A circuit breaker is an electrical safety device that automatically interrupts power flow when it detects an overload or short circuit, preventing fires and equipment damage. Unlike older fuses that must be replaced after tripping, breakers can simply be reset. Every home and building has a breaker panel (electrical panel) containing multiple breakers controlling different circuits. When a breaker trips (switches off), it indicates something drew too much power or a fault occurred in that circuit. Understanding your breaker panel helps safely reset tripped circuits and identify electrical problems. Breakers are sized to match the wiring they protect.