One of the first things to do when the power goes out unexpectedly is to check the breaker box. Electricity can be dangerous, of course, so it’s important to know how the breaker box works to avoid getting shocked if and when you interact with it.
What is a Breaker Box?
Every home has at least one rectangular metal box with switches that controls electricity for various portions of a house. Usually when something trips on the box, it’s because of an electrical surge. The shutdown happens to help prevent damage to the entire electrical system and to prevent electrical fires.
There’s usually one main switch on the electrical box that controls all power in a home. Smaller switches, called circuit breakers, control other electrical circuits. Circuit breakers are linked to the oven, water heater, electrical outlets, and more. Most homes include a single breaker box, which often is found in the basement, or else a storage area, garage, hallway, or even outside.
Always turn off the main breaker on the breaker box when you’re doing work on a house’s electrical system. It should also be flipped when flooding occurs and standing water may gather, which will prevent life-threatening shocks. If you’re just changing a lightbulb, you can switch off the circuit breaker in the area where you’re doing work.
Contact a Professional
If your breaker box keeps tripping and you can’t figure out why, it’s a good idea to contact a professional electrician. Remember to never undertake electrical jobs on your own if you lack the training, tools, and/or experience. If you are looking for an electrician in Owings Mills or the greater Baltimore, contact Tim Kyle Electric. No job is too small. We give 100% to every light bulb change, just as we do to a remodeling or rewiring project