling sounds from your outlets or switches.
- Hot bus bars in your electrical panel.
A Beginner’s Guide to Troubleshooting Circuit Breaker
Troubleshooting your electrical system for circuit breaker repairs is not as complicated as it seems. You can rectify this by doing the following: First, determine which rooms or appliances in your home are affected by the power outage, and then follow these steps to examine the parts of your breaker panel to identify the problem and decide on the course of action to take.
Step 1: Identify the tripped circuit breaker
The first thing to do to solve a circuit breaker issue is to locate the breaker that has tripped in your service panel. You should ensure that the main breaker is off for your safety. Then, find the breaker that is a bit off from the rest of the others. It might even slightly protrude a little beyond the middle point in between the ‘on’ and the ‘off’ positions.
If you are not certain which of the circuit breakers are supplying power to the specific area of the house that you are working on, then you could turn them off one at a time. This might assist you in locating the faulty circuit breaker that tripped.
When you locate the tripped breaker, look at the label on the panel cover to tell you which breaker caused the tripping. This label informs you of the area in your home or which appliance the breaker caters for. It also assists you in identifying what could have led to the tripping of the breaker.
Step 2: Test the circuit breaker to see if it’s working
Once the tripped circuit breaker has been located, the next thing to do is to reset it and confirm whether it is working. First, turn the main circuit breaker to the off position as a measure of ensuring safety. This switches off the current supply to your panel. Then, carefully remove the breaker which seems to be faulty.
After the breaker is pulled out, examine the connection points for any signs of wear and tear. If you notice any damage, you should get a new circuit breaker. You can also check if the power is passing through the breaker by using a voltage tester. If there is no voltage showing on the tester, then it is still safe to touch the breaker and continue with the testing or replace the breaker. However, if the tester shows voltage, turn off the power supply and seek the service of a professional electrician.
Here in California, Frontline Pro Services is the right electrician for your home needs. We have licensed technicians who can help you with your circuit breaker repairs or any other electrical work in your home. We understand the need to restore power to your home. That’s why our professional electricians have the right tools, skills, and years of experience to provide you with safe, fast, and affordable services. Contact us now!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Circuit Breaker Repair?
Circuit breaker repair involves diagnosing and fixing issues within your electrical panel’s circuit breakers. Common issues include tripped breakers, faulty connections, or outdated breakers that need replacement. Circuit breaker repair ensures a safe and uninterrupted power supply in your home.
When should I consider Circuit Breaker Repair?
You should consider circuit breaker repair if you experience frequent power outages, your breaker panel emits a burning smell, or if there are buzzing sounds from outlets. Other signs include circuit breakers that won’t stay reset or breakers that feel hot to the touch. Timely circuit breaker repair can prevent bigger electrical issues and ensure safety.
Can I perform Circuit Breaker Repair myself?
While resetting a tripped breaker is manageable, circuit breaker repair should be handled by a licensed electrician for complex issues, like replacing a faulty breaker or dealing with wiring problems. DIY attempts at circuit breaker repair without proper knowledge can be dangerous.
How much does Circuit Breaker Repair cost?
The cost of circuit breaker repair varies depending on the complexity of the issue and the parts required. Simple repairs may cost less, while complex issues, like a full panel replacement, can be more expensive. Always get an estimate from a qualified electrician before proceeding with circuit breaker repair.
Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping? Do I need Circuit Breaker Repair?
Frequent tripping may indicate an overloaded circuit, a short circuit, or a faulty breaker. If this happens often, circuit breaker repair can help identify the root cause and resolve the issue to restore consistent power flow.
