Your circuit breaker plays a key role in your homes electrical performance and safety. Breakers such as General Electric Circuit Breakers can be easier and safer to use following a few maintenance tips.
Label the Switches
General Electric Circuit Breakers and most other brands have a series of switches and/or fuses. When a circuit breaker is tripped due to either an electric short or overload you will have to reset the circuit. In order to identify which circuit has been tripped it is helpful to label the panel so you know what circuit covers each area of your home. If you are uncertain what area each circuit covers you can label them as problems occur or switch off each circuit while someone watches to see what rooms no longer have power.
Resetting your Circuit Breaker
When your circuit breaker is tripped you will lose power to the area of your home that experiences the overload or short. You will have to reset your circuit breaker by checking to see what breaker has been shut off. You can usually tell as the switch will be in a different position than the other switches and some panels also have green and red markers that let you know they are off when red. Make sure you press the switch completely to the off position before resetting it.
A Humming Circuit Breaker
If you notice a humming sound coming from your circuit breaker it is a sign something is wrong. Issues may include:
- The circuits are overloading but not doing their job and tripping. This is an issue and can lead to serious issues including fire.
- If you notice sparking and hissing or even a fizzling sound this is an issue with the wiring which will need to be repaired. In many cases you may need new General Electric Circuit breakers.
- If a circuit begins humming when you reset it and then turns off on its own immediately it requires repairs. This does not necessarily mean you need a whole new circuit breaker.
If you experience any of these issues call en electrician and have it checked out as soon as possible. You can also check your circuit breaker intermittently to ensure there are no signs of sparking, spitting, hissing, humming or a noticeable heat radiating from the system. Being aware of your circuit breaker’s condition will help keep your home protected from potential electrical hazards.
If you notice sparking and hissing or even a fizzling sound this is an issue with the wiring which will need to be repaired. In many cases you may need new General Electric Circuit breakers. Choose from a variety of different types from Breakeroutlet.com.
