As a homeowner, there is a likelihood that you are familiar with your circuit breaker; however, you may lack the necessary knowledge on how to wire the circuit breaker. The wiring process is quite risky if you do not know what you are doing. As a result, you may consider hiring a professional such as an electrician to assist you.
About the Circuit Breaker Box
The circuit breaker panel is made up of switches and wires that usually distribute electricity throughout your home. The panel usually houses the main switch and the sub-switches. The little switches are known as circuit breakers, and they usually trip in case there is a hazard. The main reason why it is advisable to pay attention to the fuse trips is because you may need to repair or replace the circuit breaker.
To deal with live electricity, you must be confident. Also, you should peruse through a how-to guide. It is advisable to seek a professional’s services such as an electrician since they will handle the job well.
A Guide On How to Replace the Circuit Breaker
For starters, make sure you have an understanding of what you can and cannot touch. The following guide will come in handy.
- Before removing the circuit breaker cover, make sure the main breaker has been switched off.
- Despite switching off the breaker, the main lugs will be love.
- The main black cables are also live even after switching off the breaker. Although they are insulated, you should not touch them.
- The hot wire usually connects the circuit to the breaker, and it may be black or red. As you install the AFCI breaker, make sure the neutral wire is connected too.
- The breaker bus will funnel power to the individual circuits from the mains. All the breakers may snap onto the bus.
- To replace the square d breakers, you will need a set of different tools comprising of a cable ripper, wire strippers, the fish tape used by electricians, a level, screwdrivers, electrical tape, a hammer, a voltage tester, and a circuit breaker (make sure you know the circuit breaker model before the replacement process).
We have managed to look into the basics that you should be conversant with before replacing a circuit breaker. We will now look into how you can replace the circuit breaker:
- First, ensure the utility provider shuts down the electricity that runs to the feeder wires. You should use the voltage tester to ensure there is no power.
- The new cable should be inserted into the slugs present at the edge of the circuit breaker box. A snap-in clamp should be placed in the opening.
- Hold the cable up as you strip off the wire and remove the insulator. The wires should be wrapped loosely to ensure they will not touch the circuit breaker’s live part.
- The cable should be pushed through the clamp. It should be secured using insulated tape.
- The tab should be slipped into the hook as you install the new circuit breaker. The black and white wires should be routed carefully towards the empty space where the circuit breaker is being placed.
- Install the circuit breaker and then install the wires. The white neutral cable should then be attached to the breaker.
- Take the black and white wires and then strip off a small part of the insulation. Place the wires in the circuit breaker terminals and then tighten them.
- The ground wire should be connected to the main panel. The neutral wire should be connected to the breaker bus from the circuit breaker.
- The neutral wire should be routed to the ground. The pigtail wires should then be directed towards the vacant screws that are present on the neutral bus. They should then be tightened.
10. After following each of the above steps, install the circuit breaker cover. You will then switch on the main circuit breaker. After that, you can hit the test button.