Homeowner Maintenance Tips
Electrical
The master control panel that contains the electrical breakers for your home includes a “Main” shut off that controls all the power to your home. In addition to the Main breaker switch, individual breakers control the separate circuits to your home. These individual breakers have three positions: ON, OFF and TRIPPED.
If you lose power to a specific portion of your home, check the individual circuit breakers in the control panel. If any breaker is in the TRIPPED position, first flip it to the “OFF” position and then it can be turned “ON”. Switching the breaker from the “TRIPPED” position directly to the “ON” position will not restore electrical power. If you experience a total loss of electrical power to your home:
- Check the main breaker in the master control panel discussed above.
- Next, check with your local utility company to see if the problem is with the source of electrical power supplied to your home.
PLEASE NOTE THAT A LOSS OF POWER TO A LIMITED AREA OF YOUR HOME IS NOT CONSIDERED AN EMERGENCY!
If a wall outlet is not working, first check to see if it is controlled by a wall switch. Also check to be sure that the light bulb or appliance being used is working.
Your home’s electrical system also contains Ground Fault Interrupter Circuits, commonly referred to as GFI receptacles. Installation of these GFI receptacles is a safeguard against excessive moisture and heavy appliance use. Faulty appliances, especially hair dryers, are a common cause of tripped GFI receptacles. GFI receptacles have a RESET button directly on the receptacle. If power is lost simply press the RESET button.
If any of your circuit breakers continue to trip, unplug all items connected to it and then reset the breaker. If the circuit then remains on, one of the items you had connected to it is defective. |
