A circuit breaker is an automatically-operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit.  Its basic function is to detect a fault condition and, by interrupting continuity, to immediately discontinue electrical flow.  Unlike a fuse, which operates once and then has to be replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset (either manually or automatically) to resume normal operation.

An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) is a circuit breaker designed to prevent fires detecting a non-working (i.e., non-intended / non-useful) electrical arc and disconnect the power before the arc starts a fire.  An AFCI should, but may not always, distinguish between a working arc that may occur in the brushes of a vacuum cleaner, on operation of a light switch, on insertion / removal of a plug into an electrical receptacle, or during the operation of other household devices and a non-working arc that can occur, for example a lamp cord that has a broken conductor in the cord from overuse.  Arc faults in a home are one of the leading causes for household fires.

Every once in a while an arc fault breaker may trip due to an arc caused by an appliance or other electrical device.  If this occurs, reset the breaker.  If it continues to happen, contact us and we will help you troubleshoot the problem or schedule a service appointment.