How to Replace a Circuit Breaker Switch

Faulty circuit breakers need to be replaced as quickly as possible. Otherwise, they will not trip the power during a surge or electrical overload, which runs the risk of shorting out your appliances (and possibly starting a fire). Replacing circuit breakers is a very easy task, however. It allows you to keep your breakers in reliable condition, improving the basic safety of your home, without the expense of calling an electrician.

Things You'll Need

• Replacement circuit breakers Screwdriver Voltmeter Rubber soled shoes or rubber mat Electrical tape

Instructions

1. Place a rubber mat on the floor beneath the circuit box or dress in a pair of rubber-soled shoes. The rubber will keep you grounded and safe. In addition, check for any leaks or puddles. You need the area around the circuit box to be perfectly dry before you can work safely.

2. Remove the panel to the circuit box with a screwdriver and shut off the main power switch. Then turn the faulty breaker you intend to replace to the "off" position. Test it by placing one prong from a voltmeter on the breaker's terminal screw and the other prong on the ground screw. The voltmeter should not register any electricity.

3. Pull the faulty breaker carefully out of its slot, taking care not to pull out any of the connecting wires. Some breakers can be snapped in and out, while others require you to unscrew them. Note which wires go to which screws. A breaker with a single pole will have one wire attached, while a double-pole breaker will have two color-coded wires attached.

4. Unscrew the terminals on the faulty breaker and slip the wires out. If you wish, you can secure the wire to the breaker frame with a piece of electrical tape while you work so you won't lose track of them.

5. Check the new breaker to make sure it is in the off position. Then loosen the terminal screws, slide the wires in and tighten the screws again. Make sure the wires go into the same terminal screws on the new breaker as they did on the old.

6. Slide the new breaker into position and either screw it securely in place or snap the lock shut, depending upon the kind of breaker you have.

7. Place the panel back on the circuit box and screw it shut. Turn the main power on, then turn the new circuit breaker on.

8. Test the new circuit breaker with the voltmeter, placing the prongs on the terminal screw and the ground screw as you did in Step 2. It should read either 120 volts or 240 volts, depending on the size of the breaker.

Tips & Warnings

• A replacement breaker should be the same amperage as the faulty breaker which it is replacing (typically 15, 20 or 30-amp). Check to confirm this before you place the new breaker into the box.