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View Full Version : Safe to flip circuit breaker back on?


3rdgradeteacher
Dec 19, 2007, 09:53 PM
Light flash and very loud pop (like small explosion) came from the breaker box. One breaker was off. Not sure if it is safe to flip back on--never had that happen before when circuit was interrupted. :eek:

ceilingfanrepair
Dec 19, 2007, 10:04 PM
Sounds like something created a dead short. What were you doing when it tripped? Also, what brand is your breaker box?

3rdgradeteacher
Dec 19, 2007, 10:27 PM
Watching TV. :) The breaker was for the living room lights and receptecles (floor above me) and the outside lights and recepticles. No, the Christmas lights weren't on. But when I had plugged in my new, lighted door wreath, I thought I smelled odd burning smell--so I unplugged it. Breaker went off about a half hour later. Connection there?

Box is Bryant/Westinghouse.

Thanks

biggsie
Dec 19, 2007, 11:00 PM
Normally when a breaker trips it is best to see which devices do not work

Use your senses to look for problems, smell is usually a good test too

I would recommend unplugging or turning off everything that doesn't work

Reset the breaker and one by one try to find which one tripped it

Plug in or turn on each device one at a time till you find bad one