What should be done with circuit breakers if tripped?

• A. Do not reset them.
• B. Reset them immediately.
• C. Switch off the main power.
• D. Replace the breaker.

Answer: (A)

When a circuit breaker trips, it signals a fault or overload on that circuit. Re-energizing the circuit without checking what caused the trip can re-ignite the problem, leading to overheating, arcing, fire, or equipment damage and exposing you to shock. The safest approach is not to reset the breaker until you’ve isolated the power and identified and addressed the cause of the trip, ensuring it’s safe to restore power. This often means turning off the affected circuit, inspecting the wiring and devices connected to it, and only resetting once you’re confident the fault is cleared. Replacing the breaker or resetting immediately without investigation doesn’t address the underlying fault and could allow the dangerous condition to recur.