What to Do When the Circuit Breaker is On But There's No Power

Finding yourself in a situation where the circuit breaker is flipped on but there is still no power can be frustrating and concerning. However, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to get to the bottom of the issue and restore electricity.

Check the Circuit Breaker Box Thoroughly

The first place to start is at the circuit breaker box. Check the following:

• Ensure the main breaker is flipped completely to the "On" position. Sometimes it can appear to be on when it is not fully engaged.
• Check for any individual breakers that have tripped to the "Off" position. Flick them fully Off and then back On again to reset.
• Inspect for any signs of damage, corrosion, or faulty breakers. Test suspect breakers by turning them Off and back On.
• Verify the circuit breaker size matches the amp rating for the circuit wire size. An undersized breaker can trip repeatedly.

If resetting the main and individual breakers does not restore power, there may be an underlying issue along the circuit.

Thoroughly Inspect Electrical Outlets and Wiring

With the breaker on, go room to room to check all outlets and wiring along the affected circuit. Look for the following warning signs:

• Loose, damaged, or burnt outlet or switch wiring. This can indicate a bad connection or short.
• Test outlets with a voltage tester or multimeter to confirm power or voltage loss.
• Discolored or warm outlets may signal an unsafe electrical overload issue.
• Evaluate the condition of all outlets, switches, and cover plates.

Faulty wiring and connections can cause intermittant power loss when the circuit is under heavy load. Check wiring thoroughly before the issue causes a fire risk.

How to Test Wiring for Shorts and Faults

To thoroughly test wiring, use a multimeter set to AC voltage mode. Check hot to neutral, hot to ground, and neutral to ground. Any reading between hot and ground or neutral and ground indicates a short. Open any suspect outlets and junction boxes to visually inspect connections. Look for loose wires, damaged insulation, signs of overheating, or incorrect wire splicing. Use a continuity setting on the multimeter to test for intact neutral and ground paths back to the panel. Faulty wiring must be repaired or replaced before resetting the breaker to avoid a fire hazard.

Confirm External Power is Operating Properly

Before delving deeper into your own electrical system, contact your utility company to check if there are regional outages or grid issues. You should also inspect the following exterior components:

• Check connections at the weatherhead mast where the service entrance wires meet overhead lines.
• Examine the meter base and lugs to ensure tight and corrosion-free connections.
• Inspect the condition of the service entrance wires from weatherhead to panel.
• Consider recent electrical storms, damage, or construction activity nearby.

Ruling out external power interferences will help focus troubleshooting on your residence's internal electrical system.

When to Call the Utility Company

Contact your electrical utility provider if you notice any of the following signs of potential service issue:

• Flickering lights, dimming, or reduced brightness in the home
• TV, computer, or appliance screens or clocks blinking or resetting
• Exterior utility transformer or pole damage, noises, or arcing
• Smell of burning or smoke coming from outside or at the meter

The utility provider can check connections, transformers, and supply lines for faults and correct any external factors limiting power delivery to your home.

Check for Faulty Devices and Overloaded Circuits

An overloaded circuit that is nearing its ampacity rating can sometimes trigger the breaker even when it is switched on. To test for this possibility:

• Unplug devices one at a time along the circuit to check if power is restored.
• Consider high electricity draw appliances like air conditioners, space heaters, or dryers on the affected circuit.
• Verify total wattage of devices does not exceed the circuit breaker amp rating.

Faulty devices with short circuits or wiring issues can also trip breakers. Check appliance power cords and plugs for damage or heat signs.

How to Calculate Electrical Load on a Circuit

Add up the wattages of all lighting, appliances, and devices connected to the circuit. Refer to appliance wattage ratings printed near the plug or in manuals. For lighting, use bulb wattage x quantity. Compare the total wattage to the breaker amp rating x 120 volts. For example, a 20 amp breaker can safely support 2400 watts. If your load exceeds 80-90% of the circuit capacity, redistributing devices or adding a circuit may be needed.

Diagnose Underlying Electrical Faults

If you've checked the breaker box, wiring, devices, and external power without identifying the cause, the issue may stem from:

• Short circuits - where hot and neutral wires touch, tripping the breaker.
• Ground faults - where current is leaking through unsafe paths to ground.
• Damaged wiring insulation exposing bare copper.
• Corroded connections causing resistance and heat buildup.
• Bundled neutral wires overheating when overloaded.

Pinpointing hidden electrical faults requires testing with a multimeter, understanding circuit schematics, and safety know-how. Consider calling an electrician if you suspect underlying issues.

Warning Signs of Electrical System Faults

Be alert for the following subtle yet serious signs of potential electrical faults:

• Wall outlets or switch plates that are warm to the touch
• Fuses that blow or breakers that trip frequently
• Lights that flicker in some rooms but not others
• Buzzing, sizzling, or cracking from outlets
• Burning or rubbery odor from receptacles or devices
• Tingling sensation when touching metal surfaces

These could indicate unsafe conditions like arc faults or ground faults and should be addressed immediately.

When to Call a Professional Electrician

While basic breaker troubleshooting is doable for many homeowners, it's best to call a licensed electrician for the following scenarios:

• You see smoke, burning smells, or evidence of fire risk.
• Electrical issues are complex, involve multiple circuits, or are difficult to isolate.
• The panel or wiring appears damaged, faulty, or incorrectly configured.
• You lack the right safety gear and electrical testing knowledge.
• The issue stems from a major incident like a lightning strike or flood.

Reputable electrical contractors have the expertise, equipment, and certifications to accurately diagnose and safely repair electrical faults. They can also handle panel upgrades and additions if circuits are overloaded.

Questions to Ask a Prospective Electrician

When hiring an electrician, ask the following questions:

• Are you licensed and insured to work in my area?
• How many years of experience do you have?
• Do you provide detailed quotes and invoices?
• What diagnostics will you perform?
• How soon can you start and finish the job?

A qualified electrician will provide documentation, explain work to be done, give fair pricing, identify safety issues, and make repairs efficiently and correctly.

Prevent Future Occurrences

While circuit breakers themselves rarely fail, you can take proactive measures to prevent nuisance tripping and outages:

• Label each circuit clearly so you can quickly isolate issues when they arise.
• Add dedicated circuits for large appliances like AC units, heaters, and laundry machines.
• Upgrade to a higher amperage panel if needed to handle increased electrical load.
• Perform maintenance like tightening connections, cleaning dust, and checking insulation.
• Watch for warning signs like frequently tripped breakers, flickering lights, or unusually warm outlets.

With smart electrical load balancing and proactive system maintenance, you can minimize the chances of finding yourself with a circuit breaker on but no power.

Proper Electrical Panel and Breaker Maintenance

It's recommended to periodically:

• Clean dust buildup inside the panel box and on breakers.
• Check for signs of overheating on breakers or bus bars.
• Confirm breakers are properly seated and labeled.
• Ensure the interior and breaker face remain dry and free of moisture.
• Check for any corroded connections that require replacement.
• Have an electrician verify proper wire terminations are tight.

Preventive panel maintenance ensures reliable power delivery and uptime.

Having a circuit breaker on yet still experiencing a power outage can certainly be mystifying. While frustrating, this issue can usually be resolved through methodical troubleshooting and safety checks.

Focus first on resetting and verifying the breaker box operation. Then inspect connected outlets and wiring for faults. Rule out external grid issues, overloaded circuits, and faulty devices. For complex underlying electrical issues, don't hesitate to call a professional for assistance.

When faced with a circuit breaker that seems to be malfunctioning, you can safely restore power and get back to normal with the right precautions.