Tag Archives: circuit breaker

General Safety Issues

INSTALL A NEW CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHOUT GETTING ZAPPED! (GUEST POST)

A big home remodeling project might include the addition of new power outlets and a new circuit breaker. Installing a circuit breaker is a delicate job, so before you try to do it yourself, confirm that your home insurance policy doesn’t restrict you from undertaking this type of electrical work.

It’s a bad idea to make this particular task your first foray into the world of electricity. Especially when you’re working inside a breaker box, mistakes can be dangerous or deadly, so if you have no experience at all with electrical work, hire a pro or do some smaller electrical projects first to build up your knowledge and confidence.

A lot of power runs through a home’s electrical distribution system, so safety should be top of mind before you even think about touching anything in an electrical panel. The most important thing to remember is to shut off the power to whatever you’re working on, and that includes the circuit box. There are also many other steps you can take to protect yourself from electric shock.

General directions for installing a circuit breaker are noted below, but the circuit breaker you buy will have additional instructions. Make sure you read them (two or three times) and internalize the steps you’ll be taking for this project.

1. Turn off the main circuit breaker.

You should find the main circuit breaker — also possibly labeled as “Service Disconnect” or “Main” — at the very top or bottom of the electrical panel. If you don’t see a main circuit breaker, it may be located in a second electrical panel somewhere else in your home. You also might find the switch outside at the electrical meter the utility company uses to figure out how much electricity you’re using.

2. Remove the panel cover.

You’re removing the entire front of the electrical box, not just the door. An extra set of hands can be helpful at this step to support the cover as you remove its fasteners.

3. Figure out where you have available space for a new breaker.

You may have seen “blank” punch-outs on the panel cover over unused slots. However, they aren’t always accurate. After you remove the panel cover, you can see exactly where you have room to expand.

4. Use an electrical meter set for continued power to make sure there’s no juice flowing through the panel.

The terminals connected to the main outside power line will still be live (so be careful), but every other circuit breaker and the bus bar (what the circuit breakers attach to) should not indicate any power if the main switch is off. Do not continue on your own if your tester shows that any of the ancillary circuits are receiving power or if you have any questions about the power status.

5. Select the proper circuit breaker according to the panel’s list of acceptable models.

Most panel manufacturers require that their own circuit breakers be installed. In addition to listing what kinds of circuit breakers you can use, the panel will provide you with the allowable amp size for installation.

6. Locate the circuit breaker’s two mounting points.

Both the electrical and the non-electrical mounting points are at or near the bottom of the breaker. The non-electrical contact point is always the first to be connected. Connection directions can vary between brands, so read the instructions that came with the circuit breaker. The second electrical mounting point is the last to be installed and requires only downward pressure to engage the connection mechanism with the bus bar.

7. Make sure the new circuit breaker is in the Off position.

8. Slide the new circuit breaker at an angle into its new home.

The non-electrical contact point should engage with the support structure to hold it in place.

9. Push the inside edge of the breaker down until it snaps into place.

It should align with the circuit breakers around it.

10. Connect the circuit breaker wires to the breaker terminal screws.

Refer to the specific instructions provided with the circuit breaker you’re installing.

11. Remove the necessary punch-out on the cover to accommodate the new breaker and then reinstall the cover.

12. Test the installation.

Stand to the side of the circuit breaker. Turn the main circuit breaker on and then flip the switch for the newly installed breaker. If the installation is successful, label the circuit on the list on the inside of the panel door for future reference. It’s also a good idea to have an inspector double-check your work. It will cost a little money, but not as much as hiring an electrician to do the entire installation, and definitely not as much as rebuilding a house after a preventable electrical fire!

If something went wrong and you can’t figure out what, put down your tools and call a certified electrician to finish the job.

Sent to us by Maire Hunter. 

P.S. Be sure you have your gloves, safety glasses, and other protective gear when tackling this project.

General Safety Issues

SAFETY AND THE DIY RENOVATION PROJECT (GUEST POST)

Five quick & easy water heater replacement safety steps –
By Tina Jacobs

December means one thing to home owners—frigid temperatures and high energy bills—which relates to longer, hotter showers and baths. It’s true; in the winter months the temptation to lie in a hot bath or languish under in a hot shower is too much! That’s why it’s important that the water heaters in our homes are working efficiently.

A little proactive planning can really make a difference when it comes to protecting your water heater from breaking down mid-winter. That’s why last winter, I was taken completely by surprise when the heating element in my water heater broke and I was left without hot water for days. Luckily, a water heater is a safe and easy DIY repair. If you notice that your electric hot water heater is slow to heat, runs out of hot water faster than it should, or doesn’t deliver any hot water at all, that’s your first sign that one or both of the heating elements might need to be replaced. The fix is fairly easy and safe, with replacement parts costing between $10 and $20 per element at your local home center or hardware store.

So do yourself a favor. If your water heater needs some maintenance, follow these five quick and easy do-it-yourself steps to help you replace a broken water heater and keep it running safely and effectively all winter long.

1. Check to see if the electrical source is tripped

Before you test the heating elements in your water heater, ensure the circuit breaker is on and not tripped. A tripped breaker can indicate an electrical problem or even burn out the elements. Just be sure to monitor your unit to see if it trips again.

2. Reset the circuit breaker and high-temperature cut-off

It’s also wise for safety sake to push the reset button on circuit breaker as well as the high-temperature cutoff (you’ll see it right above the upper thermostat). This reset by itself could be enough to solve the problem.

3. Test the heating elements with these safety measures

First and foremost, turn off the power at the circuit breaker and remove the metal covers to expose the thermostats and elements. You can ensure the power is off by touching the electrical connections with a non-contact voltage detector before you start any work. If the tester doesn’t light up, it’s safe to go ahead and test the heating elements.

4. Replacing your hot water tank elements

To replace an element, ensure the power is still off and drain the tank by opening the hot water faucet in the kitchen. You can drain faster by connecting a garden hose to the drain valve and opening the drain the empty the tank. Next, unscrew the bad element and install the new element with a wrench. Finally, reconnect the wires on the new element, turn on the drain valve and fill the tank. Now you’re ready to switch on the circuit breaker and test your new elements for working order.

5. Ensure the thermostat is working

If the circuit breaker isn’t tripped and the reset doesn’t work, the elements are fine. This may indicate that your thermostat is broken and require a replacement.

About The Author

Tina is a registered nurse and DIY home improvement maven who has written and blogger for DIY Mother as well as numerous print and online publications ranging in topics from education to health and from home renovations to interior decorating.

 

General Safety Issues

TEN TIPS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS (GUEST POST)

Sent to us from the U.K. , written by David Quarmby.

It’s important to make sure that your electrics aren’t faulty to keep your home safe. Here are some top tips for safe electrical installation in order to reduce electrical fires and shocks.

1.       It’s vital to visually check any plugs, cables and electrical appliances for any problems. This could be signs of scorching around sockets or damaged cables which are both potential hazards.

2.       In order to detect any potential risks of safety to an electrical installation, a qualified electrician should carry out an inspection. They have the knowledge and experience to identify electrical dangers and ensure your home is safe.

3.       You should think about getting an RCD, or a residual current device that can be installed to prevent shocks. This device disconnects a circuit automatically if there is a fault.

4.       Make sure that there are enough sockets for appliances as you don’t want to be using too many multi-way sockets.

5.       When you do have multi-way sockets take care that you don’t overload adaptors, particularly with high current appliances such as irons, kettles, or heaters.

6.       Ensure all covers are in place to prevent anyone touching any live parts that are visible.

7.       It’s important that your electrician checks that earthing arrangements are in place so a fuse or circuit breaker can clear a fault. These will cut the circuit so that a fire or shock is prevented.

8.       They also need to check that there’s sufficient protective bonding so a shock is minimised.

9.       Cables should be selected and installed in relation to a fuse or circuit breaker in order to protect the circuit.

10.   In your home circuits should be installed to avoid danger and inconvenience caused if there was a fault.

The most essential thing to remember is to make sure electrics in the home are checked regularly by yourself and an electrician. Any electrical faults can present a possible threat to you and your family, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

David, the author, is an expert in electrical compliance and testing for businesses and is part of the ElectricalCerts group.