Last Updated on 15 July 2025 by Maelle
Replacing a circuit breaker is an essential task to ensure the safety and efficiency of your electrical system. While handling electrical components may seem daunting, with the right precautions and knowledge, it is entirely possible to replace a branch circuit breaker without professional help. It is crucial to distinguish between replacing a main circuit breaker and replacing a standard circuit breaker. The main circuit breaker controls the power supply to the entire house and often requires the utility company to shut off the power. However, replacing a circuit breaker in the electrical panel requires only following the precise steps outlined in our guide. Learning how to replace a circuit breaker in an electrical panel can save you time and money. However, it is important to always check that the power is off before attempting any work. For more details on how to safely replace a circuit breaker, see the following sections of our article. When to Replace a Circuit Breaker Circuit breakers don’t last forever. Many can operate efficiently for up to 20 years. However, frequent tripping of a circuit breaker can wear down its internal components over time, causing it to trip even if the system isn’t under heavy electrical load. Circuit breakers that heat up frequently or for extended periods (such as in breaker boxes located in very hot rooms or along south-facing exterior walls) can also degrade more quickly than those that remain cool. Here are some signs to look for if you’re not sure whether your circuit breakers need replacing. The circuit breakers are worn. To test for worn circuit breakers, unplug everything on the circuit and reset the breaker. If it doesn’t click into the “on” position and stay there firmly, or if it seems lacking in resistance, it’s time to replace the breaker. The circuit breakers aren’t meeting code requirements. Building codes often require homeowners to upgrade existing circuit breakers by replacing standard models with ones that detect arc or ground faults. Adding an outlet to a circuit or rewiring a switch may require going to the panel and replacing the breaker that controls that device. The breaker’s amperage rating needs to be upgraded. Sometimes a new circuit requires a larger breaker, such as upgrading from a 15-amp to a 20-amp breaker. In this case, the wiring will also need to be replaced, but it all starts with the breaker.
The breaker is faulty. There are several symptoms of a faulty circuit breaker, such as burn marks, cracks in the casing, or a smoky smell. Look for these telltale signs on both new and old circuit breakers. In any case, installing or replacing a circuit breaker isn’t very difficult. However, it does require a little experience and caution to do it safely, and the sections below cover everything you need to know. Learning how to safely replace a circuit breaker saves DIYers a lot of money compared to hiring an electrician for this simple job. You’ll need a new circuit breaker to replace the old one: you’ll find many Schneider circuit breakers online at our partner E-Planetelec! How to replace a circuit breaker? This guide explains how Change a circuit breaker, not the main breaker. The main breaker is the largest (usually two 100-amp breakers connected together) where the main power enters the panel. If you need to replace a main breaker or replace the entire electrical panel, it’s best to call a professional. The only way to turn off power to a main breaker is to call the power company, so don’t attempt it yourself. Also, understand that even if the main breaker is off, there is still voltage in the panel. The wires that feed the main breaker are still carrying power, even if they divert that power from the rest of the panel. Never touch anything above the main breaker for this reason. The main breaker can turn off power from the utility pole, but homes with solar panels or automatic generators may have additional power feeding into the electrical panel. If so, the panel may still be live even though the main breaker is off. Be sure to test the voltage before touching anything in the panel.STEP 1: Mark the breaker that needs replacing and turn off the main power.
Install a flashlight or work light to illuminate the electrical panel. Before removing the panel cover, identify the breaker in question. If the breaker doesn’t trip automatically, you can plug a radio into an outlet on the circuit and turn up the volume until it’s audible. Turn the breakers off one by one until the radio becomes silent. Once the music or static stops, test the last breaker turned off with a non-contact voltage tester or multimeter to ensure it is actually off. Next, turn off this breaker before marking it with a piece of tape (a bright color like orange is most practical, but any color will work). Before proceeding, turn off the main breaker and any breakers for auxiliary equipment such as solar circuits or backup generator circuits. You can also use a breaker finder for this process, but if you’re only replacing a single breaker that you already know needs replacing, this may not be necessary. STEP 2: Remove the panel cover and test the circuits. Once the main breaker is off, remove the electrical panel cover using the appropriate screwdriver. The cover is heavy and will fall off, so follow this procedure: Remove the top two screws completely, then tighten them one or two turns. Some panels have oversized holes that fit the screw head before sliding into a smaller hole. If this is the case, simply loosen the screws slightly rather than removing them completely.
Completely remove the bottom screws from the cover.
Hold the panel with one hand while removing the top screws with the other, using the weight of the panel cover. Carefully set the panel cover aside. Once the panel cover is removed, use your non-contact electrical tester to check each circuit breaker. If the tester lights up and beeps, the circuit is still live—do not proceed, as the panel may still be live. If you cannot identify where the power is coming from, call a professional electrician.
- STEP 3: Remove the wire from the breaker.
- Locate the breaker marked with electrical tape. After ensuring the main breaker is still closed, use a screwdriver to loosen the black wire attached to the screw terminal on the side of the breaker. It’s not necessary (and usually not possible without force) to completely remove this screw. Simply loosen the screw until the wire can be pulled straight out of the breaker. Once removed, bend the wire away from the panel. This will prevent it from accidentally getting caught under the new breaker once it’s installed. STEP 4: Remove the old breaker from the panel.
- There are no bolts or screws holding residential circuit breakers in place. Breakers are friction-fitted to the panel, but learning how to remove a breaker can be a bit tricky for beginners.
- Starting on the side of the breaker opposite the wire terminal, use your thumb to apply firm pressure, pushing toward the side of the panel. This end of the breaker will begin to detach from the hot bus bar (the copper bar that distributes power to the breakers) with a slight twisting motion. Once the breaker is completely detached from the bar, it will unhook and pop right out of the panel.
STEP 5: Install the new breaker in the panel. Turn the new breaker to the “off” position and make sure the wire removed in Step 3 is out of the way. Note that the breaker has a hook-like shape on one end and a set of copper contacts on the other end that are coated with lubricant. Do not wipe the grease off. Place the hooked end of the breaker in the panel. Swing the breaker forward into the panel, placing the contacts on the bus bar. It should fit snugly and aligned with the other breakers. Push the breaker outward slightly to ensure it is securely fastened to the bus bar.
STEP 6: Wire the new breaker.
Locate the terminal screw on the new breaker. Use a screwdriver to loosen this screw, but do not attempt to remove it. There are two terminal plates under the screw that will clamp the wire, so they must remain in place. If you are installing an AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupter) breaker, it will have a white pigtail that must be attached to the neutral bar, which is the bar to which all other white wires are attached in the panel. To do this, choose a nearby terminal that is not in use and loosen the screw with a screwdriver. Stretch the pigtail so the exposed end of the wire can slide into the terminal before tightening it with the screw. Locate the wire removed from the old breaker and bend it to align with the terminal on the new breaker. Place the exposed end of the wire between the two terminal plates, reaching for the sheath (the covering around the wire). Use the screwdriver to tighten the terminal screw and tighten the wire. STEP 7: Replace the panel cover and turn on the power.Once the new breaker is installed and the wire is secured, take a moment to ensure all other wires are tucked securely into the panel box. Then, carefully replace the panel cover and tighten the two top screws by hand to secure it. Install the bottom screws before fully tightening the top screws.
Once the panel cover is back in place, flip all the breakers to the “off” position. Then, turn on the main breaker before flipping all the breakers to the “on” position, one by one. This will prevent your home from drawing too much power at once, which could be harmful. If the installation was successful, the new breaker should now be operational.
