How to Hook Up an Electrical Circuit Breaker
- 1). Test your test light by probing a circuit that is known to be working. Replace the test light if it does not illuminate.
- 2). Switch off the main breaker at the top of the panel.
- 3). Remove the screws that secure the panel cover. Carefully pull the panel cover off. Do not let the cover fall and damage the existing breakers
- 4). Touch one lead from the test light to the screw on the side of an existing breaker. Touch the other lead to the ground bus bar. The ground bus bar is a long metal bar that has both white and bare wires attached. Check the light to ensure that the power is off. Test the remaining breakers.
- 5). Push in a knockout with a screwdriver on the side of the panel. Insert a cable clamp and tighten the lock nut. Pull the wire through the cable clamp. Tighten the screws on the clamp.
- 6). Loosen two screws on the ground bus bar that are free of wires. Insert the end of the bare ground wire under a screw. Tighten the screw. Strip a half inch of insulation off the white neutral wire. Attach the white wire to the remaining screw in the same manner.
- 7). Strip a half inch of insulation off the black wire. Loosen the screw on the new electrical circuit breaker. Insert the bare end of the black wire in the slot. Tighten the screw.
- 8). Align the tab on the breaker with the hook in the panel. Push the breaker toward the panel until it snaps into place. Ensure that it is even with the neighboring breakers.
- 9). Switch the main breaker on. Switch the new breaker on. Test for power on the new breaker using your test light.
- 10
Remove the corresponding rectangular knockout from the panel cover. Twist it back and forth with pliers until it is free. Place the panel cover back on. - 11
Locate a receptacle on the circuit that was just installed. Place one lead from your test light in each slot to ensure that there is power.
