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DIY guideBreaker panel

Power out in part of the house: work out how much is dead

One outlet, one room or half the house? Work out how much is off, check the GFCIs and the breakers, and know when it's the utility's.

  • 10 to 20 min
  • 6 steps
  • Every step animated
Power out in part of the house: work out how much is dead: the animation’s first picture

6 steps

Tap a step to watch it again.

  1. Walk round with a lamp or a phone charger. Try the outlets and lights, and note what works and what doesn't.

  2. Look for a wall switch near it: some outlets are switched. Flip it and try again.

  3. Find the outlets with TEST and RESET buttons in the kitchen, bathrooms, garage and outside, and press RESET firmly. One can cut others.

  4. At the panel, find a breaker out of line with the rest. Push it fully off, then back on, once.

    Dry hands and a dry floor. Open the panel's outer door only.

  5. Half the house out, or lights that dim and brighten, can be the utility's side. Check if the neighbours are out, and call the utility.

  6. A breaker or GFCI that trips again right away, a burning smell or a warm outlet: leave it off and ask Handyman for an electrician.

What you need

  • A lamp or a phone charger
  • A flashlight

Call a pro if

  • A breaker or GFCI trips again as soon as you reset it
  • A burning smell, a warm outlet or a scorch mark
  • Lights dim and brighten, and the utility says it's not theirs

Handyman says: Leave it off. I'll find an electrician.

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