Why Won’t My Home Circuit Breaker Reset?

Winter is now upon us which means that your home’s electrical system is apt to be used a great deal and experience a whole lot more stress. From holiday lights and Christmas trees to outdoor lighting and a continuously running furnace, your home uses a good deal of electricity during the long winter season. With that said, a tripped circuit breaker is not only to be expected, but is sure to happen at some time or another during the brisk winter months.

Your Circuit Breaker

Typically, resetting the breaker is quick and easy. However, there are times when you might find yourself faced with a bit of a challenge or problem with the breaker remaining in a closed position. This can and does occur in many homes, which is why we want to take this time to share some important insight on why the problem arises. First and foremost, we want to remind clients that it can be dangerous to attempt a diagnosis or repair of any electrical problem on your own and that includes a circuit breaker that will not reset.

Primary Reasons for a Failed Circuit Breaker Reset

There are a number of reasons why your home breaker will not reset with some of them being quite simple and others somewhat complex. Let’s take a look at some of them now.

• Circuit overload caused by appliances – When your circuit trips, more times than not it is because of an overload. When this occurs, determine which appliances in your home are plugged in and directly impacting the tripped circuit. It may be necessary to unplug all the appliances and then reset the circuit breaker. Then plug them in one at a time to see if an overload occurs again. This allows for you to identify the appliance that is the source of the tripping circuit and replace it as needed.
• A faulty breaker – Though not a typical source of a problem, a breaker can, from time to time, be faulty, especially if it is easily tripped by the use of normal electrical voltage. Breakers can be either repaired or, if necessary, replaced altogether. However, only a licensed and highly skilled electrician can perform this task.
• Electrical shorts/short circuits – If an electrical short is present along a circuit, the circuit breaker is sure to be tipped. If the breaker trips repeatedly there could be a dangerous electrical short that is occurring within your home. In this case, turn the breaker off and reach out to a professional electrician who will be able to identify the short and provide an effective solution. Be sure not to leave continuous shorts unattended to since this can lead to a fire hazard in your home.
• An aged electrical panel - If the circuit breaker will not remain closed, the culprit could very well be the need for an electrical panel upgrade. There are some installed panels, especially in older homes, that are faulty and unable to handle the electrical demand in more modern-day homes. A certified electrician can perform an inspection and analysis of your panel and determine if it can be repaired or if it needs to be upgraded.

Sum It Up

The circuit breaker in your home plays a significant role in the overall functionality, operation and safety of your living space. If you find yourself faced with a breaker that will not reset or is faulty, look to the pros here at Gervais Electric, Inc. To not only identify the problem for you, but provide an effective and affordable fix. For all your electrical needs, including 24/7 emergency electrical repairs and services, choose the dedicated professionals here at Gervais Electric, Inc. where our clients’ safety and satisfaction is always our number one priority. With the new year upon us, we want to send along wishes from our little family to yours for a safe and prosperous 2023 ahead!