That's great. This was the 3rd video I saw relating to replacing a circuit breaker, but it was the first one where a multi meter was used - not to check that the panel was dead for safety, but to check that breaker was faulty. He knew the panel was live. Other videos haven't covered this topic at all! Bravo! He then isolated the panel. I'm paranoid and would check the voltage on the circuit breaker before putting my hands on it, but I guess thats just me! Thanks for the video!
I am terrified to do this! But you made it look relatively simple. I have gone without basement lighting for 10 years because my ex hubby did'nt want to hire an electrician? You've given me the tools to try this myself. Thanks!
THIS VIDEO WAS VERY HELPFUL THANK YOU FOR BEING SO DETAILED, THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT MY SWITCH WONT STAY ON, I TURN IT OFF AND PUSH IT BACK TO ON BUT IT COMES RIGHT BACK TO THE MIDDLE AND ITS FOR MY DRYER, HOPEFULLY I AM ABLE TO FIX IT NOW WITH OUT PAYING SO MUCH FOR AN ELECTRICIAN TO COME OUT AND CHECK IT. THANKS AGAIN
happy to know it helped. Its called a digital multi-meter (DMM). you can find one at your local hardware store (e.g. ace, lowes, homedepot) or online (e.g. newegg, digikey, amazon etc...)
I see at least one problem with sticking with having to stick to the same breaker brand. I have seen where some breaker's are not made any more. Yes matching breakers are nice not always a option. When buying a replacement breaker. There are a like five thing to look at to get one that works. One is the voltage of the breaker, two is it a one or two pole breaker, three what is the breaker size, (please note that this is a letter or a number on the breaker.) Four is it arc-fault or gfI if it is one these these type you will have to replace with in kind rated breaker. The last thing is the apm rating. take the breaker with you. When go get the new one. to get as close a match as possible.
I sure thank you for this video. You did an outstanding job explaining this procedure. Question... how important is it to have the same brand of breaker that was removed?
Very helpful tutorial. Thanks! I need help trying to figure out a "no power situation" to switches. Here's the scenario: In the same circuit, all of the outlets have power and good wired-connections, but none the light/fan switches has power. No GFCI outlet fault or tripped circuit breaker.
Question: At 0:59 you stab the black lead of your voltmeter into the case and at 1:09 you touch the red lead to the hot screw on the circuit breaker. At that moment, does that cause the case to be a shock hazard if you were to accidentally touch it?
Very helpful video; I've never changed a breaker before. My only question is; shouldn't you mention that one should turn off all the breakers before shutting down the main switch, and keep the breakers off until main switch is turned back on? thank you
My lights in my bathroom work but my one bathroom outlet it's a gcfi stopped working this morning. I checked the breaker and it didn't trip. Could a bad breaker cause the outlet not to work but can still power bathroom lights? I already tried resting the gcfi outlet itself and then went and turn breaker off then back on and outlet still isn't working.
Just so you know the metal strip that you tested had 0 volts on it. That happens to be one of the two phases on that panel. The other phase could be energized when the one you tested was off. So just be aware there’s two wire strips of metal as you referred to them. One is Phase A and one is Phase B. It’s best to use a contactless voltage tester to ensure there’s no voltage. Good job on fixing your friends panel
Thanks for uploading this. I need to do the same repair job. (One of my switches broke after being switched into the off position.) Only I'm going to need to double-check the brand (which I'm fairly certain of, but I'd like to be at least 100% certain) and buy a multimeter.
So if you check the metal tab on the one side of the breaker for voltage and the wire on the opposite side of the breaker, the metal tab should have power, and if the wire does not then the breaker is no good I am assuming then right ?
Safety First! You should explain that you are working on a sub panel, and you did say that the panel was off!, Then shown 118v AC. But anyway, nice job.
The thing was in my basement I turned on the tv and suddly the powerbwent off and then we turned all the switch off and then turned it on but it still was not working what do you think the problem might be please help thank you
What happens if you have an older home - 1978 - without a main electric shutoff. ? Hate to ask electric company to cut service to my house, even for short time.
Hi, thanks for posting such a clear and helpful video! I do have a question, you say to make sure to match the brand of the new breaker to the previous one. Does the brand really matter if it the same type? Thanks again!
if its a replacement brand, then it will state its compatible with your current brand. For example, some Eaton breakers are compatible with Westinghouse, Challenger and Bryant. It states compatibility on the box. If its not compatible, then yes, it really matters.
While using my miter saw today, power tripped but not the breaker. All other outlets work. Was ready to replace the breaker but after doing your voltage test, I have voltage on all breakers. Before all this I even replaced the gfci outlet but it still gets no power. What else can it be?
I really liked your video. You did make a remark that it didn't matter which order the two same color wires went back on the switch. I think that's true but whatever is on each individual line would then be reversed I think.
+GmGarlo When your breaker gets over loaded with more current than it can handle, it pops open. Since the breaker is a mechanical device, it has a finite usage and will fail over time. There are better and more detail explanation when you google "how do circuit breakers fail"
+Matthew Ellis (Ellis Craft) lol. I guess CA doesnt use wire larger than 10 gauge then. You can use stranded wire on circuit breakers. an DIY tinker, you put the wires back the exact same way you found them or you throw off the panel schedule for those two circuits. MAJOR SAFETY VIOLATION: You should not have energized that circuit with the deadfront off, for all you knew the breaker failed due to a fault, a fault which wasnt fixed, which would have faulted again when you restored power, which could have blown up in your face. Work safe people. Put the deadfront back on, energize circuit. If it works, there is no need to take a voltage reading, and if it didnt, it takes all of a minute to pull the deadfront again.
Also I just noticed, that pink wire you are working with is stranded. I find that very strange. I don't think I've ever seen stranded wire in a breaker panel.
I have a switch to an outside outlet that everytime I turn it on from inside the house it kicks the breaker. I have changed out the switch and the outside outlet but did not help. Anything you can suggest I do.... Thanks in advance.
CT Anthony call an electrician! If you have to ask, there is to great a risk of injury. In short, pun intended, you have a short or fault in that circuit.
Hi i have a very odd issue..home electrical outlet not working....the outlet left of it works and outlet right of it works. The odd thing is when i removed the outlet cover and used a non contact tester, all the wires in the outlet are hot...the black and white are all testing hot....the outlet box tests hot too...there are 2'sets of wire in box....whats more odd is that i disconnected the wires and taped them off for now....and nothing in the,room lost power....a proper working outlet in series once disconnected should cuase,loss of power downstream...if any.....something is defintely wrong...the entire elec box and all wires should not be hot....no evidence of wires touching box that i can see.....havent looked in crawlspace yet....just inside elec box....any ideas?.....and if all terminals are hot.....what happens when you plug something intomthe outlet?
+NATE DOGG Totally agree! I don't know how much better someone would want an explanatory video like this to be?! They probably didn't like the screwdriver he was using or something stupid like that... just people being people, I guess.
be careful while probing. Be slow and cautious. Impatience and speed can ground positive and ground can cause sparks. Also put measuring tool in voltage mode, put leads in voltage terminals of DMM tool. Put leads in AMPS measuring holes by mistake, you will short it.
Maybe! Take the old one with you or very good pictures of the business ends. Unfortunately you can encounter some issues. 1) same brand sometimes have more than 1 style of breaker, 2) some brands are no longer made and thus you will need to match the replacement to your needs.
+CENTRA STUDIOS Both wires being red indicates that both wires are hot. When the breaker is flipped on the circuit will remain open until, for example, a light switch is turned on, closing the circuit. If there is to much power draw, like too many lights for example, the breaker will automatically 'break' the connection in an effort to prevent damage to any components. Usually it is a black and red combination of wires, but, if my assumptions are correct and this is an American house, the color code for 'hot' is both black and red. White being neutral and ground being the bare wire. Also the breaker looks kinda small so it might be something like a 10 or 15 amp. Enough for a living room.
A non contact voltage reader helps. To be honest an Electrician should be called!. You don't call the telephone repair person if your tooth hurts! IBEW ELECTRICIANS ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP AND ARE MORE THAN QUALIFIED TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION.
hey got news for all you people working on any load center. they are very dangerous even with the main off there still is power at the main breaker leads unless you have a disconnecting means either at the meter or a disconnect.you work in a load center with limit knowledge could mean your death or be burned think about that.
That's great. This was the 3rd video I saw relating to replacing a circuit breaker, but it was the first one where a multi meter was used - not to check that the panel was dead for safety, but to check that breaker was faulty. He knew the panel was live. Other videos haven't covered this topic at all! Bravo! He then isolated the panel. I'm paranoid and would check the voltage on the circuit breaker before putting my hands on it, but I guess thats just me! Thanks for the video!
I have watched other videos and none of them mentioned it should be the same brand, glad I watch this video before I bought a new one.
But the question is, Why does it have to be the same brand? As long as it's the same current rating, why the brand matter?
I am terrified to do this! But you made it look relatively simple. I have gone without basement lighting for 10 years because my ex hubby did'nt want to hire an electrician? You've given me the tools to try this myself. Thanks!
THIS VIDEO WAS VERY HELPFUL THANK YOU FOR BEING SO DETAILED, THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT MY SWITCH WONT STAY ON, I TURN IT OFF AND PUSH IT BACK TO ON BUT IT COMES RIGHT BACK TO THE MIDDLE AND ITS FOR MY DRYER, HOPEFULLY I AM ABLE TO FIX IT NOW WITH OUT PAYING SO MUCH FOR AN ELECTRICIAN TO COME OUT AND CHECK IT. THANKS AGAIN
I bet only people giving negative feedback are the electricians. Thanks a lot for this video great content
I never knew that fixing a circuit breaker would be this very easy.
I still dont know where to shut off the main power..is it on the beaker itself..or somwhere else in the house?
whoever wired that box is an artist
joshua ashford I worked as an electricians assistant for a little while, and that box sums up the standard of what was expected from us lol
It does meet the current standards
Whoever wired mine should be hung
Thx you sir i try!!
stunt509 😁
Great vid. I appreciate that you pointed out to make sure that the box is not live. Also you explained easily how to navigate through the circuit box.
happy to know it helped. Its called a digital multi-meter (DMM). you can find one at your local hardware store (e.g. ace, lowes, homedepot) or online (e.g. newegg, digikey, amazon etc...)
I see at least one problem with sticking with having to stick to the same breaker brand. I have seen where some breaker's are not made any more. Yes matching breakers are nice not always a option. When buying a replacement breaker. There are a like five thing to look at to get one that works. One is the voltage of the breaker, two is it a one or two pole breaker, three what is the breaker size, (please note that this is a letter or a number on the breaker.) Four is it arc-fault or gfI if it is one these these type you will have to replace with in kind rated breaker. The last thing is the apm rating. take the breaker with you. When go get the new one. to get as close a match as possible.
*breakers an* option
Where would I get a replacement breaker from?
I sure thank you for this video. You did an outstanding job explaining this procedure. Question... how important is it to have the same brand of breaker that was removed?
Omg that electrical panel was made for the heavens so neat😂👌🏼
Best breaker replacement video
Very helpful tutorial. Thanks! I need help trying to figure out a "no power situation" to switches. Here's the scenario: In the same circuit, all of the outlets have power and good wired-connections, but none the light/fan switches has power. No GFCI outlet fault or tripped circuit breaker.
Nice job. For those giving neg comments those r the ones who hate u teaching this because it cuts thier work
What is the course name about electrcal control panel repair ,fix and maintenance
Question: At 0:59 you stab the black lead of your voltmeter into the case and at 1:09 you touch the red lead to the hot screw on the circuit breaker. At that moment, does that cause the case to be a shock hazard if you were to accidentally touch it?
Very helpful video; I've never changed a breaker before. My only question is; shouldn't you mention that one should turn off all the breakers before shutting down the main switch, and keep the breakers off until main switch is turned back on? thank you
My lights in my bathroom work but my one bathroom outlet it's a gcfi stopped working this morning. I checked the breaker and it didn't trip. Could a bad breaker cause the outlet not to work but can still power bathroom lights? I already tried resting the gcfi outlet itself and then went and turn breaker off then back on and outlet still isn't working.
MY. GOODNESS. YOU MAKE. MORE SENSE THAN. MEAN. TEACHERS!!!!! :-). Good. Job. Keep. It. Up
Is it possible for multiple breakers to fail like this at the same time? From a possible surge or something?
FYI it does! matter which wire goes to which terminal. Its nice to know what each wire is feeding which circuit.
Thanks dude. This is going to save me a few dollars.
I found the video very informative and will watch this again. Thanks for taking the time to post this video.
OMG...You are my new best friend!!!! Thank you SO MUCH!
Just so you know the metal strip that you tested had 0 volts on it. That happens to be one of the two phases on that panel. The other phase could be energized when the one you tested was off. So just be aware there’s two wire strips of metal as you referred to them. One is Phase A and one is Phase B. It’s best to use a contactless voltage tester to ensure there’s no voltage. Good job on fixing your friends panel
Thanks for uploading this. I need to do the same repair job. (One of my switches broke after being switched into the off position.) Only I'm going to need to double-check the brand (which I'm fairly certain of, but I'd like to be at least 100% certain) and buy a multimeter.
I tried this and it really worked. Thank you.
Why is the circite breaker for bedrooms plugs are different from the rest? kind of bigger and more complecated!
Used this vid to solve my no power outlet problem. Thank you very much.
What do you do when the breaker that you're replacing is melted onto the busbar and you can't get it out, as often times they are?
So if you check the metal tab on the one side of the breaker for voltage and the wire on the opposite side of the breaker, the metal tab should have power, and if the wire does not then the breaker is no good I am assuming then right ?
Safety First!
You should explain that you are working on a sub panel, and you did say that the panel was off!, Then shown 118v AC. But anyway, nice job.
I would like tell you thank you your video was very beneficial to help me change my break her out.
The thing was in my basement I turned on the tv and suddly the powerbwent off and then we turned all the switch off and then turned it on but it still was not working what do you think the problem might be please help thank you
What happens if you have an older home - 1978 - without a main electric shutoff. ? Hate to ask electric company to cut service to my house, even for short time.
@ 0:50 i connected it to the housing. The housing is connected to neutral bar, which is also connected to ground. hope that helps :)
Hi, thanks for posting such a clear and helpful video! I do have a question, you say to make sure to match the brand of the new breaker to the previous one. Does the brand really matter if it the same type? Thanks again!
if its a replacement brand, then it will state its compatible with your current brand. For example, some Eaton breakers are compatible with Westinghouse, Challenger and Bryant. It states compatibility on the box.
If its not compatible, then yes, it really matters.
Thank you!
DIY Tinker What box?
joe doe The box the new breakers come in. :-)
While using my miter saw today, power tripped but not the breaker. All other outlets work. Was ready to replace the breaker but after doing your voltage test, I have voltage on all breakers. Before all this I even replaced the gfci outlet but it still gets no power. What else can it be?
please tell me light circuit,are separeted from outlet circut,or they get in same circuit?
light circuits can be on an outlet circuit. it depends on how the house is wired.
I really liked your video. You did make a remark that it didn't matter which order the two same color wires went back on the switch. I think that's true but whatever is on each individual line would then be reversed I think.
How do you know how many amps a circuit breaker is? None of mine are marked.
Hi, You have discussed some important things in this "how to repair replace broken circuit breaker" video
what causes an arc fault ? is it old switches or receptacles or loose connections , would like your imput on this please.
+GmGarlo When your breaker gets over loaded with more current than it can handle, it pops open. Since the breaker is a mechanical device, it has a finite usage and will fail over time. There are better and more detail explanation when you google "how do circuit breakers fail"
yes I would please
loose connection
DUDE... Has anyone ever told you that your voice sounds EXACTLY like Phillip Seymour Hoffman???
Thanks! I dont have a friend like you who knows how to replace a breaker so I will do it myself. I assumed it would be scary but I think I can do it.
Maria Madrid hahahahahaah
Question: If you're very careful, why could you not replace the circuit breaker without turning off the main power?
Can I go to a store like Lowes or Home Depot and buy a new breaker, or do I have to use Amazon or some other online store?
+Rhiorrha you can go to lowes or homedepot. i recommend reading review comments on Amazon.
Will the electrician still be able to find replaceable circuit breakers if your house was built in 1965?
Where was the main breaker located???
A GREAT VIDEO SIR. RIGHT TO THE POINT CRISTAL CLEAR AND THE WAY IT SHOULD BE DONE . THANK YOU YOU WERE VERY HELPFULL ! ! !
Stranded wire? Is this acceptable? We only use solid in California
+Matthew Ellis (Ellis Craft) lol. I guess CA doesnt use wire larger than 10 gauge then. You can use stranded wire on circuit breakers.
an DIY tinker, you put the wires back the exact same way you found them or you throw off the panel schedule for those two circuits.
MAJOR SAFETY VIOLATION:
You should not have energized that circuit with the deadfront off, for all you knew the breaker failed due to a fault, a fault which wasnt fixed, which would have faulted again when you restored power, which could have blown up in your face. Work safe people. Put the deadfront back on, energize circuit. If it works, there is no need to take a voltage reading, and if it didnt, it takes all of a minute to pull the deadfront again.
Great video, very clear, thank you so much.
Simplest and the most practical vid ;) THX!!
Also I just noticed, that pink wire you are working with is stranded. I find that very strange. I don't think I've ever seen stranded wire in a breaker panel.
i agree. not too sure why stranded wires are used.
Very good video, helped me to remember how to do it right. Thanks man!!!
I have a switch to an outside outlet that everytime I turn it on from inside the house it kicks the breaker. I have changed out the switch and the outside outlet but did not help.
Anything you can suggest I do.... Thanks in advance.
CT Anthony call an electrician! If you have to ask, there is to great a risk of injury.
In short, pun intended, you have a short or fault in that circuit.
Very helpful. Thank you. And I subscribed because you know how to instruct.
Thank you for explaining the multimeter setting
Why didnt you show were you put the wire in to?
So what happens if you replace the breaker AND the GFI outlet and the shit still doesn't work?
why does the brand matter if it fits cleanly?
Was that stranded wire
Can anyone tell me how i would go about shutting off the power to my breaker panel, if I live in an apartment complex.
Hi i have a very odd issue..home electrical outlet not working....the outlet left of it works and outlet right of it works. The odd thing is when i removed the outlet cover and used a non contact tester, all the wires in the outlet are hot...the black and white are all testing hot....the outlet box tests hot too...there are 2'sets of wire in box....whats more odd is that i disconnected the wires and taped them off for now....and nothing in the,room lost power....a proper working outlet in series once disconnected should cuase,loss of power downstream...if any.....something is defintely wrong...the entire elec box and all wires should not be hot....no evidence of wires touching box that i can see.....havent looked in crawlspace yet....just inside elec box....any ideas?.....and if all terminals are hot.....what happens when you plug something intomthe outlet?
Nice video for us novices....
Neutral is not the same as the ground! (You used the terms interchangeably at about 1:00 into the video.)
Especially not the same on a sub-panel.
great video dont understand how you got thumbs down when it helps people out
+NATE DOGG Totally agree! I don't know how much better someone would want an explanatory video like this to be?! They probably didn't like the screwdriver he was using or something stupid like that... just people being people, I guess.
Thank you. Exactly what I need to solve similar problem.
Very useful video. Thanks!
...and NEVER hit it with a hammer!!!!
Just kidding.... ...no really.... don't.
Seriously... good video.
it was in a different room. in a box that only had a main power switch in it.
where is the main switch usually located in 15 yr old condo ? thanks
In a closet.
be careful while probing. Be slow and cautious. Impatience and speed can ground positive and ground can cause sparks. Also put measuring tool in voltage mode, put leads in voltage terminals of DMM tool. Put leads in AMPS measuring holes by mistake, you will short it.
I have power going to the box but none of the breakers work all dead. How can every breaker be dead?
what kind of meter?
You use multi strand wire on home wiring? Never seen that.
I never seen that either. Its a friends place in Ohio. Is that up to code there? anyone?
+DIY Tinker What do you mean multi-strand?
Stranded copper wire VS solid wire.
Never seen using stranded wire for home instalations.
Thank you. Very helpful.
Thanks for the great tips
so the only specs you have to look for on replacing a breaker are , the same brand of breaker and same amp size .
+GmGarlo yep.
Maybe! Take the old one with you or very good pictures of the business ends. Unfortunately you can encounter some issues. 1) same brand sometimes have more than 1 style of breaker, 2) some brands are no longer made and thus you will need to match the replacement to your needs.
Nice video! but why not just turn off the C.B. you are working on and not the main?
You would still have power coming in the wire presenting a shock hazard
very practical video, thank you...
You didn't explain what wire you where pulling in and out. Like black or red but yours were red and red.
+CENTRA STUDIOS
Both wires being red indicates that both wires are hot. When the breaker is flipped on the circuit will remain open until, for example, a light switch is turned on, closing the circuit. If there is to much power draw, like too many lights for example, the breaker will automatically 'break' the connection in an effort to prevent damage to any components. Usually it is a black and red combination of wires, but, if my assumptions are correct and this is an American house, the color code for 'hot' is both black and red. White being neutral and ground being the bare wire.
Also the breaker looks kinda small so it might be something like a 10 or 15 amp. Enough for a living room.
CENTRA STUDIOS there both hot suppost you use different colors there are separate circuits
very nice job thank you for your time and knowledge.
What Was The Beeping In The Background When You Shut Off The Power?
it was the home alarm using the backup battery.
what if theres no electricity coming for either the wires?
awesome video thank you for your work
Thanks for posting!
Couldn’t you just turn off the one breaker’s power rather than the whole breaker box?
this video is for experts who know what they are doing.
Great video👍
Hello There,
You video is very sensible one. Wow superb
Beautiful! Many thanks!
Thanks for the video!
Very easy great video..thanks
A non contact voltage reader helps. To be honest an Electrician should be called!. You don't call the telephone repair person if your tooth hurts!
IBEW ELECTRICIANS ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP AND ARE MORE THAN QUALIFIED TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION.
And I don't go to the dentist to get my teeth brushed.
No one wants to call an electrician for something that takes 10 minutes and get charged $300
hey got news for all you people working on any load center. they are very dangerous even with the main off there still is power at the main breaker leads unless you have a disconnecting means either at the meter or a disconnect.you work in a load center with limit knowledge could mean your death or be burned think about that.
My thoughts too..i don't l know where the main shut off is in my house..its says main on my circuit breaker..but i dont trust that
Hot panel ! No arc flash protection,bad boy! Take a NFPA70 class
steve boyd that’s is why he killed the power to the sub panel
how do you turn off the main power
there should be a main breaker usually the first one on your left, if you turn that off you should have no electricity in your house
Nicely done! Thanks much : )
nice vid mate