Amp Breaker

4Nov/08Off

Amp Breaker

How to Replace a Circuit Breaker

If you plug in a stereo system that tries to pull 16 amps, the breaker will trip, or turn off, so that 16 amps do not travel through the electrical system in your home. In the event of a short circuit, a breaker trips and instantly turns off power to that circuit. If the breaker failed to trip properly the short circuit to quickly lead to a fire in the home.

The best way to test for a faulty device is to first unplug everything that is attached to that breaker from the wall, turn off every single light in the house, and then plug back in each device one by one until you get the breaker to trip. You can then determine if the device plugged into the wall is at fault or if the breaker is at fault.

In the event that no devices seem to be tripping the breaker you should check the voltage on the circuit breaker. For this, you'll need a multimeter or voltage tester. Check both the line and load side of the breaker for the proper amperage and voltage. If the voltage is not the same on both sides, you probably have a faulty breaker.

If you've discovered that you do indeed have a faulty breaker, it's time to replace it. First, shut off all of the breakers one by one in the panel, and then turn off the main unit. Make sure each breaker is turned off and there is no power going to the panel with your voltage tester or multimeter. Next, you'll need to replace the faulty breaker. Most houses built after 1960 use push-in or stab style breakers. These breakers simply pry out of the panel and are simple to replace. Disconnect the wires from the breaker, pry it out with a screwdriver or small pry bar, and connect a new one the same way. Be sure to replace it with a one that is the same amperage ratings. No matter what you do, do not put a different sized breaker in place of a smaller one!

Once the new breaker is correctly seated in the panel, connect the wiring back to it, and turn back on each breaker one by one, and finally turn on the main breaker. Check the new breaker for the correct voltage, and check the devices attached to that breaker to make sure they all work properly.

If you are replacing a larger breaker in an industrial or commercial situation, you can send the used breaker to be reconditioned, or even sell the used breaker to a company that reconditions them. There are many companies online that recondition used breakers. For customers who are replacing an expensive one, I recommend having the faulty one repaired and keeping it as a spare so next time you need to replace one you'll have one ready to go.

Finally, close the panel and congratulate yourself for saving some money by not paying an electrician!

If you have a breaker you need reconditioned or want to sell used breakers, check out Southland Electrical Supply.

About the Author

What are your thoughts from changing a 150 amp breaker to a 200 amp breaker?

It is an old house that has aluminum wiring that was built back in the 70s the lights started flickering and eventually the lights went out and all of the electricity went out. We discovered that it was the main breaker box that was the problem. We disconnected the 150 amp GE TQD22150WL and replaced it with a 200 amp GE TQD22200WL. What are your thoughts?

I would be very careful here because your panel may have been sized for the conductors that entered the panel. If you have 2/0 2/0 1/0 aluminum wire it is for a 150 amp service and will not handle a 200 amp load. If you have 4/0 4/0 2/0 Al wire it will handle the load and you wont have a problem there as long as it is installed in the correct fashion. You also want to check the rating on your panel box as it may only be rated for 150 amps and putting a 200 amp breaker in will overload your box bus bars under heavy load.

ps Aluminum wire has not been outlawed for use in panel installation as long as it done as specified, they did however outlaw the use of aluminum wire for use in wiring outlets switches and other inwall applications.