How to Repair a Broken Circuit Breaker

Your circuit breaker may need to be replaced due to the addition of a new appliance such as a stove, dryer, heater or air conditioner. These items may be pulling all of the electricity to function. You may notice that when you replace the circuit breaker, it may go out again. You may need to add an additional circuit breaker to protect the new one. Replacing a circuit breaker is fast and easy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flashlight
• Screwdriver

1. Clean and dry your hands before you begin working on the circuit breaker box.

2. Turn off all circuit breakers to the house to begin work.

3. Reset the circuit breaker and watch what happens. If one or more breakers trip immediately, then you may have a short in a switch. Replace the switch by getting one with the exact same amperage from your local hardware store.

4. Turn on each of the circuit breakers one at a time, and watch what happens. If you notice that one particular breaker trips every time you flip on another breaker, you might have a short circuit in some fixture that's controlled by that particular circuit breaker switch.

5. Watch what happens with each switch while you turn them all on. If nothing happens while you turn each one on, then the problem actually lies with the appliance in question and not the circuit breaker.

6. Unscrew a broken circuit breaker to replace it, and put a new one in its place. Turn on all the circuit breakers once again to test it.

Tips & Warnings

• When removing or inserting a new fuse, never touch the metal parts of the fuse.
• Consult an electrician immediately if you have replaced the fuse and it blows again. There may be faulty wiring.
• Do not attempt to replace the fuse if any area near your fuse box is damp. You should then call an electrician immediately.