Circuit Breaker Replacement & Repair in Webster, NY

Problems in a home’s electrical system could lead to anything from flickering lights to shocks or fires. Circuit breakers help protect your home from these issues, and in the Webster area, you can expect to find a combination of standard, GFCI, and AFCI breakers.

When you need a circuit breaker installed, repaired, or replaced, contact Lon Lockwood Electric. We serve homes in Webster and Rochester, and we offer a full range of electrical services.

Our company is Eaton-certified, and we offer top-rated customer service that has earned us an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an Angi Super Service Award.

The Different Types of Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers are designed to protect your home and your family from electrical faults that could cause injuries or death from electrocution, as well as fires caused by overloaded circuits or poor connections.

The four most common types of circuit breakers include:

• Standard circuit breakers: These will automatically shut off a circuit when a direct short between the live wire and neutral wire is detected or when the total load exceeds the breaker’s rating for more than a few seconds. They’re available in single-pole varieties to power 120-volt circuits and double-pole models to feed 240-volt circuits.
• GFCI breakers: GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. This type of breaker will trip due to short circuits, overloads, or when it detects a ground fault, which means the current isn’t flowing back through the neutral like normal, but through an alternate path to ground. These are installed in wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens, where if there’s a ground fault, the moisture in the area could make it easy for someone to serve as the path to ground, creating an electrocution risk.
• AFCI breakers: AFCI stands for arc fault circuit interrupter, and this type of breaker will trip due to shorts, overloads, or when it detects arcing in a circuit, such as a loose wire on an outlet or switch, which could lead to overheating and fires.
• Dual-function breakers: These breakers combine the function of a GFCI and an AFCI in one unit, protecting the circuit from shorts, overloads, ground faults, and arcing.

Call (585) 766-4702 to schedule a circuit breaker installation in the Webster or Rochester area.

Circuit Breaker Troubleshooting Tips

Most often, circuit breakers will trip or shut off due to an overload. This occurs when you have too many devices plugged in and operating on one circuit, with a total current draw that exceeds the breaker’s rating, typically 15 or 20 amps for a standard 120-volt circuit.

A short circuit can also cause the breaker to trip, as well as ground faults or arcing. To determine the extent of the problem, follow these troubleshooting tips:

• Determine which breaker tripped: When a circuit breaker trips, the switch will usually snap to an intermediate location between “On” and “Off.” Look at the breakers in your main breaker box to find the one in the middle position or with a red marking in the indicator window.
• Reset the breaker: Sometimes, a momentary spike in power usage, like a motor starting up, will trip the breaker. If you reset the breaker by turning it off and then back on, and it doesn’t trip again, that was probably the cause.
• Check for overloads: If the breaker trips soon after you turn it back on, within a few minutes or a few hours, you likely have too many devices operating on that circuit. Unplug one or more to reduce the current draw. Consider an electrical panel upgrade to ensure you have the capacity needed.
• Check for shorts: If the breaker trips as soon as you turn it back on, there’s likely a major fault, like a short circuit or a damaged breaker. Leave the circuit off and call a professional for circuit breaker repairs.
• Reset the GFCI or AFCI: If a GFCI or AFCI breaker trips, reset it as normal. If it continues to trip, call a professional. There may be a wiring fault, or you may need a circuit breaker replacement, as these breakers have a limited service life.

Call (585) 766-4702 to schedule a circuit breaker replacement.

Hire a Professional for Circuit Breaker Inspections & Maintenance

To keep your home and your electrical system as safe as possible, it’s important to have your breaker box inspected and maintained every few years.

Only a professional has the necessary equipment to test your breakers properly. These tests can include:

• A visual inspection of the breakers
• Mechanical checks to ensure proper mounting, terminal tightness, and breaker function
• Load testing to ensure breaker trips during overload condition
• Timing tests to ensure a breaker reacts to faults quickly enough
• Resistance testing to verify the integrity of wiring insulation

Schedule Electrical Service With Lon Lockwood

Considering how essential your electrical system is to your everyday life, it’s important to have your circuit breakers installed, serviced, and repaired only by the most qualified professionals.

Lon Lockwood is New York’s most trusted electricians. We’re a family-owned and -operated company with extensive training for all our electricians, full licensing and insurance, excellent financing options, and top-quality services backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

All calls are answered by a real person, and we’ll arrive on time and ready to help.

For all your circuit breaker needs in Webster, trust Lon Lockwood. Call (585) 766-4702 to schedule an electrical service today.