ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE & PROBLEMS
Circuit Breakers
A circuit breaker is a overload switch for your electrical system. A circuit breaker (or a fuse in older homes) is designed to prevent electric lines from carrying too much electricity and possibly overheating and catching fire. As a safety feature the breaker will reset if there is too much current being pulled (like too many things plugged into a circuit). Each breaker is designed for a specific device or portion of the house. By switching off the main breaker you will cut off power from the whole house. (As a precaution, if you change breakers or do any rewiring you should also turn off the power at the pole.)
Modern breakers have 3 positions:
ON power is flowing through circuit.\
OFF Power is shut off and not flowing
TRIPPED A midway position after the circuit is overloaded and off.
To restore power to a tripped circuit, remove the overload by switching off extra appliances like lights, popcorn popper's or whatever. Move the breaker to the off position then firmly press back to on. if your breaker keeps tripping that indicates a problem. if removing items from the circuit does not fix the problem something is wrong. call a electrician!!
Power failures
Here are a few tips for when there is a prolonged power failure.
Turn off or disconnect all appliances of fixtures, leaving a lamp or radio on to alert you as to when power is restored.
Open the Refrigerator as seldom as possible. Food will stay frozen up to 48 hours in a fully loaded freezer that is kept closed.
If a blackout occurs during the winter close off the colder rooms and confine activities to warmer more insulated rooms.
To prevent freezing of your pipes turn on the faucets to a trickle and flush toilet periodically.
Keep emergency supplies handy. Store candles, matches, fresh batteries, flashlights, and a transistor radio in an area accessible to all occupants. ( I would also suggest a couple of disposable lighters)