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Jeff's experience designing content solutions led him to be one of our first contributors. He helped draft Makey's blueprint and is one of the best explainers of technical details we know.
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If you suddenly find yourself with no power, one of the first things you should do is check to see if you have a tripped breaker. The circuit breakers inside your breaker box may seem complicated at first, but knowing how to reset one is a must have homeowner skill.
The term circuit breaker refers to a type of electrical switch that automatically trips (shuts off) to stop the flow of electricity if a problem is detected. Unlike a blown fuse that needs to be replaced, a tripped breaker can typically be reset, either manually or automatically, by flipping the breaker switch back to the on position. Circuit breakers come in many different sizes and variations, ranging from smaller low voltage breakers (the kind typically found in a home’s breaker box) to larger high voltage industrial units.
There are a few key signs that will indicate when it’s time to replace a circuit breaker. And, although replacing a circuit breaker is not inherently difficult, it does require working with electricity and could be dangerous. Please, consult a professional:
WARNING! Working with electricity can be dangerous, even for experienced DIYers. If you’re unsure about working with electricity, you should probably consult a professional electrician.