Circuit breakers work in two main ways. Some circuit breakers, including miniature circuit breakers and RCBOs, have a metallic strip that deflects and releases a latch to cut off the power to the circuit if there is an overload or short circuit. RCCBs and RCBOs monitor the current going in and out of an electrical circuit and cuts the power if there is an imbalance, as this means some electricity is being lost somewhere – potentially through a person.