How to Properly Reset a GFCI Breaker
Safely reset your GFCI breaker. Understand trip causes and critical troubleshooting steps when the circuit fails to hold.
Yes, you can reset a GFCI circuit breaker yourself, but it's important to do it safely and correctly. A GFCI, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, is a crucial safety device designed to protect you from electrical shock. When a GFCI trips, it means it has detected an imbalance in the electrical current, which could indicate a dangerous situation.
When a GFCI trips, the “RESET” button will often pop out, or the outlet may appear dead, meaning no power is flowing to it or any connected outlets on the same circuit. A GFCI circuit breaker looks similar to a standard circuit breaker but will also have “TEST” and “RESET” buttons, usually on the face of the breaker itself in your electrical panel.
Flip the circuit breaker to the “ON” position. When doing this, stand to the side of the breaker box (to avoid possible sparks), and ensure your hands and the surface you are standing on are dry. Press the “RESET” button on the GFCI outlet and try turning on the attached device.
Plug the rest of your devices into the outlets on the circuit one at a time so you don't overload the circuit. If your GFCI outlet trips again and you lose power to the outlets, you may be plugging too many things into the circuit. If nothing turns on when you plug it in, then you may have to reset the breaker.
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