Tripped Breaker? Here’s How to Reset It Safely (and When to Call Us)
If you’ve suddenly lost power in part of your home, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with a tripped breaker. It’s a common issue in households especially in older homes or during seasonal spikes in electrical usage. Fortunately, resetting a breaker is usually simple—but sometimes, it points to a bigger problem.
In this post, we’ll show you how to reset a tripped breaker step-by-step, why it might have tripped in the first place, and when to call a licensed electrician to keep your home safe.
What Is a Tripped Breaker?
A tripped breaker is a safety mechanism in your electrical panel that shuts off power to a circuit when it detects an overload, short circuit, or ground fault. It helps prevent fires and damage to your wiring or appliances.
Breakers trip for a few common reasons:
- Plugging too many devices into one outlet or power strip
- Short circuits caused by faulty wiring or damaged cords
- Ground faults, often seen in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens
- Malfunctioning appliances or overloaded HVAC systems
How to Reset a Tripped Breaker (Step-by-Step)
Before you head to the panel, unplug or turn off anything you were using when the power went out—especially if it caused the breaker to trip.
- Locate Your Electrical Panel
Usually found in garages, basements, or utility rooms. Some homes may have subpanels. - Identify the Tripped Breaker
Look for a breaker that’s not fully in the ON or OFF position—it’ll be stuck in the middle or slightly off-center. - Turn It Fully OFF First
Push the breaker firmly to the OFF position. This step resets the internal mechanism. - Flip It Back ON
Push the breaker back to the ON position. You should feel a slight resistance or click. - Check for Power
If the circuit turns back on, great! If it immediately trips again, do not force it—call a licensed electrician.
When to Call a Licensed Electrician
Not all breaker trips are harmless. Call Gaddie Electric if:
- The breaker trips again immediately after resetting
- You smell burning or see scorch marks near outlets or the panel
- You hear buzzing from the panel or outlets
- You’ve recently installed a new appliance or device
- You’re constantly flipping the same breaker back on
These may indicate a serious electrical issue that requires professional troubleshooting.
Related resource: Home Electrical Safety Tips – Electrical Safety Foundation International
Preventing Tripped Breakers in the Future
You can avoid many breaker issues by:
- Installing dedicated circuits for high-power appliances (e.g., microwaves, AC units, hot tubs)
- Having your electrical panel inspected every few years
- Upgrading outdated panels or wiring (especially in homes built before 1980)
- Avoiding daisy-chaining power strips
Need help preventing future problems? We can help? Just give us a call or request a visit online.