How to Change the Main Breaker in a Breaker Box
- 1). De-energize the circuit, before working on it, at the locked meter box. The box is usually property of your electric company, which you must contact for assistance.
- 2). Remove the box's cover. Remove the two screws that connect the two black wires to the main breaker. Bend those wires outward so they don't come in contact with anything in the panel.
- 3). Open one side of the breaker with a flat head screwdriver and hold the breaker as it rolls outward. The main breaker should come out easily.
- 4). Insert a new breaker and snap it into place. It should lie in a flat plane with the other breakers. Turn the new breaker "off."
- 5). Install the two black wires onto the main breaker. Twist the screws firmly but do not over-tighten them. Re-establish power to the house and watch the breaker box for smoke or other abnormalities.
- 6). Reset the main breaker to "on" and place the breaker box cover back to its original position.