How To Replace or Change a Circuit Breaker in your Electrical Panel & Why it's Tripping

How to replace a circuit breaker in your electrical panel. Is your breaker bad? Why is it tripping? You could have a bad, failing or defective circuit breaker. Your breaker can trip for many reasons but replacing the breaker can be cheap & easy and can let you narrow down what is causing you needing to reset your breaker intermittently or all the time.

This is to help you with your problem and point you in the right direction. YOU are responsible for what you do and determining what you are capable and feel safe doing.

I hope this video is helpful and may solve your problem and help you.

Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal.

[angelamobley]

I am a 74 year old woman on a fixed income so I have to do as many things myself as I can. My circuit breaker for my microwave went bad and needed to be replaced. I watched several videos on Youtube to learn how I could replace this myself. Of all the videos I watched, this video explained and demonstrated the process the clearest, in as few words as possible and still get the point across, so that I understood and felt confident I could do this myself. Thank you for your valuable assistance!

[hikemuch]

As a service electrician I can say you got most of the details in this video. But one very important step you left out was that when putting the heavy panel cover back on or taking it off. You have to be 100% committed to holding the panel cover steady, if it slips and it crosses the live wires you’re in for a lot of pain if you survive the blast.

[professor-dad]

Worked exactly as shared. Took less than 5 min to actually do (after procrastinating for weeks for fear of killing myself). 🙏🏻

[banality]

I have checked numerous videos and you are the only person who demonstrates how the wire is properly inserted into the breaker. No one else shows this crucial step. Thank you.

[johnpatton]

Absolutely best DIY video ever. No hype. No elementary prologue. Super practical step by step. Awesome!

[bigbawsz]

Man great video. No 10 minutes of blabbering about bs, short straight to the point with a lot of information and most important of all safety. Thanks a lot I feel confident to swap some out on my own

[Redwhiteblue]

Tripping for a year! Sounds like my baby mama!

[thatoneoverthere]

Thank you for sharing this information. I just changed a breaker myself and am feeling like a boss.

[TheCollapsedPsi]

Thank you for just explaining the process. Nobody needs you to introduce yourself or ask us to subscribe to your channel, especially at the start. Perfect factual explanation.

[timdavis]

One suggestion is to leave the wire in the breaker. As long as the wire is not tangled up with other wires it will help hold the breaker after you remove it. Then you can remove the wire, grab your new breaker, install the wire in the new breaker, and then install the new breaker in the panel. This gives you a better view of the nut to make sure you install the wire(s) correctly between the tabs. I also use a small brush and put dielectric grease on the panel tabs, the breaker contacts, and the nut. You'll need the corrosion protection if you're installation is in an outdoor panel.

[PeterSickmanGarner]

OMG, I'm a terrible handyperson, but even I can do this. That was the best how-to video I've ever seen!

[vincegrey]

One very important fact was not mentioned about replacing breakers. Always replace any breaker with the same amperage. It is dangerous to install a 20 or 30 amp breakers where a 15amp is. Some people think that when a 15 amp breaker trips often they need to add more power to the circuit. They can burn their house down that way. ALWAYS REPLACE 15 AMP WITH 15. 20 amp with 20 and so on.

[MrRowbeartoes]

I just completed some electrical upgrades that required breaker replacements. Your video is very thorough and covers safety topics, which is nice for those who have limited experience. Nice job, brother!

[thomasdevlin]

This has to be the smartest, and most clearly explained video I have seen on changing a breaker in your house. Thank you for taking the time to not only share your knowledge, but actually showed the entire process. That painter’s tape trick made a lot of sense, and again, many thanks.

[jeremy_c]

The most straightforward and easy video one could ever want. Awesome job!

[thompsonhandymanservices]

Also before sticking your screwdriver on the terminal verify that there's no power on the breaker. And, a voltage tracer is not a substitute for a meter (ever). Voltage testers can be sensitive and subject to stray voltage alarms. Use the meter to make sure the power is off.

[chevinbarghest]

Super video.... In 1986 I vaporized my long pincers on the 'substation side' of my distribution board ..240 volts...UK... I was left holding the insulated handles only...the pliers had blown up and steel was peppering the walls.. So remember that even with the main breaker off, there are still big live wires when you get the panel front off...

[tammyvinas]

THANK YOU for not blabbing about everything, like so many other videos that I’ve wasted my time on.
This video was great!

[mnrfzkd]

This is an amazing video. I have very little electrical experience and this taught me everything that I needed. Replaced a breaker this evening after watching this last night and taking a trip to the hardware store today. Kudos to you, SilverCymbal. Excellent job.

[IngenuousGuerilla]

Excellent video. You took the time to explain things that other DIYers might assume people might already know. This is how to shoot helpful and idiot-proof instructions!