Installing A Circuit Breaker Panel Box

Shut off the main power on your circuit breaker panel before you begin installation work in case you come into contact with existing electrical cable behind your walls.

Installing a circuit breaker panel box. Before deciding where you ll install your new circuit breaker panel decide the size you ll need such as 200 amp 300 amp or 400 amp. This diagram illustrates some of the most common circuits found in a typical 200 amp circuit breaker service panel box. Opening the main circuit breaker panel box and adding a circuit is actually pretty easy. To install a circuit breaker start by turning off the power supply to the electrical panel and removing the cover over it.

Take some of the mystery out of those wires and switches that lurk behind the door of your breaker box with this. Make sure you use a test light or meter to verify that the power is off since it s dangerous to install a circuit breaker in a panel that still has power. Wiring a breaker box is a highly technical skill knowing how it operates isn t. Circuit breaker panel box wiring diagram.

You only have to connect three wires to add a circuit and each circuit wire is color coded. On afci or gfci breakers this circuit wire will be attached to the terminal marked load power or black finally for afci or gfci breakers attach the breaker s coiled white pigtail wire to the neutral bus bar in the panel. Tighten the clamp to secure the wires. A breaker box in a detached garage is usually a sub panel to the main circuit panel in the home.

Select the electrical box you need for every receptacle switch and fixture in your new circuit. Our electrical box buying guide explains the functions of the different box designs. But there are some safety precautions and if you ignore them you could kill yourself. Connect any new circuits to the subpanel attaching the hot wire to a circuit breaker and the other wires to their respective buses.

The breakers are installed in a panel so that contact is made with one of two hot bus bars running down the middle of the box. If your future circuit needs are for fewer than 40 circuits the 200 amp panel will suit your needs. Snap the breaker into place by clipping it to the hot bus bar. Clear a knockout panel install cable clamps in the hole and feed the wires through the clamp.