How To Add A Line To A Breaker Box

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Adding a new electrical circuit to your habitation as well requires that you add together a new circuit breaker to the electrical service panel. This article volition explain how to install a breaker switch and connect it to type NM non-metallic sheathed electrical cable.

Steps

1

Decide the maximum power that volition exist drawn on the new circuit. Divide the total number of watts by 120 (or 240 for a 240-Volt excursion). The result is the maximum current, in amperes (amps), for the circuit.
2
Select the proper judge conductor for the maximum current of the circuit.
- Select a 14 AWG conductor for a maximum electric current up to 15 amps.
- Select a 12 AWG conductor for a maximum current up to 20 amps.
- Select a 10 AWG conductor for a maximum current up to xxx amps.
- Select an 8 AWG usher for a maximum current upwardly to fifty amps.
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3
Purchase the correct excursion breaker.
- Y'all must utilise a circuit breaker that is approved for employ in your service console. In most cases, you must employ a excursion billow made by the same manufacturer as that of the service panel.
- Select a circuit billow with a current rating that does non exceed the rating of the circuit. For example, if a circuit is wired with a 12 AWG conductor, only use a circuit breaker rated for xx amps or less.
four

Run the electric cable for the new circuit. Allow for sufficient cable at the service console to route the cable to the entry indicate in the box and then from that indicate to the uttermost destination in box. As a dominion of thumb, allow for a length of cable that is 2 to iii times the height of the box.^[1]
5
Place a rubber mat or sail of plywood (or other dry wood) in front of the service panel and stand on it while working in the panel.
- Do not piece of work alone when a breaker console comprehend is removed. You lot may need someone to rescue yous or to call for help.
half-dozen

Open the cover of the service panel and turn off the principal breaker.
7

Note the location of unused circuit breaker spaces in the service console cover. Y'all must install the new circuit breaker to line up with a pre-punched knockout in the cover.
8
Remove the service console cover.
- Warning: The power supply terminals that supply the main switch will all the same accept live voltage on them, even if the main switch is turned off. Use extreme caution.
9

Measure the voltage to verify that the power is off in the service panel. Place one probe of a voltmeter on the neutral bus bar and place the other probe on the supply autobus bar (the bus bar to which the existing circuit breakers are attached). If the voltmeter does not read 0, the power in the service panel is non off and y'all should not proceed.^[2]
10
Choose the location in the service panel for the new circuit breaker. Remove the knockout.
- Apply a hammer and screwdriver to bend the knockout. Grasp the edge of the knockout with pliers and bend it dorsum and forth until it breaks loose.
eleven

Locate a circular knockout on the summit, side or lesser of the service console box that is convenient for entry of the new circuit cable and for routing conductors inside the box to the new circuit breaker location. For safety reasons, select a knockout that is not in shut proximity to the live service wires that connect to the main circuit breaker. Remove the knockout.
12
Install a cable clamp in the circular pigsty in the service panel box with the clamp on the outside of the box. Use a screwdriver to open the clamp as far as possible.
- The cable clamp must be selected properly for the size and type of cable you are using.
13

Road the cablevision to the new cable clamp.
xiv
Identify the location on the cable that will extend approximately 1 inch (two.v cm) inside the cable clamp. Divide and strip off the outer jacket of the cablevision from this indicate to the stop of the cable.
- Use a utility knife to carefully cutting down the heart of the cable jacket.
- Skin the jacket apart and pull it off the conductors back to the identified point where you lot began your cut.
- Cutting the jacket off with a utility knife.
- Remove the paper that surrounds the blank copper ground wire.
15

Wrap electrical tape effectually the ends of the conductors to hold them together. Route the conductors through the cable clamp until 1 inch (ii.5 cm) of the jacketed cable extends through the cable clench. Tighten the cable clench. Remove the electrical record holding the conductor ends together.
16
Determine whether your service panel has dissever neutral and ground passenger vehicle confined.
- Your service panel has carve up neutral and ground double-decker bars if all of the white wires are routed to one bus bar and all of the bare (or green) ground wires are routed to some other bus bar.
- Your service panel does non have separate neutral and ground bus bars if the white and ground conductors are continued to only 1 charabanc bar.
- If you are installing a GFCI or AFCI blazon billow, the white neutral wire is besides routed to a split terminal on the billow.
17

Route the ground conductor to the ground bus bar (or mutual neutral bus bar, as applicative). Cut off any excess conductor with the wire cutter. Loosen a spiral in the charabanc bar, insert the conductor through the hole and firmly tighten the screw.
eighteen

Route the white wire to the neutral passenger vehicle bar. Cut off any excess conductor. Apply a wire stripper to remove approximately one/2 inch (1.3 cm) of insulation from the end of the conductor. Loosen a screw in the double-decker bar, insert the wire in the hole under the screw and firmly tighten the screw.
19
Determine how you volition route the black wire to the location for the new circuit billow. Cutting off any excess conductor. Strip approximately 1/ii inch (1.three cm) of insulation from the end of the conductor. Loosen the spiral on the excursion breaker and insert the finish of the black wire under it and and then firmly tighten the spiral.
- If you are installing a double-pole billow for a 240-Volt circuit, connect the blackness wire to either screw connector on the circuit breaker and connect the carmine wire to the other spiral connector.
- If you are installing a GFCI or AFCI type of billow, attach the branch neutral to the correct concluding on the breaker and attach the white coiled neutral wired from the billow to the neutral bar.
20
Install the circuit breaker.
- Set the new breaker switch to the off position.
- Route the black wire that is connected to the breaker switch from the cable clamp to the location where you will install the breaker.
- Hold the circuit billow at an angle and align its connection point with the rail, clip or slot in the service console.
- Press the other end of the circuit breaker into identify. Some brands will click into place; others will non. To assure that the breaker is properly installed, verify that it is level with the next circuit breakers.
21

Test your installation past first turning on the main breaker in the service panel and then turning on the new circuit breaker. Employ a circuit tester or plug in an electric appliance to exam the new circuit.
22
Replace the billow panel cover.
- Exist sure to add together a new label to the cover that indicates the circuit fed from the new billow.

Add together New Question

Question

Do you need an electrician to install a breaker?

Jesse Kuhlman is a Chief Electrician and the Owner of Kuhlman Electrician Services based in Massachusetts. Jesse specializes in all aspects of dwelling house/residential wiring, troubleshooting, generator installation, and WiFi thermostats. Jesse is also the writer of iv eBooks on abode wiring including "Residential Electrical Troubleshooting" which covers basic electric troubleshooting in residential homes.

Master Electrician

Expert Answer

If you're unfamiliar with how electrical lines piece of work, then yes. Yous admittedly should not be toying around with complex electrical systems if y'all don't have any experience here.
Question

What does an arc fault circuit breaker do?

Jesse Kuhlman is a Chief Electrician and the Owner of Kuhlman Electrician Services based in Massachusetts. Jesse specializes in all aspects of home/residential wiring, troubleshooting, generator installation, and WiFi thermostats. Jesse is besides the author of four eBooks on home wiring including "Residential Electric Troubleshooting" which covers basic electrical troubleshooting in residential homes.

Primary Electrician

Good Answer

The easiest way to explain it is that an arc fault circuit billow does the exact aforementioned matter equally a regular excursion billow. In other words, it can trip due to an overload or a short. The but departure is that an arc fault circuit breaker volition besides trip because of an arc fault.
Question

I want to install a twenty amp breaker on a garage circuit that is now 15 amps. Can I just replace the old circuit breaker so I can safely run my 120 volt air compressor?

The curt answer is, probably not. The wires coming out of that breaker may non be thick enough to handle 20 amps and yous run a risk burn down. If you can guarantee that the wires are 12 gauge at to the lowest degree (i.e. 12, ten, etc.), then you lot'll have to run new, thicker wires from your box to handle your twenty amp needs.
Question

If my panel does have a primary breaker, how practice I safely install an boosted breaker?

Open up the panel and remove the panel cover. Using an insulated electrical screwdriver, install new circuit wires into the gems and neutral bus confined. Install a hot wire into the new billow, so line upwards the breaker into position and snap information technology into place. Punch out a blank on your billow cover panel and install it.
Question

I need to go 240 volts from a 124 amp box. How can I do so?

You're mixing volts and amps which are two different things. In your circuit breaker box you should have two supply lines of 120V each. What you desire to do is install something called a double pole excursion billow which will connect to both supply jitney bars. Y'all'll demand to run at to the lowest degree two hot wires and a ground wire to where your outlet volition exist, nevertheless depending on your appliance, you may also need a neutral wire. Word of caution considering yous're not clear of amps and volts: I think you may accept a lot of research to exercise and strongly suggest coming dorsum with specific questions regarding your plans before y'all practise anything. Risks include fire and electrocution.
Question

Is information technology OK to add an on/off toggle switch to an outlet circuit?

Yes. Those are used in many places, already.
Question

What is the deviation between a voltage, amps and current. Which of them is more than important in connecting an appliance?

Voltage is the potential of the electrical charge. In other words, it tin be idea of as the force behind the excursion. The amp rating is the amount of current running through your circuit. Recollect the corporeality of water running through a h2o hose. Voltage DC is a constant level. Voltage Air-conditioning alternates between pinnacle opposite maximum levels. I am not an electrician, just I don't think any one is more than of import than the other. The ratio of voltage, current, resistance, and work (watts) are the relations of Ohms Constabulary. Retrieve, electricity tin can kill you. Educate yourself for what are doing or pay a professional person.
Question

One of the commencement frames uses a calculation that requires noesis of Watts used. For appliances, etc., how is this value institute?

Upnorth Here

Superlative Answerer

Most electric appliances are required to have permanent labels that show the wattage, if not also the voltage and cycles (Hertz). If it shows amps A and volts V, and so A ten 5 = watts.

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Video

Check local edifice codes. A edifice permit may be required to add an electric excursion.
While y'all are installing the new circuit billow, the electricity volition be off. Earlier you start, plow off all lights most the service console, then determine if at that place is sufficient remaining lite in the service panel location. If not, y'all will need have a flashlight or other battery-operated portable light before you proceed.

Remove your sentinel, rings and all other metal jewelry before working near the service panel.
Installing a circuit breaker that is not approved for use in your service panel may create a chancy status.
Utilize extreme caution while working inside an electrical service panel. There are unsafe electrical voltages inside the box, even with the main billow switched off. The master service wires that enter the box and connect to the primary excursion billow are live. Touching these wires directly or with a metal object can exist lethal.