How do I change a bad circuit breaker?

Question

I know how to reset when it kicks off...but I seem to remember years ago changing one which has gone bad...now I do not remember...pls help?

Answer 1

its really easy

1) shut down al breakers

2) shut your main breaker and or pull your "globe"

3) remove ba breaker, rewire the new breaker like to like and snap it back into place

4) replace globe and or flip main on and turn on your breakers  one by one (caution... make sure that you turn off/unplug any appliances and or high end electronics to prevent a surge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and thats it good luck

Answer 2

Since you are asking this question. I know you don't have any business in a hot panel!!

Hire an Electrician to do this for you.

Better to spend a few bucks to insure a job done right ,

and the safety aspect of this type of job.

Answer 3

It is important to be very careful when doing this.

Load center panel in which your bad breaker is

may require different procedures than other manufactures. Some are snap in some are secured with a s***w after pressing in. some are then secured futher with a runner bar down the center for the final lock in of all breakers before you replace the panel cover. Then you replace the panel cover.

Safest bet...turn the whole panel off at the main for the few minutes your changing out the breaker. Turn the individual breakers off too.

have a flash light handy if you will be in the dark.

1. Remove the cover panel (door and all)

2.if there is still a vertical locking bar over the center of all the breakers remove it also. some old panels have one way screwss here and your not able to uncrew them at this point.

Then you have to find a way to remove.

But most later model panels have that locking feature built into the cover you just removed, so there wont be a vertical bar.

The next thing is to make sure your breaker is in off position. Use a voltage tester to be sure.

Then unscrew the wire locking nut and remove the wire to your circuit.

look to see how the breaker is secured

Most now days can be gripped on one side or the other and pulled out rolling them to either the left or right depending on which side of the snap lock bar its on

watch how it rolled out. then slip the new one in setting the recessesed part on one side and press the other side into the metal electrical snap friction connector.

Re- install the wire. Re-mount your cover.

turn the main back on.

Then turn your individual breakers on one at a time to prevent power surge.

turn on and test your breaker.

Good luck

Answer 4

You'll need to shut down the Main Circuit Breaker then you can replace the breaker that is bad, they just snap in place, most of them you pull them from the inside edge of the breaker and you'll pull it like a door that opens on a hinge, where the wire connects to the breaker should be the pivot point, make sure you disconnect the wire. then just put the new breaker back in, hook the wire up and you should be good to go. Oh make sure you buy the same Brand Circuit Breaker as the Service Panel, they are not interchangable. Good luck