Problems and More Problems
A few other causes may include a frayed cord on a countertop appliance, too many appliances plugged into the same outlet, loose wires on the outlet itself, or something shorted out. Try unplugging all of the devices that are being fed on that particular circuit. This may include more than one outlet on your countertop.
Check the outlet with a voltmeter to see if indeed the circuit is off. Now, try resetting the breaker. If the circuit trips again, you may have a serious wiring problem. But if it stays on and clears, you know it is not in your wiring. In this case, turn the circuit back off and try plugging one device at a time into the outlet. Turn the circuit on again and repeat until you find the problem device or cord. In the case of fuses, you may have to sacrifice a few fuses for the good of the investigation.
Digging Deeper
As you can see, many things can cause the problem. The key is finding which thing. A good rule of thumb is not to be scared of electricity, just respect it!
If you are not comfortable digging any deeper into a circuit problem, then you should call an electrician to the rescue. A simple short circuit today can lead to costly repairs later. Don’t put off either finding the problem yourself or calling a professional. The house you save may be your own!
