How to Replace a Electrical Panel
Electrical panels are located in basements, garages, and utility rooms. They form the foundation of your home's electrical system. An electrical panel is a large, gray box with rows and rows of switches. It is used to control electricity in your house for all the appliances. This is where you can also add more circuits should you need them. There are many things to consider when tackling this project, whether your home is overcrowded or you are looking to upgrade.
Breakers for Frequently Tripped Objects
The electrical panel in your home may not be able to handle the power needed for modern appliances and electronics. The outdated electrical panel in your home can cause fires, overheating or other safety problems.
The front of the electric breaker will have a number which indicates what area the breaker serves. If you open the electrical panel doors in your basement garage or utility rooms, you can check the index. If the panel is not indexed, or if there are metal frayed or burned wires on your existing breakers, you should call a professional to replace it and add an extra electrical circuit.
It is a good idea for you to obtain a license before beginning any electrical project in your house, including the replacement of an old electrical panel. This will allow you to avoid fines, and ensure that your work does not run afoul with the local building code. Licensed electricians know all the rules and laws in your area.
Turn the reset switch to the OFF (OFF) position before starting. Remove the screw that is holding the coverplate. Take care not to drop this screw. For the corner screws you may have to use an extended screwdriver. Once the cover has been removed, locate the breaker which needs to be changed and switch it into the OFF position. Untangle carefully the black insulated wire attached to the breaker. Using a screwdriver, loosen two screws on the middle plate and keep the cover in place so it doesn't fall as you remove corner screws.
If you need to add a circuit breaker, make sure it's the right one for your panel. Circuit breakers can only be used with certain panels, so you need to make sure that the breaker is compatible. Square D and Homeline panels accept only the breaker type that is designed for their panel. Although you may be able to fit some breaker styles into other panels, it is unlikely that they will fit correctly. They could also cause an unsafe electrical connection.
Once you've located a breaker that will fit in the available space, carefully place it into the panel. After pushing the breaker into the clip holder, align it with your bus bar and connect. Replace any other breaker by repeating the same process.
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Electrical panels are located in basements, garages, and utility rooms. They form the foundation of your home's electrical system. An electrical panel is a large, gray box with rows and rows of switches. It is used to control electricity in your house for all the appliances. This is where you can also add more circuits…