How to Reset a Push Button Circuit Breaker
To reset the push button on a circuit breaker, you first need to identify what made the breaker trip. A possible reason for your breaker to trip may be overload. This means you placed too much power on the circuit and caused it to trip. Eliminate the overload before you proceed. If an appliance caused the circuit to trip when you plugged it in, unplug the appliance before you reset the push button circuit breaker. You will need to find another location to plug in that appliance or you will continue to experience an overload.
Step 1
Go to the panel and locate the breaker. The breaker will be the one that is tripped. Tripped means the breaker has flipped to the "Off" position. Cut the breaker completely off, then turn the breaker back on. Push the button on the breaker and the breaker should trip.
Step 2
Reset the breaker by turning it back on. If this is an arc fault breaker, take the arc fault tester to the bedroom. Plug the tester in an electrical socket and press the button on the tester. The breaker should trip. Go back to the panel and reset the breaker by turning it off and turning it back on again.
Step 3
Use the same procedure for a ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI breaker. Take a GFCI tester, plug it into the GFCI receptacle and press the button. The breaker should trip. Return to the panel and reset the GFCI receptacle by turning it off and turning it back on again. If these breakers don't trip, they aren't doing their jobs and need to be replaced.
References
Writer Bio
Drenee Brown began writing online articles in 2006, contributing to various websites. She is a former Six Sigma specialist and received her certification through Ford Motor Company Lean Academy. She is also an entrepreneur and president of an electrical contracting company in Atlanta. She holds an Associate of Arts in communications from Sawyer Business School.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
More Articles
