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How to Flip a Tripped Breaker

Occasionally, if many power tools on the same circuit are in use at once, a breaker might be tripped. The outlets in the shop are labeled with the number of the circuit breaker that feeds them.

The breaker box has a padlock on it. The key to the bathroom also unlocks that lock.

The breaker box is located on the north wall of the garage; the auxiliary box for the tool library is on the right hand side.

  • Locate the tripped breaker in the box. The switch may not look fully “off”.

  • Switch it fully off (this is important!)

  • Switch it back on.

  • Please fill out this form to track which breaker tripped and under what circumstances.

If someone is trying to cut a large piece of wood, particularly on the table saw, it may cause the motor to overheat. Overheating motors can draw more current, which can cause a cycle of tripping the circuit again.

Consider asking anyone using tools on the circuit to take a break for 10-15 minutes so they can cool off. For the table saw, it may also help to run the saw without putting anything through it so the motor can spin the fan and cool itself off.