How to Reset Surge Protectors With Circuit Breakers

A common electrical receptical with a built-in surge protector can be easily reset.

Virtually all modern surge protectors come with built-in circuit breakers. These breakers will literally "break" the electrical current due to a power surge, a power spike or a short circuit. They act like miniature breaker boxes or fuse panels and will protect any equipment that is plugged into them. Commonly used for sensitive electronics like computers and their peripherals, once the circuit has been broken, they can be simply reset and be ready for use once again.

Instructions

1. Find the two buttons on your surge protector. One will be colored red and is labeled "Reset" and one will be the color of the protector itself and will be labeled "Test." These buttons activate the built-in circuit breaker.

2. Push in the button that is labeled "Test." As you do so, you will hear a distinct clicking sound.

3. Push in the red button that is labeled "Reset." Once pushed in, you will also hear a distinctive click.

4. Plug any small appliance into the surge protector, which can be anything from an electric fan, a radio or anything with an on and off switch. Once plugged into the surge protector, turn the appliance on and if it works, the circuit breaker has been successfully reset. If the appliance does not work, repeat the reset procedure again. If the appliance does not work after a second reset of the circuit breaker has been done, the surge protector must be replaced.

References

• US Consumer Product Safety Commission: Electrical Receptacle Outlets
• Belkin Electronics: Surge Protectors
• Newpoint: Frequently Asked Questions - Surge Protectors