Replacing a circuit breaker

Video: How To Replace or Change a Circuit Breaker in your Electrical Panel & Why it’s Tripping

Content

To step
Tips
Warnings
Necessities

A circuit breaker is connected to an electrical circuit and is designed to stop the power supply if too much current is drawn from the circuit. However, these circuit breakers sometimes break, so it is good to know how to replace one. It is highly recommended that you hire a qualified, licensed, and insured electrician to perform this task as electricity can kill. The steps are explained below because some of you are reading this article just for its educational value and because some other source might give bad advice. Follow the steps to learn how to replace a circuit breaker.

To step

Find the electrical box. Some houses have 1 main electrical box as well as a smaller electrical box.
Find the broken circuit breaker. A broken circuit breaker is usually between the on and off position.
- Before assuming that the circuit breaker needs to be replaced, it's a good idea to try to reset it first. You do this by turning off all lights and unplugging all devices on that circuit. Then turn the circuit breaker back to the on position.
- Some circuit breakers need to be turned off completely before you can turn them back on.
- Test the circuit breaker by switching it to the on position and then turning the devices back on one at a time. If the lamps or devices are working normally again, a voltage meter is not necessary.
Use a voltmeter to determine if the power wire attached to the circuit breaker is live.
Turn off any other electrical boxes, and then the power.
- This should be possible by means of a large switch, above or below all other switches. This switch should be somehow marked as the master switch. The main switch usually has the highest ampere rating of all switches on the panel.
Turn off all individual circuit breakers.
Inspect the outside of the panel. If there are traces of rust, char, moisture, or other contamination, DO NOT proceed and call an electrician immediately.
Beware of certain types of panels. Not all panels are equally safe. Investigate the problem and contact an electrician for advice. Decide what to do based on the information obtained.
Use protective equipment. Wear insulated gloves and tools. Wear rubber-soled shoes and goggles and make sure you are standing on a rubber mat.
Make sure the area around you is safe. If water or any other liquid is present, do not proceed. Call a licensed electrician immediately. Also make sure there is enough space above, below, on the sides and in front of the panel.
Remove the screws from the face plate with a Phillips screwdriver. Use the left hand lever when opening the panel to avoid injury from flashover.
Read the label on the main power switch to determine what type of electrical box you have.
Inspect (without touching anything) the inside of the panel. Look for signs of rust, moisture, vermin, loose wiring, melted wiring, discoloration, charring and heat damage, as well as seeing multiple wires under one screw, aluminum wiring, wiring with damaged insulation, old wiring, strange modifications, dirt and see wires of different colors connected together. If you see any of these things back, or come across some other strange situation, don't go any further. Call a licensed, qualified, and insured electrician.
At the broken circuit breaker, loosen the screws with the wires underneath.
Remove the circuit breaker from the panel.
Discard the old circuit breaker.
Replace the old circuit breaker with a new one. The replacement breaker must have the same amperage and be of the same type as the old one. Place the new circuit breaker on the panel, in the same location as the old one.
Connect the wires to the new circuit breaker exactly as they were connected to the old one.
Tighten the screws. Don't tighten them too tightly, but don't let them sit too loose either.
Replace the front cover of the panel. If original screws are missing, replace them with FLAT MACHINE SCREWS. Using pointed screws (for wood) can damage the wiring in the panel.
Turn the power back on, followed by the individual circuit breakers.

Tips

Someone may need to hold a flashlight for you while you replace the circuit breaker. Many electrical cabinets are in dark places, such as in the basement or in a closet.
If the circuit breaker you are about to replace is an RCD or surge protector, as is sometimes used for outdoor, bedroom, garage, or bathroom circuits, make sure to replace it with a switch of the same type.

Warnings

If the new circuit breaker does not remain closed and / or behaves differently from the original breaker, turn off the power and contact a qualified, licensed and insured electrician.
NEVER touch the cable lugs in the panel. They remain live even when the power is turned off.
If you cannot find the main power switch, do not try to remove the circuit breaker or work on the panel. Contact an electrician.
Do not replace a circuit breaker with a breaker of greater amperage. This can cause overloading of the wiring, which is very dangerous.
If you don't feel comfortable, unsafe, or insecure, STOP. Call a licensed, qualified, and insured electrician. Better to spend a little more money on professional repairs than to risk death, serious injury, and / or property damage. Remember: When in doubt, call an electrician!
DO NOT attempt to access the utility box, underground wiring / overhead line, or other equipment owned by the utility company. Call the company if their equipment needs maintenance.
DO NOT attempt to replace the main circuit breaker yourself. Call a licensed, qualified, and insured electrician to do this.
NEVER work alone. Have someone observe so that he / she can call for help if something goes wrong.