How to Find a Bad Circuit Breaker

Circuit breakers are switches designed to prevent damage from electrical overload. When this occurs, the circuit breaker switches off to discontinue electrical flow. They have the same function as a fuse, except they do not need to be replaced after each incident. A circuit breaker can simply be switched back into the on position. Circuit breakers do require replacement but only when they go bad and stop doing their job. You can find a bad circuit breaker without tools.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Locate the suspected circuit breaker in the box. Look for signs that it may have gone bad. Does it keep tripping repeatedly? Does it flop back and forth and not click into position? Are there signs of water damage, burning or charred marks? These are all signs of a bad circuit breaker.

2. Determine what area it affects. Turn off the suspected bad circuit breaker. Unplug all the machines or devices that are associated with it.

3. Reset the circuit breaker by flipping it back into the on position. Go back to the area associated with the bad circuit breaker and plug in each electronic device individually. If the circuit breaker is fine, your problems could be related to one of the devices associated with the suspected circuit breaker. If the suspected circuit breaker trips again after you have gone through the previous steps, it could have gone bad and need replacement.

Tips & Warnings

• Electricity is dangerous. What looks like a bad circuit breaker could be a much more serious electrical problem. Consult a professional electrician for help if you see open wires or sparks.

References

• How to Test a Circuit Breaker