Circuit breakers are designed to interrupt the power to a circuit and protect your wiring. If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, the steps below will show you the right and safe way to fix it.
Instructions
Determine Whether You Have a Problem as you might just have to much load on the circuit.
Step 1: Plug a radio into an outlet on the circuit you're dealing with. Make sure that the volume is turned up so you can hear it when it comes on.
Step 2: Find your panel box. It's usually in the basement or utility room.
Step 3: Turn off the main power, if possible. Most panel boxes have a main on/off switch.
Step 4: Press the tripped breaker toward "off" to reset it, then to "on." If it trips immediately, you either have a bad breaker or a short somewhere in the circuit.
Replace the Circuit Breaker
Step 1: Purchase a new circuit breaker from a a reputable source. There are many options when it comes to this. You can either get a new circuit breaker or a reconditioned one. Recondition is a great option and often times has the same warranty as if it was new from the manufactures factory. Remember to check the suppliers reconditioning process. I would pick one of the bigger companies that offer complete lines of the various types of circuit breakers when going with the green option. Plus you can save some money!
Step 2: Always test the panel for current. A VoltAlert made by Fluke will work for this.
Step 3: Once you have confirmed that the power is off take the panel cover off the panel box by unscrewing the face plate screws.
Step 4: Notice the two wires feeding into the side of the breaker. Remember which one is in which position.
Step 5: Loosen the screw holding the white wire first just enough to get the wire out.
Step 6: Put a wire nut on the end of the white wire and bend it out of the way.
Step 7: Loosen the other screw and do the same thing with the colored wire.
Step 8: Pull the old circuit breaker out and snap a new one into place.
Step 9: Replace the wires in the same positions as they were on the old breaker - colored one first, white one second.
Step 10: Tighten the screws holding the wires. If you look up the type of breaker you will be installing on goggle you can find the Manufactures cut sheets that will tell how tight you should tighten the screws.
Step 11: Replace the face plate and screws.
Step 12: Turn the power to the panel on, if necessary.
Step 13: Turn the breaker on. You should then hear the radio. If the circuit breaker trips, call a licensed electrician because you most likely have a potentially dangerous short circuit.
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