When electricity flows into your home, its first destination is the breaker box. From there, it is divided into multiple circuits and sent to various rooms throughout your house. If one of these circuits is overpowered—such as using too many appliances at once—the circuit breaker will “break” the flow of electricity to prevent fires or wiring damage. This is especially common in older homes, where the outdated wiring can’t support modern needs. When this happens, a switch inside the breaker box is flipped. If you’re wondering how to reset these circuits and get the electricity flowing again, use the following guide.

What Should I Do When My Circuit Breaker Trips?

1. Locate the Breaker Box

Nosy breaker boxes can be found in garages or basements in older homes. They are usually inside grey metal boxes mounted against the wall. Before you approach the box, make sure the floor beneath it is completely dry, as any moisture coupled with a circuit issue could result in electrocution. The tripped breaker will be the only switch flipped away from the “On” position, which may reveal an orange or red patch.

2. Cut the Power

Before resetting the breakers, head to the area of your house that the circuit sends power to. If it is your bedroom, shut off all light fixtures and electronics that are drawing power—including lamps, TVs, alarm clocks, fans, and even aromatherapy diffusers.

3. Reset the Breaker

To restore power to the breaker in older homes, you’ll need to turn the entire breaker box off and on again—not just flip the one switch. You’ll find a lever on the side of the box, which you should shift to the “Off” position, wait a few seconds, and then move back to “On.” The lever may be hard to move, and you might hear a click as the flipped circuit breaker corrects itself.

 

If your electricity is still not coming back on, get in touch with WM Electric of St. Louis, MO. This family-owned and -operated business caters to residential and commercial clients alike. Whether you need new wiring or help resetting the breaker box, you can count on their three decades of experience to solve the problem. To learn more about their services, visit the website, or call (314) 802-0001.