Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you avoid unnecessary service charges and inconvenient power outages. As always, if you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to call Tuthill Electric!

How to reset a circuit breaker

When a circuit breaker trips, the handle goes to a halfway point.  But don't be fooled, sometimes the handle doesn't go all the way to the center.  A good panel schedule is a great help at this point, if you don't have an accurate schedule this is a good opportunity to start.

In order to reset the breaker to restore power, push the handle to the OFF position then return it to the ON position.  This particular procedure is responsible for many service calls to electricans that are "unnecessary."  If you try this and the breaker continues to trip, then it's time to call Tuthill Electric!

Resetting a GFCI receptacle

Ground fault circuit interrupter receptacles should be located in: kitchens, bathrooms, unfinished basements, garages, outdoors, as well as any locations near water ie hot tubs, and jacuzzi tubs.  If there is a power loss in any of these areas and the circuit breakers are not tripped, check for GFCI receptacles.

The buttons in the center of the outlet are labeled test and reset.  To reset the device push the reset button, if power doesn't return and the breaker isn't tripped its time to call Tuthill Electric.  These devices can also be wired to protect standard outlets.  If these locations have standard outlets and no power, check for GFCI receptacles in other areas that may protect the receptacle.  Some GFCI outlets next to the main load center protect bathroom, garage, kitchen outlets, etc.  Another common situation is a GFCI outlet on the front or rear of a house protecting its counterpart on either the front or back of the house.  

Resetting a garbage disposal

On the bottom of a garbage disposal there is a small usually square button that pops out to protect the motor from burning out.  Depressing this button usually restores the disposal to normal.  If this doesn't reset the disposal there is a screw in the center of the unit that accepts a 1/4" allen wrench.  Insert the wrench and spin it to help manually break up any debris that may be "freezing" up the disposal.  If after the reset button, allen wrench, and circuit breaker do not restore power to the garbage disposal it may need to be replaced or it may be time to call Tuthill Electric!