I have a circuit breaker switch that is tripped and I cannot reset it. It keeps tripping. I have checked all the lights in every room in the house and have power. I have not checked all the outlets, but if the CB is tripped the lights in the room shouldn't come on. I've checked my GFI outlets as well. Is it possible to still have power if a breaker is defective?

There is no rule saying the lights and the outlets have to be on the same circuit. In many cases it makes sense that they are different.

It could be a sump pump or something.

In your free time, label the breakers.

Yes you can have a faulty breaker
I have worked on many split bus panels i.e... federal pacific, zynsco etc
Where I have found breakers with hole blown in the side of them and still working
As well assome that have looked fine and have been set to the off position and still be energized

760m95g - Go to the ,electrical dept, at Lowe's and get you a electrical tester pen
It looks just likle a pen ,you can carry it in your shirt pocket just like a ballpoint pen ;
They are not very expensive at all , they run about $ 14.00, And anything that has electricety in it it will pick it up fast with a chirping sound and a little red light starts blinking . You could take it and put the pen close to the wire comeing off the breaker that is tripped and find out quick if there is power on that circuit or not , Breakers do do what you and the other have said ,BUT ARE YOU SURE THAT YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT Circuit BREAKERFOR THE CIRCUIT THAT YOU ARE Having TROUBLE WITH < THERE IS A POSSIBLE CHANCH THAT YOU HAVE MORE THEN JUST ONE BREAKER TRIPPED AND THERE IS STILL POWER ONM THE CIRCUIT THAT GOES TO THE CIRCUIT YOU REALLY NEED TO TURN OFF :: Both of them above gave you some good advise , Have a nice day and a safe one
And GOD BLESS >> F.B.E.

If the breaker is tripped and will not reset the breakeer is bad and must be changed The question is what made the breaker trip!! Remove the breaker and get one that is a match or one which will fit your panel.

I'm sorry I reread your question and you are able to reset the breaker ? Then the breaker may not be bad at all ,your missing something on the circuit which you have not checked, a receptacle outside that has water in it if the gfic is tripped, a switched receptacle , normanly in a house one item is not put on it's own circuit .

Old thread, now closed.