What happens after the circuit breaker breaks.
Once the electricity has stopped flowing, the internal bi-metal strip cools down and returns to its original shape. Now the circuit breaker can be reset by pressing the breaker's toggle back into the "set" position. It's easy to identify which breaker is tripped from the position of the breaker's toggle, on or off. There is also the appearance of a red indicator in the small window located in the center of some circuit breakers.
With the power fully restores, the microwave and lights are now on again and you can get back to normal life. It would be a good idea to think about what caused the circuit breaker to trip in the first place. Typically, the trouble is caused by an electrical overload.
An overloaded circuit is usually the result of having too many appliances or other electrical devices connected and turned on at one time. Once the current demand on the circuit breaker exceeds the current carrying capacity it will trip off, protecting every device on the circuit, as well as the larger structure.
Electrical circuits are designed to safely distribute electricity throughout the home. Devices or appliances that demand large amounts of current, such as a water heater, electric range, or clothes dryer will have large circuit breakers or two circuit breakers connected together. So-called single pole circuit breakers have only one toggle and are manufactured to handle electrical current from 10 to 50 amps. Double-pole circuit breakers are merely two circuit breakers connected together using a single toggle and are used for 240-volt appliances.
A GFCI operates much like a circuit breaker, except that it is sensitive to low levels of electrical current leakage. Unlike an electrical short, which is a sudden grounding of a hot electrical circuit, a ground fault is a minute electrical current in the range of 0.01 ampere. In normal conditions, this is not enough of an electrical current to cause electrical shock. But when wet or damp conditions are present, such as around a kitchen sink, hot tubs, swimming pools or bath rooms, contact with this small amount of electricity can be fatal. Damp and wet basements are also hazardous locations where unexpected contact with small amount of electricity can be fatal.
GFCI circuit breakers and outlets are the best protection against this serious electrical hazard. These electrical safety devices come with Test and Reset buttons that permit you to verify that the devices are working properly to protect anyone using an electrical device connected to the circuit.
Circuit breakers have saved countless numbers of lives and prevented fires in as many homes and buildings. They should never be bypassed. Although they do fail on occasion, they generally provide years of protection for your home and office. If you suspect that you have a faulty circuit breaker, you should call in a licensed electrician to examine the circuit and replace the circuit breaker if necessary.
With the power fully restores, the microwave and lights are now on again and you can get back to normal life. It would be a good idea to think about what caused the circuit breaker to trip in the first place. Typically, the trouble is caused by an electrical overload.
An overloaded circuit is usually the result of having too many appliances or other electrical devices connected and turned on at one time. Once the current demand on the circuit breaker exceeds the current carrying capacity it will trip off, protecting every device on the circuit, as well as the larger structure.
Electrical circuits are designed to safely distribute electricity throughout the home. Devices or appliances that demand large amounts of current, such as a water heater, electric range, or clothes dryer will have large circuit breakers or two circuit breakers connected together. So-called single pole circuit breakers have only one toggle and are manufactured to handle electrical current from 10 to 50 amps. Double-pole circuit breakers are merely two circuit breakers connected together using a single toggle and are used for 240-volt appliances.
A GFCI operates much like a circuit breaker, except that it is sensitive to low levels of electrical current leakage. Unlike an electrical short, which is a sudden grounding of a hot electrical circuit, a ground fault is a minute electrical current in the range of 0.01 ampere. In normal conditions, this is not enough of an electrical current to cause electrical shock. But when wet or damp conditions are present, such as around a kitchen sink, hot tubs, swimming pools or bath rooms, contact with this small amount of electricity can be fatal. Damp and wet basements are also hazardous locations where unexpected contact with small amount of electricity can be fatal.
GFCI circuit breakers and outlets are the best protection against this serious electrical hazard. These electrical safety devices come with Test and Reset buttons that permit you to verify that the devices are working properly to protect anyone using an electrical device connected to the circuit.
Circuit breakers have saved countless numbers of lives and prevented fires in as many homes and buildings. They should never be bypassed. Although they do fail on occasion, they generally provide years of protection for your home and office. If you suspect that you have a faulty circuit breaker, you should call in a licensed electrician to examine the circuit and replace the circuit breaker if necessary.
Be the first to comment