Resetting and Replacing Breakers
The fuses or circuit breakers in the service panel form the first line of defense for your home, protecting you and your family from fire and shock. If you find a circuit breaker trips often, even though you don’t seem to be running too many appliances or lights, the problem may be the wiring or the circuit breaker.
Before you begin:
If you a breaker is tripping for no apparent reason, touch the prongs of a voltage tester to the breaker's terminal screw and a ground. If there’s no power, the breaker is faulty and it needs to be replaced.
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Step One
Shut off the main breaker. Then loosen the setscrews on the suspected breaker and a nearby breaker of the same amperage.
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Step Two
Pull out the breaker by hand, making sure that you only touch plastic and never anything made of metal.
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Step Three
Buy a new breaker of the same amperage and size, made by the same manufacturer. Slip the wire into the new breaker and tighten the setscrew. Push the breaker in until it snaps into place like the ones around it. Restore power.