How can i tell which circuit breaker is bad?


Question:there are some outlets not working

Answers:
Check your breaker box. The one not working may be tripped. If so, the switch will be facing in the opposite direction as all the others. If it is, just switch it into the same direction as the others and maybe that is all you will need to do. Otherwise, you could go through the house and switch lights, appliances, and outlets and have someone at the breaker box flip each switch on/off and label which circuit breaker goes to which areas. When you figure it out, label the breaker. Number the breakers, and on the box door, write the number and list the areas of the house (specifically) to where the power goes.

Another way is to test for a faulty breaker and then replace it. Here is a website to explain how to do that: BE CAREFUL! And if you don't know what you are doing, hire a professional.
http://www.electrical-online.com/replaci...

One more question, the outlets that are not working... .if they have a GFI (ground fault interruptor) built in, they may be tripped. If they have that, you will see a little "test" button on the outlet itself. Just push that in so it re-sets. Then see if there is power in the outlet. If it has power, great. If it has power but then trips immediately again, there may be a short somewhere, or moisture in an outlet.

That's all I can think of right now.

P.S. I know I'm a woman but don't hold that against me. I'm pretty handy around the house because of a Mr. Fix-it husband and years ago I used to work at a hardware store.


it will not reset!
The breaker will by tripped and by that I mean it will say off. Above answer is partly right but some times the breaker can be reset and still have a fault in the circuit.
Typically when a breaker pops it will show a sliver of red next to the reset lever. As the previous person said it will also not reset. you will have to flip it off then on to get it to do so.

Also...is there the chance that the outlets are controled by a wall switch? Good Luck
Your local hardware store should have a cheap tester that you can plug directly into the outlet. If it is working then it will light up. Generally there are several outlets on one circuit breaker. You can use trial and error by eliminating which ones are good and which ones are bad with this method. Also on homes some outlets, especially in the bathroom have a trip in case the outlet or hairdryer becomes overheated. This breaker is connected directly to the socket and has a red reset switch. Just push it in to reset. Otherwise you may want to contact a certified electrician to track down your problem.
yoiaa
AC voltmeter place one prob on the netural bar and the other on each breaker to see if there is 120V on each .

if one does not have 120 and if flipping it back on and off and you still get no reading replace breaker.

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