Detailed Instructions for Replacing the Circuit Breaker

The circuit breaker protects the wiring of your electrical system. It trips if the flow of power exceeds its safety limit. Eventually, these breakers need to be replaced. Changing one is simple, but it requires some skills and tools. First, turn off any appliances connected to the faulty circuit breaker. Using a strip of painter’s tape, mark the breaker to keep it easy to find later.

Remove the Panel Cover

Although breakers may be changed, they are not designed to be fixed. It has to be replaced if it feels hot, displays burning, or smells burnt. You’ll need to remove the panel cover from your circuit breaker. It is usually a steel box with a lift-up or hinged front that allows you to access the breakers inside.

You may need a pair of pliers or a screwdriver to open the cover. You’ll need to take your time and be sure not to damage anything inside the panel.

Before removing the old breaker, test for power using your non-contact voltage tester. Locate the breaker you will terminate, and touch the tester probe to the wire connected.

If the tester does not detect voltage, you can remove the breaker.

Once you’ve removed the breaker, disengage it from the bus bar. It should happen quickly by hand, as it’s not in physical contact with the hot bus bar.

Then, grasp the edge of the breaker at the inner center part and pivot it towards the outer side of the panel. It should snap free and pull out easily. To avoid costly mistakes, consider hiring a certified electrician for the circuit breaker replacement Tyler TX.

Disconnect the Wires

Before working on your circuit breaker, disconnect the wires from the old one. Ensuring the new breaker is correctly connected to the original wire is essential.

To do this, loosen the terminal screw on the new breaker. Then place the stripped end of the wire into the slot on the breaker.

Next, bend the wire to align it with the loosened screw on the new breaker. Please ensure the wire is sandwiched between the two plates directly underneath it.

Once you have a good connection, tighten the terminal screw to secure it. Once that’s done, replace the circuit breaker in the electrical panel.

Electricity is hazardous and should not be handled around water. So, if you have to remove and reconnect the old breaker, ensure the area is arid before starting.

Remove the Old Breaker

Whether replacing your breaker for the first time or needing to replace it in preparation for an emergency, this step-by-step guide can help you get the job done correctly. Anybody with a rudimentary understanding of home electrical may finish the procedure because it is so straightforward.

Before you begin, ensure your house’s power is turned off. It will limit your chance of accidents and hazards while working on the panel box.

Next, locate the breaker you want to remove. Please turn it off by flipping its reset lever to the OFF position.

Carefully pull the circuit wire attached to the breaker free from the panel. It should be easy to do with the use of insulated pliers.

Take note of the model number and other information on the old breaker you removed. It will help you to identify the exact replacement breaker you should purchase.

Insert the New Breaker

The circuit breaker in your home is a crucial part of the electrical system that controls the power flow through your house. Its faulty condition can lead to frequent trips and other problems.

To replace a broken circuit breaker, you need first to remove the cover from the panel box and disconnect all wires. Then it would be best to find a new breaker in the same size and shape as your old one. Once you have a breaker that matches your old one, it is time to insert it into the panel. It is the most challenging step in the process, requiring you to line up the breaker with a knockout in the panel cover. Then, attach the circuit’s load wire to the terminal on the new breaker. It can be done by feeding the wire through the knockout hole and then tightening a screw on the end of it.