GFI Circuit Breaker Installation

Circuit breakers are installed in household breaker boxes.

GFI (ground fault interrupter) circuit breakers are installed in homes' breaker boxes to either stop or allow the flow of electrical current to a specific circuit. The breaker has an on/off switch that is used manually, but the breaker also turns off (trips) automatically if there is a short or power surge somewhere along the circuit it serves. GFI breakers come in different amperages and, if safety precautions are followed, are safe to install.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber mat
• Battery-operated light
• Hand-insulated screwdriver

Instructions

1. Position a battery-operated light so that the home's breaker box is adequately illuminated. Place a rubber mat on the ground in front of the box and stand on it at all times while installing the circuit breaker. Open the breaker box's outer cover. Switch off the box's main breaker and all individual circuit breakers. Loosen and remove the screws on the box's inner cover and take out the cover.

2. Look for the main power cables entering the breaker box as well as the lugs to which they are connected. Both lugs and cables will still be live so do not touch them at any time. Locate the circuit breaker being replaced, then loosen the breaker's terminal screw marked "line power." Pull the black/red wire out of the terminal. Loosen the breaker's terminal screw marked "load neutral" and pull out the white wire.

3. Follow the breaker's coiled wire to the breaker box's neutral bar. Loosen the terminal screw and pull out the wire. Push the front of the breaker to the side of the box to disengage it from the bus bar under the breaker. Take out the breaker -- do not touch the bus bar as it still may be live.

4. Turn the new breaker to its off position. Slide the breaker into the old breaker's slot and push the front to snap it onto the bus bar. Connect the black/red wire to the breaker's "line power" terminal and the white wire to the breaker's "load neutral" terminal. Attach the breaker's coiled wire to the vacant terminal screw in the box's neutral bar.

5. Refit the breaker's inner cover and turn on the main and all individual breakers. Close the box's outer cover.

Tips & Warnings

• A GFI breaker is the same as a GFCI breaker.

• Refer to a qualified electrician if in any doubt about the circuit breaker installation process.

References

• Wiring Help: How to Install a GFCI Breaker
• Ask The Builder: Installing Circuit Breakers