How to Install a New Breaker Box in a Home
Circuit breakers are protective devices that keep your home's wiring from overheating in the event of lightning, power surge or electrical applicance malfunction. By controlling the power going to a particular route of wiring, they are able to "trip" and automatically shut down hazardous current should an overload or short circuit occur. If you suspect your breaker box is faulty or needs to be replaced with a newer model, doing so could prevent the dangers associated with circuit box failure. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers
- Wire strippers
- Torque measuring device
- Voltmeter
- Marker or electrical tape
Instructions
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Contact your local electric company and advise them of your situation. Ideally, the installation of a new breaker box should be performed by a qualified electrician. If you are not certified but still want to do the work yourself, you may need to obtain a permit from your electric company. Improperly installed boxes or boxes with the wrong amperage could result in death, serious damage to your home and failed inspections. After consulting with your electric company and obtaining their advice and consent, have them temporarily turn the electric off that runs to your home from the pole. Test the hotwires with a voltmeter to ensure the power is disconnected.
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Remove your original box. Note the wiring locations on the existing box for reference and disconnect each wire. Unbolt or unscrew the box from its mount on the wall and set it aside. Mark each wire appropriately so you are certain which wires are ground, neutral and hot respectively. This can be done with a marker or colored electrical tape.
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Mount your new breaker box. If your new box has a different bolt pattern or a different mount, it may be necessary to drill new holes in your wall or install a new mounting bracket. Be sure that your box is held in place securely by attaching it to your home's studs or other solid structural supports. Never hang your box loosely by attaching it to drywall or other unstable fixtures. Thread your wires into the new breaker box and align them neatly so you are ready for making the necessary connections.
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Connect your ground wires first. Generally, the ground wires are bare copper wires that can be easily bent to retain a shape that allows for easy connection. Tighten each screw in each connection terminal with a torque of 20 inch-pounds. When conductors are under a full current load, thermal expansion and distortion of the copper wire can occur, loosening the screw. To avoid the problems this could cause, use a torque measuring device to ensure you have a tightness that will offset the heating/cooling cycle typical of repeated usage.
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Connect your neutral wires next. The neutral wires that feed the panel are typically colored white. Strip the insulation from the wires about 1/4 to 1/2 inch and insert them into their respective connection terminals on the neutral bus bars. Use the "20 inch-pounds" rule of thumb regarding torque when you tighten the connection terminals.
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Connect the hot wire to the breaker lugs. The hot wires are typically red or black in color. Strip the insulation from their ends and connect them firmly to their terminals, which are generally located at the top of the box's breaker rows. Use caution with these wires even though the power is disconnected. If something were to go wrong, such as the power being accidentally reconnected, contact with these wires could kill you.
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Contact your electric company and request a licensed electrician inspect your work. Once everything checks out, the electric company will restore power to your home. Use your outlets to ensure your breakers are functioning properly and test your main breaker to ensure your box is capable of cutting-off power when needed.
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Tips & Warnings
When working with electricity, try to use just one hand. If this is difficult, work with one hand in your pocket. If both your hands are touching a live wire, your body becomes a circuit and the effect can be lethal. When only one hand touches a live wire, you have a much greater chance of pulling away before serious shock occurs.
Always ground your electrical current. Wiring that is not properly grounded constitutes a serious risk of fire or electrical component damage.
References
- Photo Credit electrical pylons image by Sergey Nikolaev from Fotolia.com
