How to Properly Reset a Tripped Breaker and Avoid a Service Call but How Does A Breaker Trip.
If you’re looking at your breaker panel and can’t figure out how to reset a breaker, stick around—this guide might just save you a service call.
How Does A Breaker Trip Why You Might Have No Power
You’ve come here because you have no power to a circuit. You’ve checked the panel and everything seems to be in the ON position. But maybe it’s not. We’ll walk you through why that could be the case and how to fix it.
We’ll also cover fuse panels at the end of this post.
Common Breaker Panel Brands
There are four major types of breaker panels you’re likely to come across:
- Square D
- Eaton (formerly Cutler Hammer)
- Siemens (also known as Murray in the U.S.)
- Federal Pioneer (also known as Federal Pacific – now discontinued)
Although Federal Pioneer panels are no longer manufactured due to not meeting modern safety standards, replacement breakers are still available.
Orientation Matters
Most breakers flip up to turn ON and down to turn OFF. However, this can get confusing depending on how your panel is installed. Panels may be mounted:
- Sideways – In this case, ON might be DOWN at the top and UP at the bottom.
- Upside Down – The main breaker could be at the bottom.
- Horizontally – Sometimes done to meet space restrictions.
As a rule of thumb:
- Breakers pointing toward the center of the panel are ON.
- Breakers pointing outward (left or right) are OFF.
Make sure to check your panel’s orientation and labels carefully.
Different Breaker Styles: Full-Size vs. Minis
There are different sizes and styles of breakers:
- Full-size single-pole breakers (typically 15 amps)
- Mini or tandem breakers (space-saving)
Minis can be deceptive. They have a small joining tab in the center. Sometimes, one side of the breaker trips while the other appears fine. Always inspect both sides and ensure the joiner tab is fully in the ON position.
How to Properly Reset a Breaker
Here’s what we recommend when resetting a breaker:
- Do a Hard Reset – Don’t just flick it back on. Pull the breaker all the way to the OFF position first, then push it firmly back to ON.
- Use Your Thumb – Apply even pressure and avoid pulling the breaker out by accident.
- Listen for the Click – You’ll often hear and feel a click when it’s properly reset.
- Cycle Every Breaker – If your panel isn’t labeled clearly, go through each breaker one at a time. Turn them OFF and then back ON.
Sometimes, breakers trip internally without appearing to be off. Even professionals have been fooled by this. A hard reset across all breakers might fix your issue before you call in help.
What Does a Short Circuit Sound Like?
To demonstrate, we tripped a breaker on purpose to let you hear the “dreaded trip.” It’s a sharp pop or snap. That sound means trouble.
Important: Breakers aren’t meant to be tripped repeatedly. If a breaker trips more than two or three times, it weakens the internal mechanism. If this happens, call your electrician and consider replacing the breaker after fixing the issue.
Final Thoughts
Breaker panels can be tricky. A breaker might look fine but still be tripped. Before calling an electrician:
- Do a full hard reset on each breaker.
- Make sure all breakers are properly seated and fully turned ON.
If you’re dealing with a fuse panel, we’ve got you covered too. Click the link at the top of this post to watch a dedicated guide on identifying and replacing blown fuses.
Thanks for reading. Stay safe, and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more electrical tips!
