How to Identify Circuit Breaker Manufacturers

Circuit breakers protect your home by preventing excess current flow through your home's wiring. Your circuit breakers are housed in a central circuit breaker panel so you can control specific circuits in the home. If a circuit breaker goes bad, it's important to know the correct brand and manufacturer of the circuit breaker.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Turn off the power to the circuit breaker panel circuits by turning off the main switch. Set the switch to the "Off" position.

2. Unscrew the panel cover and loosen the screw at the end of the breaker. Pull out the black wire the terminal screw holds and then pry up the circuit breaker to remove it from the panel.

3. Look at the side of the breaker and note the manufacturer's name and the seven- or eight-digit code printed on the label.

4. Note other information such as voltage and amperage.

5. Contact an electrical supply store or do an Internet search to match the information you have up to the correct manufacturer of the circuit breaker.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't attempt to work on a circuit breaker if the power is on.

References

• How to Identify Your Circuit Breaker
• Breaker Identification Guide
• "Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual: Completely Revised and Updated"; Editors of The Family Handyman; 2005