When it comes to the home’s electrical system, you rely on it to keep working, no matter what’s going on. Without electricity, appliances can’t function. While wiring installed by a licensed electrical contractor will supply the home with the power you need, interruptions in the current can cause problems with appliances. That’s where a circuit breaker comes into play.

What Is a Circuit Breaker?

A circuit breaker is a safety feature of your home’s electrical system. The breaker is an automatic switch that monitors the electrical current in the wiring. If the system receives too much power, the breaker sends a signal to interrupt the circuit, preventing surges from destroying your electronics.

The breakers themselves are tailored to your home’s electrical system. Larger buildings and apartment complexes often have more massive breakers to absorb more of the current at any given time. The ones in your home will be much smaller and can often be easily triggered.

How Do the Breakers Work?

When electrical current passes through your wiring, it does so on a closed circuit. This is what allows the power to flow continually through the tubing and to your appliances. However, since electricity comes from an external source, like the power lines down the street, your wiring may not always receive the same steady supply of energy it’s meant to carry. When the electricity is greater than what a home is rated to circulate, it causes a power surge.

When left to its own devices, that surge of power would travel along the closed circuit to your appliances, frying the cords, damaging sensitive electrical equipment, and destroying computers. However, when an electrical contractor installs a system correctly, the circuit breaker will trip as soon as a surge happens. The breaker then cuts power to the part of the house that the surge was actively traveling towards. To restore power, all you need to do is return the circuit breaker to its active position. This can typically be done with the flip of a switch inside your breaker box. If you’re not sure where the breaker box is located, contact an electrical contractor.

If you’re looking for an experienced electrical contractor to handle all of your home’s wiring and maintenance needs, look no further than Osterwisch Company in Cincinnati, OH. Their experienced team has helped residents keep their home’s electrical and plumbing systems in good condition since 1946. Whether you need a technician to redo the wiring for a new HVAC installation or want an experienced contractor to inspect the pipes for damage after the final freeze of the year, their team is ready to help. Learn more about their services online and call (513) 791-3282 to schedule an appointment.