How to Replace a GFI Circuit Breaker
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) breaker is a circuit breaker that monitors electrical current and disconnects the electrical path in the event of a ground fault. Ground faults occur when the electrical path short circuits. GFCI circuit breakers play a vital role in virtually every application close to wet conditions or in an outside environment. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Put your electrical gloves on and open the panel to the circuit breaker box where you wish to install the GFCI outlet.
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Turn off the main power switch in the breaker box. Test that you've turned the main power off by attempting to turn on some appliances connected through this breaker box; if they do not electrify, you have successfully disconnected the main power. If they electrify, your main breaker has failed; call an electrical professional to examine your breaker box.
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3
Locate the specific GFCI breaker you wish to replace.
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Trace the white wire coming off this breaker until you reach its mounting point on the breaker bus bar.
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Unscrew the screw that mounts the breaker on the bus bar, holding the white wire in place. Do not unscrew this screw entirely from the bus bar.
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Locate the black wire attached to the GFCI circuit breaker you wish to replace. Unscrew the screw holding it to the GFCI breaker until you have loosened it enough to disconnect the black wire from the GFCI breaker.
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Pull the GFCI breaker out of the breaker box. Held in place by friction, these breakers sometimes require considerable force for removal.
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Insert your new GFCI circuit breaker into the the now-open slot in the same orientation as the one you previously removed.
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Attach the white wire coming from the GFCI breaker to the exact same mounting screw from which you removed the old white wire. Tighten the screw enough that it holds the wire in place but does not squeeze the wire out from under the screw's head.
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Attach the black wire you removed from the old GFCI breaker to the new one. This wire will attach in the same location on this breaker as on the old one. Again, only apply enough torque to the screw to hold it securely in place.
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Engage the main breaker switch into the "On" or "Closed" position to re-establish electrical power throughout the subcircuits within the breaker box.
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Close the breaker box, and dispose of the old GFCI breaker properly.
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Tips & Warnings
If unfamiliar with electrical specifications or techniques, seek the help of an electrical professional. The voltages within a breaker box, even when the main power switch is off, can severely injure or kill you. Further, after a electrical installation or renovation,have the work reviewed by either an electrician or the local building inspector.
