How To Replace Ground Fault Circuit Breaker

Outlets, appliances, and lights are great additions to any home. But did you know that they come with a necessary safety precaution – The Ground Fault Circuit Breaker (GFCI). This piece of hardware is designed to protect against electrical shocks caused by electrical short circuits and ground faults in your circuit wiring. In other words, it's a must-have for homeowners.

GFCIs come in many forms, but all serve the same purpose of protecting you and your family from electrical mishaps. GFCIs can be reset or replaced when needed. But knowing how to replace them yourself is invaluable for homeowners. If you want to take on your own GFCI replacement project, there are a few steps you'll need to follow.

This informative guide will help you successfully replace your GFCI breaker in no time.

First, turn off the power. Before performing any type of service or maintenance on your GFCI breaker, be sure to turn off the power at the main panel. This will ensure that you don’t get shocked while replacing the breaker.

Next, remove the old breaker. Once the power is turned off, you’ll need to remove the old GFCI breaker from the panel. Start by unscrewing the small screws that hold the breaker into place. Be sure not to lose any of the screws. Then, gently pull the breaker away from the panel and set it aside.

Now install the new breaker. Take the new GFCI breaker and align it so that it will fit into the hole where your old breaker was removed.Secure the breaker tightly and make sure it is firmly in place.

Finally, test the breaker. Once everything is properly connected and secured, you can turn the power back on. To test the new GFCI breaker, plug in an appliance into the outlet and press the "test" button. If the breaker trips, you know it’s working correctly.

Replacing your GFCI breaker isn’t difficult and should only take about 15 minutes or so. Just remember to always practice safety first and turn off the power before attempting any sort of service or maintenance on your electrical system. Don’t forget to also conduct a test after you’ve installed the new GFCI breaker to make sure it’s working properly. Following these steps will ensure that you’ll have a safe and functioning GFCI breaker in no time.

How To Install A Gfci Or Afci Circuit Breaker