How to Replace Zinsco Circuit Breakers
A Zinsco circuit breaker acts much like an old time fuse. When there is an aberration in the electrical current, the breaker opens up or "breaks" and shuts the power off on that particular circuit. Through the years or after repeated breaking, they can go bad, and when that happens, they will need to be replaced. This is a job for a do-it-yourself person confident in their abilities. If you have any doubts, a professional electrician needs to come in. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Voltage tester
- Flat blade screwdriver
- New breaker
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Instructions
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1
Throw the main circuit breaker and turn off the power to the breaker box.
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2
Remove the screws holding the breaker panel cover with your flat blade screwdriver. Screws will be located at all four corners of the box.
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3
Test the voltage on a known good breaker by using your voltage tester. The tester must read zero before you go any farther.
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4
Remove the wires from the breaker you wish to replace. They will be on the front of the breaker and the screws will loosen counterclockwise. Pull the wires off the posts.
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Place your screwdriver beneath the front lip on the breaker and gently pry it out of place. Once pried up far enough, pull it out with your fingers.
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Line up the new breaker with the attachment bar in the exact same place. Push it in firmly until it is seated and level with the others in the panel.
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Re-attach the wires to the new breaker. Make sure they are tight and firm.
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Replace the breaker panel cover by screwing it back into place.
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Turn all the other breakers in the box to the "off" position, but leave the new one on.
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Flip the main breaker to allow electricity to flow across the panel. The new breaker should stay "on" when you do this.
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Flip the rest of the breakers back to "on" one by one until the entire panel is electrified.
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