Replacing a circuit breaker is a simple task that can be completed in a few minutes. However, it’s important to take safety precautions to avoid electrical shock. Before you start, make sure that the power to the circuit is turned off. You can do this by flipping the breaker in the main electrical panel to the “off” position.
Once the power is off, you can remove the faceplate of the electrical panel. This is usually held in place by a few screws. Once the faceplate is removed, you’ll see the circuit breakers. Circuit breakers are typically labeled, so you should be able to easily identify the one that needs to be replaced. To remove a circuit breaker, simply lift it out of the panel. You may need to use a screwdriver to loosen the screws that hold it in place.
Once the old circuit breaker is removed, you can install the new one. To do this, simply insert the new circuit breaker into the panel and tighten the screws that hold it in place. Once the new circuit breaker is installed, you can replace the faceplate of the electrical panel and turn the power back on.
Identifying the Correct Breaker
Identifying the correct circuit breaker is crucial for a successful replacement. Follow these steps to pinpoint the faulty breaker:
1. **Check the electrical panel:** Locate the main electrical panel, usually in the basement, garage, or utility room. It houses a collection of circuit breakers, each controlling a specific circuit in your home.
2. **Identify the tripped breaker:** Observe the circuit breakers and identify the one that is in the tripped position. A tripped breaker will have a switch handle that is halfway between the “on” and “off” positions. It may also have a red or orange indicator light.
3. **Determine the circuit:** Each circuit breaker is labeled with the circuit it controls, such as “Kitchen Outlets” or “Living Room Lights.” Refer to the panel diagram or circuit labels to identify the circuit associated with the tripped breaker.
4. **Confirm the amperage:** The amperage rating of the circuit breaker should match the amperage of the circuit it protects. Check the circuit labeling or use an ammeter to determine the correct amperage.
**Note:** If you are unsure about the amperage rating or the circuit controlled by a specific breaker, consult a qualified electrician.
Shutting Off the Main Power
Before you begin any electrical work, it is crucial to ensure your safety by shutting off the main power. This will prevent the risk of electrical shocks or other accidents.
Step 1: Locate the Main Breaker Panel
The main breaker panel is typically located in a readily accessible area of your home, such as the basement, garage, or utility room. It is usually a metal box with a hinged door that houses circuit breakers.
Step 2: Turn Off the Main Breaker
Once you have located the main breaker panel, open the door and identify the main breaker. The main breaker is usually larger than the other breakers and is often located at the top or bottom of the panel. It may be labeled as “MAIN” or have a handle that is different from the others.
To turn off the main breaker, simply flip the handle to the “OFF” position. This will cut off all power to your home.
Step 3: Verify that the Power is Off
To ensure that the power is indeed off, use a non-contact voltage tester to check the terminals of the main breaker. If the tester does not light up or beep, the power is successfully turned off.
Alternatively, you can turn on a light or appliance in your home. If it does not turn on, it confirms that the power is off.
Removing the Old Breaker
**1. Turn off the power to the circuit breaker panel.** This is typically done by flipping the main breaker to the “off” position. If you are not sure which breaker is the main breaker, consult the panel’s diagram or contact a qualified electrician.
**2. Remove the cover plate from the breaker panel.** This is usually done by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place. Once the cover plate is removed, you will see the circuit breakers.
**3. Locate the breaker that you want to replace.** The breakers will be labeled with the circuits that they protect. Once you have found the breaker that you want to replace, turn it off by flipping the switch to the “off” position.
**4. Pull the breaker out of the panel.** This can be done by gripping the breaker with both hands and pulling it straight out. Be careful not to touch the metal terminals on the breaker.
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If the breaker is a standard circuit breaker, it will have two metal tabs on the sides. Squeeze the tabs together and pull the breaker straight out. |
If the breaker is a GFCI breaker, it will have a test button on the front. Press the test button and then pull the breaker straight out. |
Installing the New Breaker
Step 1: Turn off the power to the breaker box. This is done by flipping the main breaker to the “off” position. If you are not sure which breaker is the main breaker, consult your electrical panel’s diagram or contact a qualified electrician.
Step 2: Remove the old breaker. Using a flat-head screwdriver, carefully pry the breaker out of the panel. Be careful not to touch any of the electrical wires.
Step 3: Install the new breaker. Insert the new breaker into the panel. Be sure to align the terminals on the breaker with the terminals on the panel. Then, push the breaker into place until it snaps into position.
Step 4: Wire the new breaker. Connect the wires to the breaker’s terminals. The wires should be stripped of about 1/2 inch of insulation. Use a screwdriver to tighten the terminal screws. The following table provides the correct size of wire that should be used with each type of breaker:
| Breaker Size (Amps) | Wire Size (AWG) |
|---|---|
| 15 | 14 |
| 20 | 12 |
| 30 | 10 |
| 40 | 8 |
| 50 | 6 |
| 60 | 4 |
| 70 | 2 |
| 80 | 1/0 |
| 90 | 2/0 |
| 100 | 3/0 |
Step 5: Turn on the power to the breaker box. Flip the main breaker back to the “on” position. The new breaker should now be functioning properly.
Turn the Main Power Back On
Once you have replaced the faulty breaker, it’s time to turn the main power back on. Here’s how to do it safely:
- Check all your work: Double-check all your connections and ensure all wires are securely fastened to the breaker terminals. Ensure the breaker is correctly seated in the electrical panel.
- Switch off all non-essential appliances and lights: When turning on the main power, it’s best to minimize the electrical load on your system. So, turn off or unplug appliances and unnecessary lights.
- Turn on the main breaker: Locate the main breaker in the electrical panel, usually labeled “Main” or “Service.” Flip it to the “On” position.
- Wait for a few seconds: Allow the electrical system to stabilize for a few seconds before proceeding.
- Turn off the main breaker at the service panel.
- Remove the faceplate covering the breaker panel.
- Locate the breakers you need to replace and label them with masking tape.
- Turn off the individual breakers you want to replace.
- Remove the wires from the old breakers, making sure to note which wires go to which terminals.
- Install the new breakers in place of the old ones, connecting the wires to the correct terminals.
- Turn on the individual breakers you replaced.
- Turn on the main breaker at the service panel.
- Check that all the circuits are working properly.
- If you’re not comfortable working with electricity, hire a qualified electrician to do the job.
- Always turn off the power before working on any electrical equipment.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses when working with electricity.
- Use a non-contact voltage tester to make sure the power is off.
- Don’t overtighten the screws when connecting the wires to the breakers.
- If you’re replacing a breaker with a higher amperage, you may need to upgrade the wires in the circuit.
- Always replace breakers with the same type and amperage rating as the old breakers.
- Keep a record of the breakers you replaced, including the date and type of breaker.
- If you have any questions or concerns, consult a qualified electrician.
- If you’re not comfortable working with electricity. Electrical work can be dangerous, and if you’re not sure what you’re doing, it’s best to leave it to a professional.
- If the circuit breaker is located in a difficult-to-reach place. If the circuit breaker is located in a crawl space or attic, or if it’s behind a heavy appliance, it’s best to call a professional.
- If the circuit breaker is not the problem. If the circuit breaker is tripping frequently, there may be a problem with the wiring or the appliance that’s connected to it. In this case, it’s best to call a professional to diagnose and fix the problem.
- If you have any questions or concerns. If you have any questions or concerns about replacing a circuit breaker, it’s always best to call a professional.
- **Locate the breaker that needs to be replaced.** The breaker panel is usually located in the basement, garage, or utility room. Once you have found the breaker panel, open the door and locate the breaker that is tripped.
- **Turn off the breaker.** To turn off a breaker, simply flip the handle to the “off” position.
- **Remove the breaker.** Once the breaker is off, you can remove it from the panel by pulling it straight out.
- **Replace the breaker.** To replace the breaker, simply insert the new breaker into the panel and push it in until it clicks into place.
- **Turn on the breaker.** Once the new breaker is in place, you can turn it on by flipping the handle to the “on” position.
- **Turn on the main power to your home.** Once the new breaker is on, you can turn on the main power to your home at the breaker panel.
- Overloading the circuit by plugging too many appliances into it
- A short circuit, which occurs when two wires touch each other
- A ground fault, which occurs when a wire touches the ground
- The breaker trips frequently
- The breaker does not trip when it should
- The breaker is hot to the touch
| Breaker Type | How to turn on |
|---|---|
| Standard breaker | Push the handle to the “On” position. |
| GFCI breaker | Press the “Reset” button on the front of the breaker. |
| AFCI breaker | Press the “Test” button, followed by the “Reset” button. |
Test the New Breaker
Once the new breaker is installed, it’s crucial to test it to ensure functionality. Here’s how to do it:
1. Turn On the Breaker: Switch the new breaker to the “ON” position.
2. Verify Power: Check if the circuit that the new breaker controls has power by turning on a light or plugging in a device.
3. Check for Tripping: If the breaker trips immediately after turning it on, there may be a short circuit or overload on the circuit. Consult an electrician.
4. Test Under Load: Run appliances or devices on the circuit to ensure the breaker can handle the load without tripping.
5. Observe for Heat: After running appliances for a while, feel the breaker panel to check if the new breaker is overheating.
6. Troubleshooting Common Issues:
| Troubleshooting Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Breaker trips frequently | Overload, short circuit | Check circuit for appliances or devices drawing excessive power |
| Breaker doesn’t trip when it should | Loose connections, faulty breaker | Inspect connections, replace breaker if necessary |
| Breaker becomes hot | Overloaded circuit, excessive heat in the panel | Reduce the load on the circuit, add additional breakers or fans to improve circulation |
7. Confirm Functionality: If the new breaker passes all the tests, it indicates successful replacement and functionality.
Safety Precautions
Before attempting to replace a breaker, it is essential to take the following safety precautions:
1. Turn off the main breaker: This will disconnect the entire electrical system from the power source.
2. Test the circuit with a non-contact voltage tester: This will ensure that the circuit is not live before you begin working.
3. Wear insulated gloves: This will protect your hands from electrical shocks.
4. Use a properly rated screwdriver: The screwdriver should be the correct size and type for the breaker you are replacing.
5. Do not touch the terminals of the breaker: These terminals are live and can cause serious injury or death if touched.
6. Do not attempt to replace a breaker if you are not qualified: If you are not confident in your ability to replace a breaker safely, it is best to call a qualified electrician.
7. Additional precautions for subpanels: If you are replacing a breaker in a subpanel, you must also take the following precautions:
a. Remove the cover of the subpanel and locate the main breaker.
b. Turn off the main breaker in the subpanel.
c. Test the circuit with a non-contact voltage tester to ensure that it is not live.
d. Wear insulated gloves and use a properly rated screwdriver to replace the breaker.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
If you’re having trouble replacing a breaker, here are some common problems you may encounter and how to fix them:
The New Breaker Won’t Fit
Make sure you have the right size breaker for your electrical panel. Breakers come in different amperages, so check the old breaker to see what amperage it is and replace it with one of the same amperage.
The Breaker Keeps Tripping
If the new breaker keeps tripping, it could be a sign of an electrical overload. Check for any loose wires or faulty appliances that may be causing the overload. If you’re not sure what’s causing the overload, call a qualified electrician.
The Breaker Won’t Turn On
If the breaker won’t turn on, it could be a problem with the breaker itself or with the electrical panel. Try turning off the main breaker and then back on again. If the breaker still won’t turn on, you may need to replace it with a new one.
The Circuit Is Still Not Working
If you’ve replaced the breaker and the circuit is still not working, there may be a problem with the wiring. Check for any loose or damaged wires and repair or replace them as needed. If you’re not sure what’s causing the problem, call a qualified electrician.
Tips for Replacing Multiple Breakers
When replacing multiple breakers, it’s important to follow these additional steps:
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips for replacing multiple breakers:
When to Call a Professional
In most cases, replacing a circuit breaker is a simple task that you can do yourself. However, there are a few situations where it’s best to call a professional electrician.
10. If You Have Any of the Following Symptoms
| Symptom | Possible Cause |
|---|---|
| Burning smell | Overheated wiring or circuit breaker |
| Sparks | Loose connection or faulty wiring |
| Flickering lights | Loose connection or overloaded circuit |
| Tripping circuit breakers | Overloaded circuit or faulty appliance |
| Electrical shock | Loose connection or damaged wiring |
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to call a professional electrician immediately.
How to Replace a Breaker
Electrical breakers are safety devices that protect your home from electrical fires. They trip when the electrical current flowing through them exceeds a safe level, interrupting the flow of electricity and preventing damage to your home and appliances.
Replacing a breaker is a relatively simple task that can be completed in a few minutes. However, it is important to take safety precautions when working with electricity. Before you begin, turn off the main power to your home at the breaker panel.
People Also Ask About How to Replace a Breaker
Why did my breaker trip?
Breakers trip when the electrical current flowing through them exceeds a safe level. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:
How do I know if a breaker is bad?
There are a few signs that a breaker may be bad:
Can I replace a breaker myself?
Yes, you can replace a breaker yourself. However, it is important to take safety precautions when working with electricity. Before you begin, turn off the main power to your home at the breaker panel.
