What Do You Know About Your Circuit Breaker?

There are a few things every homeowner needs to know about the place they call home. Among them are where your water shutoff valve is, where your gas shutoff is and, of course, where your electrical breaker box is located. In the event of an emergency, knowing where these features are and how to interact with them can be the difference between a situation that’s getting worse and one that’s under control.

The breaker box in particular is an all-important aspect of your home and something that you’re likely to interact with even when there’s no emergency present. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with how it works—something an electrical contractor in Oakdale, CA will be glad to walk you through.

An Overview of the Breaker Box

This is the entry point for electricity into your home. The breaker box is the root of power for your entire home and the point where everything is controlled. It’s your first line of defense against electrical problems as well—breakers are designed to stop power in the event of an unsafe overload.

Your breaker box works by managing circuits throughout your home. For example, your entire living room might be on a single circuit, which provides power control for your overhead lighting, outlets and anything else in the living room that requires power. Each circuit is attached to a breaker, all culminating in the array of breakers contained within your breaker box.

When to Visit Your Breaker Box

There are a few different times you might have to visit your breaker box throughout your time as a homeowner. For example, if you turn on the microwave and the power suddenly goes out in the kitchen, an overloaded circuit breaker is likely the culprit. You’ll need to reset the breaker and try again. If the same problem occurs, you might have to call a professional for circuit breaker replacement in Oakdale, CA to deal with the faulty breaker.

Tripped breakers aren’t the only time you’ll need to get into the breaker box. Let’s say you’re doing some basic remodeling in a room or you’re going out of town for an extended period of time. It’s often a smart idea to flip the breakers off to prevent unnecessary energy flow in these situations.

Finally, if you’re having a problem with a specific outlet or room, shutting down the breaker until you can call a professional is always a good idea.

Smart Tips for Breaker Boxes

The last step in getting to know your breaker box is to pay close attention to how it’s set up. There are a few particulars you should have in place:

• Proper labeling for each breaker
• A list of major appliances on each circuit
• An emergency number listed for electrical problems

Being able to decipher your breaker box at a glance can help in emergencies, along with the number of an electrician who can help you immediately.

If you’re not familiar with your breaker box, it’s time to get acquainted. The more you know about this central electrical hub, the smarter you’ll be able to act when it comes to your electrical system.

Categorised in: Circuit Breaker Change Outs, Electrician

This post was written by Writer