Circuit Breakers and Fuse Boxes

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Professional Circuit Breaker & Fuse Box Services for Chicagoland

When breakers continue to trip after they have been reset, there might not be enough power to run your home. If your home needs more power overall, you’ll need the services of a professional electrician to upgrade the electrical system. This process might entail installing a new fuse box/breaker panel, new wiring and a new electrical meter. If you’ve been having recurring problems with your fuse box, our professional electricians are ready to provide options for repair or replacement.

We can help with:

• Circuit Breaker Installation
• Breaker Panel Installation
• Breaker Panel Upgrades
• Fuse Box Installation
• Fuse Box Upgrades

What is the Difference Between a Fuse Box and a Breaker Panel?

A fuse box or a breaker panel (also known as a circuit breaker panel or distribution board) are both essential components for a home’s electrical supply system. They distribute your electrical power feed into accessible multiple circuits. A fuse box (or fuse panel) is generally found in older homes. It features fuses that contain a filament that melts when there is a circuit overload. The fuse must be thrown away and replaced when completely blown out. The more modern breaker panels provide circuit breakers for each circuit in the home. The circuit breakers “trip” when there is a circuit overload, which are easily reset (unlike fuses that must be changed out). Both fuse boxes and breaker panels are viable electrical safety vehicles, though breaker panels are more efficient and easier to maintain.

Why Do Breakers Trip?

A circuit breaker is designed to trip (shut off) and turn off power when any of the following situations occur:

• Overloaded Circuit
• Short Circuit
• Ground Fault

An overloaded circuit is the most common reason for a breaker to trip. When the amperage rating (the measure of the electrical current) exceeds the value labeled on the breaker, it will shut down the whole circuit. More serious reasons for a tripped breaker are a short circuit or a ground fault, both of which are difficult to diagnose. A short circuit occurs when a “hot” wire and a “neutral” wire touch each other.

This causes a large amount of current to flow – causing the fuse to blow. A ground fault occurs when the “hot” wire comes into contact with the ground wire or grounded part of an appliance or device. Similar to a short circuit, large amounts of current are forced to flow through the fuse/circuit breaker, causing it to shut off. Both causes are more difficult to diagnose and could signal a serious electrical problem.

How to Reset a Tripped Breaker

Circuit breakers are designed to be easily reset. If one trips because of a short circuit, just follow these simple steps:

• Locate the Breaker Box – This will most likely be located in your utility room near the furnace and water heater. Some boxes are located in the garage.
• Find the Flipped Circuit Breaker Switch – This will be the switch that has flipped “off” or is in between the “on” and “off” sides. Some designs have a red window that signals when the breaker has been tripped.
• Flip the Switch On – Push the switch to the full “off” position first and then push it back to “on.” You will hear a “click” when the switch is back on and the power in that tripped circuit should be returned.
• Restored Power – Once power has been restored to the circuit, all effected electrical devices should be operational.

Schedule an Appointment or Call BeeZee Electrical Services at 847-816-9515 today for all your circuit breaker panel and fuse box needs!