Did you know that new home appliances use arc-fault protected plugs? You will typically find arc-fault protected outlets in your kitchen, bathrooms, and the exterior of your home.
Your arc-fault breaker system is designed to detect frayed electrical wires (arcs) and automatically trip to prevent power from flowing through the arc, which can otherwise start an electrical fire.
An arc-fault breaker will automatically stop power from traveling through the outlet and into your appliance’s plug. If you’re trying to use an appliance that is plugged in, turned on, but without power, it is likely due to an arc-fault breaker trip. Below we will explain how to reset an arc-fault breaker in the basement.
- If your appliance is not working while plugged in, even after you’ve changed any required lights, it is likely that your outlet sensed an arc caused by a frayed wire.
- If this is the case, your arc-fault breaker would have tripped automatically to cut the flow of power and prevent a potential electrical fire.
- Once the arc-fault breaker is tripped, you will need to reset it from the electrical panel located in the basement.
- You will be able to tell which breaker is your arc-fault breaker because it will be in the middle position once it’s tripped. All you need to do is flip it all the way off, then all the way on, which will reset the breaker.
- When the light on the breaker is on, that will indicate that it is working again.
It is important to make sure your arc-fault breaker system is working correctly to help keep your dream home safe! Here is a handy video tutorial on how to reset your arc-fault breaker next time you find yourself without power while trying to use an electrical appliance plugged that’s plugged into an arc-fault protected outlet.