How to Add a Circuit Breaker to an Electrical Panel

Isn’t it the right choice to renovate your electrical panel that provides safety with better functionality? Well, you are at the right place.

Read the article to have a better understanding on how to install a circuit breaker to an electrical panel providing step by step guidance with testing.

Let’s start.

Table of Contents

Determining Where to Install the Circuit Breaker

The installation of the circuit breaker is a critical step. It is essential to choose the right location for installing the breaker. Here are steps to see which is the right place to install the circuit breaker.

Turn off Power: The first step is to turn off the power supply as it ensures your safety. The right understanding of electrical layout is essential as it helps you to find the available slots.
Selection of Available Slots: Choose the available slot and verify whether the slot is suitable for the type of breaker you want to install.
Panel Removal: The next step is to be done carefully as it involves the removal of electrical panel cover. Behind the cover is all the wires and electrical connections.
Checking of Panel Power: It is essential to check the power of the panel. For this use a non-contact voltage tester or multimeter. It is a very critical step to see that the power is completely off as it can cause electrical shock to the worker.
Selection of Right Slot: It is very essential to select the right slot for installing the circuit breaker. The size and type of the breaker should be compatible with the slot.
Panel Capacity and Load: The step involves the checking of capacity in the panel. It is important to check whether there is enough capacity for the panel to bear the breaker you are installing.

It is important to seek the help of professional electrical staff while installing a circuit breaker. Wearing rubber soled shoes and using insulated tools should be compulsory while installations.

Placing the Circuit Breaker in the Panel

After selecting the right place of installing the circuit breaker, the next step is to install it. For this, see how you can place the right circuit breaker panel.

Select Right Circuit Breaker

The first step is to check whether the breaker is compatible with the panel slot. This is to avoid future short circuits or overloading.

Turning Off Circuit Breaker Handle

Before installing the circuit breaker, it is important to turn off the breaker handle. This is essential as turning on while installing the breaker causes the power flow. The workers are likely to be affected by the electric shock.

Preparation of Slot

The next step is to check that the selected slot is cleaned and ready for installation. Double check the compatibility and dimensions of the slot and circuit breaker.

Connection Between Bars and Circuit Breaker

The next step is to make a connection between the bars in the panel with the circuit breaker. The clips of the circuit breaker should be perfectly aligned with the terminal slot.

Pressing the Circuit Breaker

The circuit breaker should be carefully pressed till it is perfectly fit into the terminal slot. Loose or movement of connection between them can cause accidents.

Preparation of Circuit Wires

For safety, the wire strippers are used. They are used to remove the insulation at the ground, hot, or neutral wires.

Connection of Hot Wire and Circuit Breaker

It is an important step and should be performed by a professional electrician. The hot wire i.e, stripped at the end is firmly connected with the circuit breaker’s terminal. After that it should be tightened with the screw. The connection should be double checked as a gap or loose connection may cause an accident.

Neutral wire Connection

For the safety purpose, you have an option of connecting the neutral wire into the available terminal slot. After that with the help of a screwdriver the connections should be tightened.

Ground Wire Connection

The connection of the ground wire is essential as it lowers the risk of eclectic shock to the users. For connection, connect the ground wire to the ground terminal slot.

Testing and Reassembly

The final steps include the testing and reassembling all the parts of the panels. The testing includes the checking of all the connections carefully. Any loose connection should be secured with the help of a screwdriver. All the parts of panels reassemble as it includes covering of panel cover, turning the power on, turning power on of the circuit breaker and checking that the new circuit breaker is working perfectly.

Finishing and Testing the Installation

Step 1: After the successful installation of the circuit breaker, the final steps include the testing and finishing. If there are any excess knockout plates on the cover of the panel, it should be carefully removed.
Step 2: Before covering the panel with the cover, clean any dirt on the panel. A well cleaned panel minimizes the chance of any accident or short circuit. The panel cover should be reinstalled. The realignment of the panel cover and the frame is necessary. After the covering, it is important to ensure there should be no wire exposed.
Step 3: The main circuit breaker power should also be turned on. Check that the newly installed circuit breaker is working properly. For testing the new circuit breaker use voltage tester. This helps to verify that the devices connected with the breaker are working properly and there is no problem in the circuit breaker.
Step 4: After the testing of the circuit breaker, label it so it will be easier for the users to identify it. After making the circuit breaker functional, check properly whether it is causing any overload. it is checked by adding multiple devices and checking if the total load is affected or not.
Step 5: The working of the circuit breaker should be carefully observed. Any overloading or overheating in the panel or in the breaker should be tackled instantly. As there is always heat in electrical appliances but overheating is problematic and causes accidents.
Step 6: Last step includes the regular checking of the circuit breaker and the panel. They should be properly functioning and all the connections should be tight. If you observe that the panel is overcrowded with excess connections., then upgrade the panel for better performance.

Conclusion

The installation of the right circuit breaker at the suitable place is critical. Following the step by step guideline helps the better functioning of the circuit breaker but also includes safety and correct wiring.

In order to have the right circuit breaker for your needs, you can contact us now.