Pretty much everyone has experienced a power outage at some point. If your lights or TV suddenly shut off, you’ll probably first check your circuit breaker to see which one has tripped. However, what happens if the circuit breaker is not tripped but there is no power?
What explains the outage then? To help you out, the team at ESD LLC is here to explain what it means when the power is out but the breaker is not tripped.
No Power but Circuit Breaker Not Tripped— Your Explanation
If the breaker isn’t tripped, but there is no power, you might initially think the problem is with your power company. However, there are several points where your electrical system can break down.
Fuse Needs a Reset
Even if you think the problem isn’t the circuit breaker fuse, you should reset it anyway. Sometimes, a circuit breaker might be tripped even if it doesn’t look like it. If you have a remote shunt trip breaker, make sure you didn’t accidentally trigger it.
Tripped GFCI Outlet
The first thing to try is to reset the outlet to which the breaker connects. Modern GFCI outlets have a small, self-contained breaker that can trip when voltage drops or spikes. If your appliances connected to a specific outlet stop working, and the outlet breaker isn’t tripped, then it’s most likely the GFCI breaker causing the problem.
Simply press the button labeled ‘Reset,’ and the outlet should start working again. In most cases, the reset button is red, and you can find it in between the two outlet holes. If resetting the outlet doesn’t work, then there might be a problem with the GFCI breaker.
Loose Wiring
Another possible reason the power is out, but no breaker tripped, is that you have loose wiring in your home. Specifically, outlet wires can become loose, and they won’t be able to hold sufficient voltage to power any plugged-in devices. You might be able to fix the wires by tightening the outlet face plate. If the wire is frayed or damaged, you will have to replace it before you can use the outlet again.
Bad Breaker
If none of these solutions seem to work, then you might just have a bad breaker on your hand, especially if your electricity keeps dropping in and out. Below are some signs you have a bad breaker in your hands:
- Flickering lights
- Burning smell
- Smoke or sparks from the box
If you suspect you have a bad breaker, contact an electrical professional as soon as possible. Bad breakers are a fire risk, so it’s important you do not hesitate to replace them!
Get Electrical Supply and Distribution Products From ESD LLC
If the circuit breaker is not tripped, but there is still no power, you may need to replace your breaker or outlet components. ESD LLC can provide quality electrical components for a fair and competitive price. Contact us online, or give us a call today at (425) 419-4167 if you would like to learn more about our electrical supply product selection!
