How To Replace Or Move A Circuit Breaker

Рет қаралды 412,911

Жыл бұрын

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I will run through a few tips associated with removing and replacing circuit breakers in common residential electrical panels. If you do not feel safe performing this work yourself please call in a licensed electrician.
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Пікірлер: 262

@roquestrongo Жыл бұрын

Breaker in ON position and using an uninsolated Screwdriver to detach the wire .... what a pro

@MrRickSpringfield Жыл бұрын

with finger on the metal shaft... i had a mini heart attach watching that

@myria2834 Жыл бұрын

Amazing what is completely safe to do when you have already turned off the main circuit breaker at the top of the panel.

@roquestrongo Жыл бұрын

@@myria2834 no matter if the circuit is disconnected or live, insulated and voltage rated tools are a basic requirement. Just imagine there's some appliance with a huge capacitor connected to the circuit that guy is grounding with his fingertip. Even worse if you give a f... about safety regulations is showing it to an audience that might not know what they are doing and get electrocuted.

@gatsbylight4766 11 ай бұрын

@@myria2834 - Amazing what is completely *not safe* to do when you *never told your audience to always turn off the main breaker* _"at the top of the panel"_ even though many people have their main breaker at the *bottom* of the panel.

@paulgreenhough1910 11 ай бұрын

but, dont forget it is a failed breaker. this guy bugs me endlessly

@matttyler390 Жыл бұрын

Always turn off the breaker before you take the wire off . If there is a load on inside the house you will get an arch or spark

@rickschroeder4703 Жыл бұрын

You took the words right out of my mouth.

@danielherman9483 Жыл бұрын

Also just for general safety. Looks like his finger is on the metal of that screwdriver, and that's hot when it's touching that screw. If you brush up against anything that's grounded or otherwise become a path back to the source, you're going to have a bad time.

@esparka Жыл бұрын

ZZZZZZZZZZZAAAPPPPP!

@Faddnn Жыл бұрын

He is even touching the screwdriver with no insulation. That is why you should have professionals doing work like this.

@myria2834 Жыл бұрын

Did you all forget about the main circuit breaker? The one at the top of the box that controls all power to the entire house? If you have put yourself in a situation where the individual breaker you are removing still being switched on is a shock hazard, you seriously fu*ked up long before you removed the panel cover.

@festivemexican7324 Жыл бұрын

Breaker on ✅️ Uninsulated screw driver✅️ Touching metal on screwdriver ✅️ Luckily not grounded ✅️

@myria2834 11 ай бұрын

Mains breaker switch not in frame ✅️

@festivemexican7324 11 ай бұрын

@myria2834 it's there at the bottom. Even if it is off you don't want to be touching a conductor

@The_dislike_guy 10 ай бұрын

Also cant even identify a single pole QO breaker…..

@wizcombo 8 ай бұрын

Make a video and post it so that we can learn the “proper way”

@bofh139 7 ай бұрын

@@myria2834 But you should switch off ALL the breakers before the Mains breaks.

@Jack_E_Brown Жыл бұрын

I was taught to turn off the breaker, disconnect if from the panel, then unscrew the wire from the terminal.

@emiliohuerta2658 Жыл бұрын

you were taught, he wasn't

@myria2834 11 ай бұрын

I was taught to turn off mains power before removing the panel cover.

@Riless42 11 ай бұрын

You were taught correctly. I use a meter if it’s an older house that’s been remodeled. I got bit once as an apprentice, when some one did a homeowner special and connected 2 circuits and didn’t know it because they happened to be on the same phase. So one breaker back fed the other.

@Blueraspberryguy 10 ай бұрын

I was thinking the same thing, turn off and pull off (in one move if your good) then unscrew

@CajunReaper95 9 ай бұрын

Haven’t you thought maybe just maybe he turned off the main breaker killing power to the panel entirely?

@retiredarmyvet2018 Жыл бұрын

After 45 years on this planet, I can guarantee it is never a one trip project.

@mrbcam2 Жыл бұрын

@Kevin-mp5of anymore just take a picture with your phone

@mrbcam2 Жыл бұрын

Old people, that's who!

@GDanielCho 11 ай бұрын

@@Kevin-mp5of one trip? you living in fantasy land my friend

@TruongLe-eo8kh 4 ай бұрын

My hot water slab leak 4 months ago, I made friends with the guy at the plumbing isle after so 2 days and countless trips. I used PEX B and sharkbite fitting.

@grege9862 Жыл бұрын

Yeah, that looks really safe, removing a hot wire while the breaker is still on.

@myria2834 Жыл бұрын

If you are worried about the individual circuit breakers being on, never service your electrical panel yourself. There is a main breaker at the top of the panel, and in many cases a mains cutoff switch outside. Those are the switches you should be turning off before touching wires in that box, not the individual hot wire of the breaker you are removing.

@bb55555555 Жыл бұрын

agreed. he should have turned it off first. not safe that way.

@MessyPointedBlob 6 ай бұрын

@@myria2834 Heh, in my condo, all the units do not have a main breaker in our panels. Instead the main breaker is in the electrical room 100 yards away. 1960s electrical code is a wild thing.

@swankshire6939 Жыл бұрын

Did you really turn off the breaker AFTER unscrewing it? Just delete this and redo it

@raffi2287 Жыл бұрын

Main breaker is off, id recommend deleting your own comment instead

@tesmith47 Жыл бұрын

you did not say the main was off@@raffi2287

@chrisminblkdiamond Жыл бұрын

Don't teach anyone how to do this ever again. You're going to kill someone.

@cameronwillford9855 10 ай бұрын

he just might 😂

@myria2834 Жыл бұрын

Has everyone forgotten about the existence of the main circuit breaker? You know, the one at the top of the panel, out of view of the camera? The one you actually need to shut off for safety before replacing a circuit breaker? Turning the dead breaker off before removing the wire doesn't matter when you have already shut off power to the entire panel.

@mikeofalltrades69 11 ай бұрын

I do this type of work all the time but I always turn off the breaker before handling the hot conductor.

@ptg01 Жыл бұрын

This is perfect for an electrical incident... GEEZ....

@Jsizzle9109 Жыл бұрын

I'm Not sure why you didn't turn off the breaker first before removing the conductor, especially for demonstration/instructional purposes. I'm sorry but this video needs to be removed or edited before someone who doesn't know better tries this and gets hurts. Not trying to hate on your hard work, Just being honest...

@hansguthrie5153 Жыл бұрын

This 100%

@cakekomo Жыл бұрын

And when you go to the store, buy an extra for a spare for the next failure.

@ericmoore9007 Жыл бұрын

Maybe check prints as well to make sure it is the right breaker installed in the first place

@ElectricianMagician 11 ай бұрын

Who's got prints, my man? C'mon....

@Krankie_V 9 ай бұрын

There should be a label in the panel stating which circuit breaker models are acceptable for use in the panel. In most cases, just taking note of that should be fine, and safer than leaving a breaker removed from a live panel.

@awakenedtotruth8419 6 ай бұрын

Sq D also has a long and short version that clamps onto the bus bar. If you don't have the defective breaker as a reference, then remember that the long version will work in both panels, which will get you by for the nigjt until you can get the correct breaker.

@ELPELONLOKOTE13 Жыл бұрын

Yup that happened to me the first time I changed one of this I ordered it online and when they delivered it was the one with just one clip not two.. good video 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

@jumping438 Жыл бұрын

Wait, did he unscrew the load wire BEFORE turning off the breaker!?! 😂😂😂 Gotta be intentional for a laugh or comments.

@bb55555555 Жыл бұрын

agreed this is not safe the way he did it. However he is right that it is a good idea to take the breaker with you when getting a replacement. But all you really have to do is take a picture of the product id that is printed on top of the breaker even though it's small.

@joesutherland7306 4 ай бұрын

I guess using your smart phone and snapping a picture is far too complicated?

@bradlemmond Жыл бұрын

I have a panel in my basement from a brand that no longer builds panels and breakers. I read online about what was compatible (but there was something confusing or unclear about what 9 could find). I didn't even think to take an old one.

@user-ec8ku3fj4b 11 ай бұрын

And this is why there's Electricians that should be doing this!!!

@beachbums2008 Жыл бұрын

did you turn off trip the MAIN break off and test for power before you took the failed sub breakers out of the electric box. Safety first

@Harrison2253 10 ай бұрын

Great instructional video ! Show people how to change a breaker with out turning it off first 👍 Also you can’t “rock” the breaker out it “pulls” out from the buss side first then the other end of the breaker that clips into the metal bar. Once the buss end is free you can grab the breaker with two fingers and pull it out.

@CajunReaper95 9 ай бұрын

Wait til you find out that houses have main breakers 1 on the outside and one in the panel in the house 😱

@williamgunter6801 9 ай бұрын

Square D QO breakers. The most reliable commercial panels and circuit breakers.👍

@george10R11 Жыл бұрын

is this an advertisement for a funeral home

@heroknaderi 11 ай бұрын

Good info 😎😎

@sebastianriz4703 Жыл бұрын

Not an electrician but wouldnt you just turn off the breaker before removing the live wire? Its busto sure but shit can still happen?

@rollandjoeseph 11 ай бұрын

Would you turn off your main power switch in the breaker box before working in it?

@donwolfjr1 11 ай бұрын

Hey Scott, I'm doing a run in my attic of three outlets and a switch! is it possible to have just one of those outlets controlled by the switch?? I'm in the process of rewiring my entire house and I can't seem to find a diagram for this! I'm hoping you'll be able to help me with this! Thanks, bud! Don W.

@Jin420 Жыл бұрын

I keep old breaker parts in case my electrician or anyone else I know ever needs a part... (Recently moved to a rural area where many houses still haven't fully upgraded -- or at least it seems that way, imo) Why not turn it off first though?? 🤔

@TomCee53 Жыл бұрын

If it’s faulty, always mark it as such, or throw it out. Minimizes frustration the next time.

@stephennessler1895 11 ай бұрын

This is a smart idea on other projects you do as well so your not running back and forth wasting your time and daylight.

@ethelryan257 7 ай бұрын

As an electrician, I'm not keen on DIY work beyond changing out cover plates. After turning off the circuit breaker.... That said, he always mentions that he's turned off power to the breaker box and it is a very good idea to replace like with like.

@zoki.to974 11 ай бұрын

yup, disconnect wire wile holding screw driver for the metal part, remove breaker then turn it off... luckily main breaker was off so we can see all this...

@Nic7320 11 ай бұрын

GE panels have an excluder bar on the stab to prevent other brands from being inserted in their panels. Square D does not.

@stephenotto2294 11 ай бұрын

One turn kff the breaker before you disconnect the wire. 2 get a set of 1000v insulated screwdrivers to use in panels. And keep your finger away from the shaft of the screwdriver all it would take is you to touch the case of the panel and youll be electrocuted. And you can know and tell thats a qo breaker just from the yellow square on it

@CajunReaper95 9 ай бұрын

Dude use your brain and think before making a comment he probably turned off his main breaker killing the entire power to the house.

@stephenotto2294 9 ай бұрын

@@CajunReaper95 you would be surprissed how many people do not thinking they are being careful

@RangerSparx 11 ай бұрын

This is what you get when Mr. Handyman starts trying to make informational videos.

@davidhamm5626 6 ай бұрын

mine has a breaker at the top, it is easy to get to before going in to do any work.

@HamRadioAlaska 8 ай бұрын

NEVER loosen the screw when the breaker is on...even if it has failed! Turn the breaker off...verify there is no power to the conductor/screw!

@kuanica6585 11 ай бұрын

3rd trip is the charm.

@BlackenedEclipse 11 ай бұрын

Please… always shut off the power if at all possible, my uncle would’ve still been here if he would’ve done it.. and he was actually safe driven just got complacent on that day and it costed him his life. Great breakdown on the different types of breaker style D-Home makes.

@scottapt5291 11 ай бұрын

If you don't thoroughly know all of the hazzards involved in doing this work, do not attempt it. You are dealing with something you can't detect without proper equipment and although you might only get a small jolt to alert you to your mistake, it has the potential to end your life if the conditions are right. You need to be aware of your clothing and shoes, are you damp or wet, what are you leaning against or touching? All of these concerns and many more need to be considered and trained electricians are taught to assess this before engaging in this kind of work. Even trained electricians are encouraged to turn off power when possible to minimize the hazzards and variables involved. As a rule, I always work on things as though they are HOT as to not employ any bad habits, you don't want to get sloppy and have to remember the state of the power at the wrong time.

@iwontliveinfear Жыл бұрын

What is the post from the bus bar that the breaker attaches to has been slagged?

@Sylvan_dB Жыл бұрын

Then that spot is no longer usable. A blank plate can be installed in the panel cover.

@brothermine2292 Жыл бұрын

You might want to more clearly describe what you mean by "slagged." If you mean crud has melted onto it, my thought would be to scrape it off and then polish the bar smooth. Afterward, an infrared sensor could be used to check whether it gets hot due to rough spots that cause poor contact with the breaker's connector.

@iwontliveinfear Жыл бұрын

@@brothermine2292 I mean the tab coming off of the bus bar that the breaker attaches to was reduced to slag. As in I have no idea how power was being conducted to and through the breaker. I discovered this when I had to rearrange my panel to make room for 3 80a 220v circuits to power my new electric tankless water heater. I know power was being conducted because it was the breaker to the air handler for my A/C. But when I pulled the breaker the contacts in the breaker were black and the post looked like a little puddle of forge scale. It was maybe 1mm from touching the post below it from the other bus bar, which I assume would have been bad. I turned off my main, and was able to remove the slag with very little effort.

@iwontliveinfear Жыл бұрын

@@Sylvan_dB I assume I can get those at my local home important big box store, I'll check tomorrow, that seems a lot safer than just having an open slot in the box.

@Sylvan_dB Жыл бұрын

@@iwontliveinfear Definitely. I've purchased "filler plates" at the big orange box store. Probably the big blue has them as well. Note your breaker type or at least if they are 3/4 inch or 1 inch wide.

@stevenpederson1645 6 ай бұрын

You might have a Zinsco, or a Westinghouse panel too.

@roberttempleton8112 11 ай бұрын

How long have been doing electrical work these QO an home line breakers look totally different

@tsizzle12345323 10 ай бұрын

Doesn't even turn the breaker off. What a cowboy.

@namibjDerEchte 11 ай бұрын

From a German POV, it's plain weird for breakers to be vendor-locked. Our bus bars are just fanned out as push-i n crimp connectors you tighten a screw on (those 2-prong fork shaped ones), but it's not rare to not have a bus bar and just use wires directly, as many breaker panels don't cover enough separate circuits to make the bus bar really worth it. (Remember, normal circuits here are 10-16A breakers at 240V, and people don't generally live in giant single-tenant houses.)

@whatwasisaying 11 ай бұрын

Question. If it is against code to connect more than one conductor to the circuit breaker, why do they construct the circuit breakers to take two conductors?

@geoffh1 7 ай бұрын

It's not against code, IF and only IF the breaker is listed for two conductors.

@10Flat 9 ай бұрын

When buying the Square D QO breakers. I Look for a red flag in the window. It’s usually indicates it hasn’t been used or returned. Yes it could be tripped but if I look into a case of breakers and their all red. I like the odds.

@johnbalzano6588 9 ай бұрын

You can "trip" QO breakers while they are out of the load center. With the breaker in the on position. Grasp it by the panel connection side of the breaker, swiftly and frimly bump it into the heal of your other hand . Like a baseball into a mitt. Should hear a click, handle will move to center and flag should be red.

@andylooney6830 11 ай бұрын

How about turning off the breaker before you remove the wire

@chrisivandadorf 11 ай бұрын

i like how he is touching the blank unisolated screw driver and than seconds after carefully removing the wire by not touching it....

@gregregister7334 Жыл бұрын

You should TURN OFF BREAKER before unscrewing wire

@mikehedrick6544 Жыл бұрын

Common sense?

@inspectormills3290 6 ай бұрын

No. Just make 14 trips like I do for every project

@ida4587 7 ай бұрын

Why did you leave the rest on? That looks dangerous? I don't know much about electricity so maybe someone can explain.

@marks6385 6 ай бұрын

Why not turn off the breaker before disconnecting the wire?

@michman2 Жыл бұрын

Beware, there are counterfeit breakers on the market.

@jtajz42 7 ай бұрын

You're wrong they make three kinds of Breakers qo homeline and qob which stands for bolt in breaker which is in the industrial application

@john4kc Жыл бұрын

Always check the comments for the REAL way to do jobs like this. This video is horrible advice as far as any kind of safety is concerned.

@joesutherland7306 4 ай бұрын

I wonder how many people get injured watching some of these "Pros"?

@josephbarker91 4 ай бұрын

What if you can't find the right one?

@TomCee53 Жыл бұрын

The panel should also have a label stating which types are compatible. Just because someone put it in there doesn’t mean it’s the right one.

@RandSheets Жыл бұрын

I'm sure you turned the main breaker off before shooting this but neglecting to show that in a how-to video is almost criminal. You could get someone killed.

@jibraelshahid5336 4 ай бұрын

That breaker you could take a picture of or you know that homeline doesn't look anything like that breaker

@my1little2pony 11 ай бұрын

Of you cant decifer the difference between bolt on and push on leave it be.

@bb55555555 Жыл бұрын

now here's the real question. The only time I've ever seen a failed breaker is on a house that's 50 years old. How often do these modern breakers fail?

@claytongetz6362 6 ай бұрын

You obviously haven't been around😅😅😅

@bb55555555 6 ай бұрын

@@claytongetz6362 that often? really! I admit I am not an electrician but I had no idea.

@erickmeza9190 11 ай бұрын

Just a quick tip you should always turn off a breaker off before you remove the wire off it I hope that sink in ...!!!

@dracwula 3 ай бұрын

Yeah, I'm a old timer, this was my first experience, I learn that the hard way...lost some time and money.

@billellington9754 Жыл бұрын

He could have rested his other hand against the neutral bus to stabilize his screw driver.

@michaelrevoire2266 Жыл бұрын

why didn't anyone notice that he had his finger touching the metal part of the screwdriver while loosening the screw AND before turning the breaker off. We had a guy like that at work and we called him Sparky. It would be very entertaining to watch him work every day.

@2212funkyfresh 11 ай бұрын

Why did you turn it off first bro?

@billmilligan1705 9 ай бұрын

This is so antiquated. Everywhere else uses DIN rails and RCDs, MCBs, MCBOs, surge protector and neutral fault protector are interchangeable between manufacturers. In such an antiquated panel I would play safe and install a fire suppressor pack

@claytongetz6362 6 ай бұрын

This is U.S.A.🇺🇸

@billmilligan1705 6 ай бұрын

@@claytongetz6362 In situations where there might be a serious fault I would play it safe. A fire suppressor pack is $70 and has a life of 20 years. Given the choice of possibly losing life and everything you own and not spending $70. What would you do? Everywhere else all appliances that have to do with heating water or could come in contact with a person e.g hot air heating it is mandatory to have an RCBO fitted.

@robertgift6762 6 ай бұрын

I ain’t never turn off no Main Breaker beforeplacing a breaker. Messes everything in the house up.

@matthewcanavan8275 Жыл бұрын

Scary turn the breaker off first

@michaeldavid2894 11 ай бұрын

Don't listen to this guy is using insulated screwdrivers inside of a energized panel leave this to the professionals you're they're not one so don't work in the panel

@mikwayh1 11 ай бұрын

I'm not listening to anyone who puts the conductors on the wrong side of the screw.

@SIE44TAR Жыл бұрын

Bad advice!!! Turn the breaker off FIRST!!!

@wt9653 Ай бұрын

Wait until the power company comes and disconnect the house.😊

@_Depp122 11 ай бұрын

why would you take the wire off the breaker with the breaker on ? that is totally dangerous to someone who has no idea what they are doing. Turn off the breaker and then unscrew the wire, if you touched anything with that screwdriver when you were loosening it you wouldve welded that screwdriver to whatever you touched

@christraudt6730 7 ай бұрын

guys he turned the main disconnect off outside. this DIYer didn’t even open the panel cover until the panel was dead lol

@claytongetz6362 6 ай бұрын

But he had plenty of light to make the video😅

@mannys9130 Жыл бұрын

Never replace a breaker before you buy a torque wrench or torque screwdriver to properly tighten the terminal. This is the most overlooked part of replacing a breaker, and it's wayyyyyy more important when you move up to stranded wires. You absolutely **MUST** do a torque-wiggle cycle 3 times with stranded wire using a torque measuring device, no exceptions. The torque is printed on the breaker somewhere.

@babushkaboi7288 Жыл бұрын

@mr.g937 Жыл бұрын

You're probably right, but I guarantee not a single electrician anywhere is doing that.

@greggpurviance7252 Жыл бұрын

Torque requirements are in the new code but electricians did it be feel for decades & decades. Almost no failures from wrong torque, seen it when someone forgot to tighten, but that can happen with a high dollar torque screw driver. Ps stranded wire is not "moving up." It is easier to pull though

@TomCee53 Жыл бұрын

@@mr.g937I wouldn’t say nobody. Many electricians actually take recommendations to heart. And some actually care about quality.

@lucash1980 11 ай бұрын

Just give 'er till your wrist clicks. Guttentight! Slot screws are torque limiting. Don't like to see the Robertson screws on a breaker because you're more likely to strip the screw threads in the breaker if you go hulk on it.

@jeffreypekular9147 8 ай бұрын

Even if that breaker is bad, you’re gonna get somebody kill shut the main off

@darrylsouthard252 11 ай бұрын

Take a picture of the panel name and take a pic of the breaker What I always do and don’t have a problem Guess this is ok advice for someone who don’t know what there doing like a DYI person

@ottoroth9377 11 ай бұрын

Gotta know your distribution panels!

@gringoreno 9 ай бұрын

That breaker is only one white the red indicator that breaker has trip called qo visit trip

@genevandyke4088 7 ай бұрын

You should hav reshot the video after realizing you forgot to shut the breaker before removing the wire

@timhafley5177 2 ай бұрын

Take a pic with your phone.

@cameronwillford9855 10 ай бұрын

dude there’s not that many kinds of old breakers to memorize

@williamholsey 11 ай бұрын

Better question doofus why didn't you turn the breaker off before touching the terminal. Also square d makes several versions of the qo series including a bolt on.

@Lakeman3211 6 ай бұрын

Turn breaker off Rock breaker off buss bar Detach anchor Remove conductor In those orders….

@gregoryfoster2547 11 ай бұрын

for eveyone else turn the breaker off before taking off wiring.

@barnabybot 11 ай бұрын

Rests fingers on metal shaft of screwdriver. Dude is an accident waiting to happen.

@Wilsondan27 11 ай бұрын

He cut the breaker off after he took the wire off 😂😂😂 omggg do it before jack

@erickajander1139 11 ай бұрын

NOT an INSULATED SCREWDRIVER ! ! ...USE SHRINK TUBE ,...or ....wrap 1/2 lap with 2 cover wraps ...never use an exposed steel shank around live EQUIPMENT (ALWAYS ASSUME CIRCUIT IS LIVE )