How to Replace a Circuit Breaker Panel

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Learning how to replace an electrical circuit breaker is not all that difficult. You can also easily replace the circuit breaker within 1 hour. You will need a few common tools, usually already found in most households.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

New circuit breaker
Screwdriver

Step1

Identify the bad circuit breaker and switch off all electricity to the electrical panel.

Step2

Disconnect the wire from the load terminal of the breaker and pull the wire out of the way to facilitate removal of the breaker.

Step3

Carefully pry the defective breaker out of its position using a screwdriver. Take note as to how the breaker locks into position in the panel. In the case of Cutler Hammer (formerly Westinghouse, Nova Line and so forth), the back of the breaker pushes back into a mounting strip first, then pushes onto the bus bar.

Step4

Reinsert the new breaker and push firmly into position. Then reattach the wire to the load terminal.

Step5

Inspect for any other potential problems, like loose terminals, while you have the branch circuit compartment open. And it is a good idea to retighten all connections while you're in there.

Step6

Put the panel cover back on, and if you have installed a breaker for a new circuit in a new position, you will have to remove the appropriate breaker knock-out from the panel cover.

Step7

Shut off all of the branch circuit breakers, then turn on the main breaker, and then one by one turn on all of the individual breakers. Check and test everything to see that all systems are normal.