Never touch damaged equipment
Do not reset anything if you see sparks, smell burning, hear buzzing, feel heat, or see water near the panel or outlet.
Homeowner how-to
Homeowner How-To: Reset Breakers & GFCI Outlets
A simple guide for Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Brevard County homeowners on resetting a tripped breaker or GFCI outlet safely.
Start with safety
Keep hands and footing dry
Stand on a dry surface and make sure your hands are dry before touching a breaker panel or GFCI outlet.
One reset attempt only
If a breaker or GFCI immediately trips again, leave it off and call a licensed electrician. Repeated resets can create a fire or shock risk.
How to reset a tripped breaker
Turn off and unplug
Turn off lights and unplug appliances on the affected circuit. This reduces the load before you reset it.
Find the tripped breaker
Open the panel door and look for a breaker that is sitting between ON and OFF, or is labeled as tripped.
Push fully to OFF
Firmly move the breaker all the way to the OFF position first. It must reset before it can turn back on.
Move it back to ON
Push the breaker firmly to ON. Restore items one at a time and stop if it trips again.
How to reset a GFCI outlet
GFCI outlets protect against shock in areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, garages, outdoors, and laundry rooms. One GFCI can protect several outlets downstream.
Unplug what is connected
Unplug devices from the outlet and from nearby outlets that may have lost power.
Press RESET
Press the RESET button on the face of the GFCI outlet until it clicks. If the button will not stay in, check the breaker panel.
Test power safely
Use the outlet normally after it resets. If it will not reset, trips again, or has no power, contact a licensed electrician.
A dead outlet can be a warning sign
A dead outlet is not always a simple inconvenience. It can point to a loose wire, damaged connection, failed receptacle, or another wiring issue that could create a shock or fire hazard. Do not remove the cover or try to repair the outlet yourself—call a licensed electrician to inspect it safely.
When to call Ample Power Electric
Call for help if a breaker or GFCI keeps tripping, you notice heat, buzzing, burning odors, discolored outlets, water exposure, or you are not sure which circuit is affected.
Electrical Contractor License # ES12002542