One of the circuit breakers in my house is weak. It trips even when I plug the vacuum cleaner in it’s circuit, while none of the other breakers trip with the same vacuum in other rooms.
Can I replace the breaker myself, or should I get an electrician. I know enough to shut off main power off first. I am not clear on how to remove the individual circuit breaker from the panel. Any hints appreciated.
1. Find a flash light
2. Open main breaker
3. Remove entire front panel
4. remove wire from breaker
5. lift breaker out
6. push in new breaker
7. reattach the wire
8. replace front panel
9. close main breaker
10. turn off flashlight
Circuit breakers just snap in place. Turn off the Main and remove the wire, then pivot the offending breaker away from the center and remove it. If it gives you trouble take a large straight slot screwdriver and place it between the two opposing breakers and pry a little.
Look at the bottom of the new breaker and you will see how it attaches. Hook the tabs on the outer rail and then pivot it back in place. Replace the wire and panel and flip on the Main. Shouldn’t take you more than 15 minutes tops.
If you still have a problem, get an electrician.
Are the other circuits that you put the vacuum cleaner on the same amperage as the one you think is weak?
Also, is this particular breaker you’re having trouble with a Ground Fault Circuit breaker, or on a circuit that has a Ground Fault Circuit Outlet on it? If so, sometimes motored items plugged in can cause the GFCB or GFCO to trip....
If you want to replace the breaker, go to Home Depot and have the guy in electrical supplies go over it with you.... he/she can show you how to pop out the breaker...it would be good to write down the type of panel and breakers before going though...
Obviously I would check state and local laws, permits, etc.. but I believe you can do the work yourself if you get it inspected.
You CAN NOT do work for others unless you are licensed.
Replacing breakers in electrical panel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIEWWK4jLC8
There are other things you need to know about like grounding, preventing oxidization of aluminum wires, wire gauges, etc...
I did my homework first including talking with electricians.
Call an electrician. It might be a weak breaker or it might be a lot of other things. Different brands of breakers come out differently.
most breakers are snap in. they have a grip clip in the side to the center. you have to pull the breaker straight up on the side to the center of the panel to unhook it.
Tad bit tricky, but pretty easy none the less. Just kill the main outside the house before you go in to play and you should be just fine.
While your at it, snug up all the screws on all the breakers and the terminal strips. Breakers can age and get trippy on you, but a loose wire on the breaker can cause the same issue. The loose wire adds resistance, and it heats up the wire fooling the breaker that more power is being pulled than the internal heaters are indicating.
Add each item that is on. You are asking for an electric fire.
Understand that even with the main cb open (off) there’s at a minimum this much power available within the panel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYL37MZ113Q