Circuit breakers protect a circuit from overloads and short circuits. When the current exceeds the rating of the breaker, it will trip. Circuit breaker ratings for household use are typically 15, 20, and 30 amps.

Main Circuit Breaker

The main circuit breaker to a house is either located on the meter panel, or at the top or bottom of the main electrical panel. It can be used to shut power down to the whole house. Including the electrical panel.

Circuit Breakers

Circuit Breakers Explained

See Circuit Breakers Explained by Realpars.

Circuit Breaker Handle Position

A circuit breaker is in the “on” position when the handle faces the middle of the electrical panel. The “off” position is away from the middle of the panel.

If power is lost to lights, outlets, or appliances it may be a tripped circuit breaker. When a circuit breaker trips, the handle is usually in between on and off position (sometimes in the “off” position).

How to Reset a Circuit Breaker

Important! Before resetting a breaker, stand to the side of the electrical panel, do not stand in front. In certain rare situations while resetting a breaker, it could arc flash and injure a person standing in front of the panel.

To reset the breaker, turn the handle away from the middle of the panel (off position) and then turn the handle toward the middle of the panel (on position).

Can I Use a Circuit Breaker as a Switch?

It is fairly common for circuit breakers to act as light switches in warehouses, stores, and commercial environments. It is OK to use a circuit breaker as a switch if the following ratings are listed on the breaker.

HID This rating indicates a breaker can be used to switch fluorescent lights on a regular basis
SWD This rating indicates a breaker can be used to switch HID and fluorescent lights on a regular basis

GFCI and AFCI Circuit Breakers

Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and arc fault interrupter (AFCI) breakers work the same as standard breakers. The GFCI breaker will also trip when current flows to ground instead of back to neutral. The AFCI breaker will also trip when it detects an arc fault. To test either breaker, press the white button and it should trip. If it does not trip, it needs to be replaced. Reset like a standard breaker.

Nuisance Circuit Breaker Tripping

Nuisance tripping happens when a circuit breaker trips during normal conditions (circuit is not overloaded, no ground fault, no apparent arc fault). It could be that the breaker needs to be replaced, or that a load is causing a ground or arc fault. An old vacuum cleaner may be tripping a good AFCI breaker. If a load trips an AFCI breaker, try plugging the load into another circuit with AFCI protection.

Two-Pole Circuit Breakers

Two-pole (double-pole) circuit breakers are used to protect a 240 volt (V) circuit. A 240V circuit consists of two 120V circuits, A and B phase. 240V is used for central air conditioners, electric dryers, electric ranges, etc. Since the handles are connected together, when one pole (A or B phase) trips, the other pole is automatically turned off.

Circuit breaker neutral wire

GFCI and AFCI Breaker Wiring

A GFCI and AFCI breaker comes with a white neutral wire attached to it. This wire is connected to the neutral bar in the electrical panel. The circuit neutral wire is connected to the GFCI or AFCI breaker. Ground is not shown in these diagrams.

Troubleshoot Circuit Breakers

TROUBLESHOOTING CIRCUIT BREAKERS ARE DONE ON AN OPEN LIVE ELECTRICAL PANEL AND SHOULD ONLY BE DONE BY A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN. WORKING ON A LIVE ELECTRICAL PANEL RUNS THE RISK OF ELECTROCUTION OR SEVERE ARC FLASH!!! THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR REFERENCE ONLY.

There are two tests for breakers, voltage and current.

Voltage test - With a solenoid tester or a multimeter set on AC voltage, one lead is placed on the neutral or ground bar, and the other lead is placed on the circuit breaker load terminal. If voltage is not present with the breaker on, it needs to be replaced.

Current test - The clamp of a multimeter/clamp meter is placed around the circuit wire connected to a breaker. If the breaker trips while the current is below the rating of the breaker, it needs to be replaced.

GFCI and AFCI Circuit Breaker Wiring Diagram

Voltage test using test leads

Current test using clamp