Simple Tips on How to Replace a Circuit Breaker

To remove a circuit breaker, follow these simple tips:

1) Locate the electrical service box in your house.

2) Shut off the main breaker within the box and remove the panel covering the breakers.

3) Test the wire going to the circuit breaker you are replacing and make sure the power is off at that location. This can be done with an inexpensive circuit tester.

4) Unscrew and pull out of the way the feed wire going to the circuit breaker you are replacing. There should be only one black wire going to the breaker unless you have a multiple pole breaker or a very high amp rating on the breaker.

5) Remove the circuit breaker by pulling outwards towards yourself (this may take a little muscle but shouldn’t be too bad).

6) If you are replacing the breaker make sure the new circuit breaker is in the off position.

7) Install the new circuit breaker with the same amp rating unless you are adding a higher load on the circuit such as a freezer or air conditioner. In that case you might want to consult an electrician as to what kind of circuit breaker to put in.

8) Push the new breaker in place securely and reconnect the wire(s) going to it.

9) Turn the main circuit breaker on first and then the new circuit breaker you just replaced. If the new circuit breaker trips and shuts off then you either have a shorted connection (two wires or contacts touching each other) or the power load on the breaker is too high for the amp rating you chose.

10) If everything is working correctly install the service box panel and check your outlets, lights, appliances, etc. that are connected to the new breaker you have replaced.

A circuit breaker can be a scary thing to remove but if you take the proper precautions it can be done without any trouble. If you have any doubts then consult an electrician and decide if you need to hire them to take care of the task. I installed a complete service box in my garage and found a “How To” electrical book is a lifesaver as well.

Take care and stay safe!

The author Mike Webb was an automotive technician at a Chrysler Dealership for 15 years and an agricultural technician for 5 years. He won the prestigiousToptech award from Chrysler in 1996 and is an ASE certified Master Technician. He currently owns and operates the Okinawan School of Karate with 2 locations. To learn more about Mike Webb you can go to his website: http://www.karatebenefits.com

The above article may be published freely as long as no content is changed and all links are included.Copyright Mike Webb 2007

Why a Circuit Breaker Trips

Circuit breakers trip for one of two reasons, a short circuit or an overloaded circuit. A short circuit being the simplest to explain and the hardest to repair and an overloaded circuit being relatively easy to explain and easier to fix.

A breaker is designed to regulate the amount of amperage a wire can safely carry. This is why most 110 volt circuits in your home are wired with 12 Gage wire and placed on a 20 amp breaker. Quite possibly your home could be wired on 14 gage wire and a 15 amp breaker. One could place a 15 amp breaker on the 12 gage wire a swell but you can NEVER place a 20 amp breaker on 14 gage wire.

See, wire has a rated ampacity that it can carry and 12/20 and 14,15 are the maximum for each circuit. This is what is violated when a circuit breaker trips.

Ina short circuit the hot wire is broken or possibly just has the insulation worn enough to make contact with a ground. When this happens this direct short causes the amperage to increase coming through the breaker and when the amperage is higher than the rating on the breaker the breaker trips. When you try and reset the breaker it will trip right back off. Repairing this situation requires someone with electrical knowledge or hire an electrician. Electricity is dangerous so don't play around with it. It takes less than one amp to kill someone.

The other reason a circuit breaker trips is because of overloading the circuit. As I have stated a circuit has a breaker protecting the wire it is served by. If this is 12/20 then 20 amps is the maximum for the circuit. So, you plug in a hair dyer that is rated at 1500 watts and decide you better let the 1500 watt curling iron heat up. Now, a simple calculation watts divided by voltage gives amps. So, 3000/120=25amps. Your circuit is overloaded and will trip. Plug only one item in at a time or find another circuit for the curling iron!

Maintaining Circuit Breakers And Fuses

Always use extreme caution when you are working on or around your home electrical system. If you have any doubts about completing any of the following steps, leave your electrical system alone and promptly telephone a trained professional.

While you are most likely not an electrician, it is still important for you know how to care for your circuit breakers or fuses in the event you should lose power to your home or throw a switch or blow a fuse.

The first step is locating your circuit breakers or fuses. They will be in a metal box - sometimes in your basement and sometimes located outside. The box is typically grey, but colors can vary.

All of the circuit breakers should be labeled on the door so you can easily reset the switch or replace the fuse if there is an issue. If this is not done on your panel door you will need the assistance of one other person who can tell you what areas of your house lose power when you remove a fuse or turn a switch off, unless you are willing to run back and forth as you turn switches and/or remove fuses.

You will need to know how to reset your circuit breakers or remove fuses in the event one is thrown or a fuse is blown. In most incidences the switches are clearly marked on or off. Prior to resetting or replacing circuit breakers or fuses you should turn off everything that was drawing power when you lost power. Failing to do so will cause the exact same thing to happen again.

Sometimes a circuit breaker can appear to be on when it is actually off. That is why labeling your switches is so important. If you have an issue in a specific area of your house and your switches are labeled you can easily flip the exact switch and restore power.

If you have tried all of the above and still have no power, you may need to turn on and off the main power switch and then reset each individual circuit breaker. If this fails to solve your issue, it is time to call a professional.

Brought to you by Circuit Breakers from Moeller Electric

What Are Circuit Breakers?

Circuit Breakers are devices that stop the electrical current of a circuit in the event of excess or very high voltage. Circuit breakers are handy, not only because they can protect against electrical fires but also because they can be reset. When a fuse blows out, it must be replaced each time, whereas circuit breakers are easily reset when tripped.

Each appliance in your home receives electrical currents by way of electrical circuit breakers. Circuit breakers are considered to be either main or individual. The main circuit breaker controls power to the entire house while individual circuit breakers transmit power to individual appliances.

Electrical circuit breakers are probably the most important safety feature in a building. A circuit breaker measures the amount of heat produced by the current or by the magnetic field created by the small coil inside the breaker. When the current becomes too high, the breaker will cut off the circuit to stop it. Fuses serve the same function but can only be used once. Anyone who has blown a fuse can tell you it is much easier to have circuit breakers.

Electrical circuit breakers are also useful for shutting down power to the entire house. If you need to do some electrical maintenance, either for the entire structure or individual electrical wires, shutting down the main breaker can be a safety tool. Although electrical waves are invisible, we all know they have great potential danger. You should label each individual electrical circuit breaker so it is easily accessible for future use.

Direct current, or DC circuit breakers, are commonly used in automobiles. DC circuit breakers, unlike alternate current (AC) breakers, only deliver currents in one direction. These types of circuit breakers are a renewable energy delivery source, and special precautions should be taken when using them.

Since all batteries have the capability of producing enormous amounts of energy when short-circuited, care should be taken to properly install the breaker, fuse and disconnects in a vehicle. Autos should have additional protection against over current for the battery and each of the branch circuits. Vehicle fires sometimes result when the owner does not take proper precautions.

DC circuit breakers often have plastic beads inside of the fuse. When the current becomes too heavy, these plastic beads can melt and fill the void inside the fuse and prevent an arc from forming. If the current is very heavy this can cause electrical fires. While DC circuit breakers are effective in preventing damage from an overload of current, they are only effective to a certain degree. Any power source using DC technology should have a backup master fuse to protect the vehicle against total short-circuit.

Circuit Breakers Info provides detailed information about circuit breaker panels, circuit breaker manufacturers, plus advice on how to replace and install circuit breakers and where to buy used and surplus circuit breakers. Circuit Breakers Info is the sister site of Electricians Web.

How to Buy Used or Surplus Circuit Breakers

For homes or businesses trying to cut costs, used circuit breakers may be an option for their electrical needs. You can visit several online stores that carry all sorts of brands of used circuit breakers. Finding a used circuit breaker can also be useful in locating obsolete or outdate breakers. Many companies only sell used circuit breakers that have been tested for quality and safety.

Because used circuit breakers are usually old, it is necessary to test them prior to purchase or using them. Testing used circuit breakers is essential for safety as well as for functional reasons. In older used breakers, the naked eye simply cannot determine if the contacts are corroded. If the contacts are indeed corroded, your circuit breaker may not function properly or safely. Most electricians recommend not to use used circuit breakers to ensure your safety, because prices on new circuit breakers are generally reasonable.

Sometime a company may have too many circuit breakers or breakers that have become obsolete for their needs. In cases such as this, many companies decide to sell their surplus circuit breakers to dealers. In turn, these dealers test, refurbish and resell the products. This can mean huge savings to the consumers who purchase surplus circuit breakers.

Online auctions, web directories and bulletin boards are all excellent tools to buy or sell surplus circuit breakers. The widespread use of the Internet has opened up a whole new world of buying and selling these goods. Traditionally, a business owner interested in buying surplus had to fly to the location to examine the product before purchase. Now, however, the sellers can upload pictures and the important information for the consumer to review before purchasing. Some experts estimate that the surplus selling business has become a multi-billion dollar industry, even within the past five-to-ten years.

If you decide to pursue the purchase of surplus goods online, you should ask some important questions first. Find out if it is an original, factory direct product and whether it is new or used. Does it have any noticeable cracks or fractures? When was it last used? What are the testing procedures to ensure it functions and is safe? What is the refund policy?

Finding this information beforehand is vital in securing a good quality surplus circuit breaker. You can save a lot of money by buying an outdated, unused or obsolete circuit breaker if you know the right questions to ask. Consumer advocates encourage you to keep in mind the old adage, “buyer beware” since the online marketplace opens up new possibilities for fraud. Marketplaces such as Ebay offer consumer protection against fraud and SurplusRecord.com does their best to screen but ultimately it is the responsibility of the buyer to ask questions. Knowing what you are buying can mean the difference in getting junk equipment and equipment that is functional, safe, and meets your needs.

Circuit Breakers Info provides detailed information about circuit breaker panels, circuit breaker manufacturers, plus advice on how to replace and install circuit breakers and where to buy used and surplus circuit breakers. Circuit Breakers Info is the sister site of Electricians Web.

RV Interior Outlets and Over Loading Circuit Breakers

Some people do not realize that most RVs are wired for 20 amp fuses on most of their outlets. Occasionally, there will be a 30-amp fuse for an outlet or 40 amp if the RV has a large generator on it. This makes sense for most people and their uses however, sometimes this is not enough and it can cause issues with outdoor lighting, BBQs, air-compressors, etc.

Another issue occurs when you have only one outlet at a table or two in the kitchen area. This is fine unless you are running two lap-tops, a computer printer, charging a cell phone and a digital camera. Anyway you can see the problems with today’s motor homes. The smartest thing to do is to find an Recreational Vehicle, Motor Home or RV, which has already taken all these needs into consideration and buy that one.

Why you ask? Well, if you are going to live in the RV and travel the country being inconvenienced is simply unacceptable, as there are things you will truly need. Sure you can put a two into six-outlet adapter, but you still cannot exceed the amperage of the outlet or you will blow the fuse.

Nevertheless, if you are running small electronic equipment like a cell phone charger and such then it can work and you may need to designate a certain outlet as your charging area. When you buy two into six-outlet adapter, buy one which actually screws into the wall otherwise you will have a wiry mess and it will come unplugged and could cause a spark or short. Consider all this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

Go With the Flow - Circuit Breakers 101

There aren't a whole lot of people who spend time thinking about circuit breakers until something goes wrong with them. Most of us blissfully expect our home's circuit breakers to keep things running smoothly without any attention or help from us. Just to be on the safe side, it's worth taking a few minutes to learn more about how these systems work and how they are in place as a safety precaution as well as a modern convenience. Don't run to your circuit breaker and simply start poking around, read on for some general information that can come in very handy.

Every modern household has circuit breakers; there is no way to get around it. This system is in place to correctly and safely monitor the amount of electrical power that moves through a house. The safety mechanism goes into effect when a building or home has too much electrical current going through. The common term for this is tripping a breaker. The circuit breakers disrupt power to the house. While this can certainly be an inconvenience to live without electricity for a few moments, the safety feature helps to cut down on the risk of fire from electricity overload.

The basics for understanding circuit breakers, and how they work, lies in understanding voltage, current, and resistance levels. As something the average homeowner may not be completely aware of, voltage is the amount of pressure applied to an electric charge to make it move to the location needed. Moving onto the current - this term refers to the process of the speed and rate at which the charge moves through the conductor when measured at a specific point. Resistance is the adverse pressure applied to the charge as it passes through the conductor. The amount of resistance will depend on what the conductor is made of and its size. Nothing like going back to science class, is there?

All three of these components of circuit breakers are related. One can't be changed without the others being affected. The next time your circuit breakers trip, you will know the hows and the whys of the process and be able to address the situation informed.

This article was written by Gregg Hicks of http://www.reliableremodeler.com which provides Internet-based home improvement information and services. Offering homeowners a simple, quick, and free way to access, qualified home improvement remodeling contractors.