Things You'll Need
Insulated screwdriver
Flashlight
Wire strippers
Circuit breaker of the size and capacity of the of you are replacing
If you live in a mobile home, you are not immune from the maintenance other homeowners have to deal with. For example, you may run into plumbing problems, leaky roofs or electrical problems from time to time. One of the most intimidating tasks for many mobile home owners is replacing one of their home's circuit breakers. You can usually replace the breaker with a like-one purchased from a home improvement store. All it takes is patience, a respect for the electricity and this guide. Of course, if you aren't fully comfortable working on electric, you should call a professional to do the job. If you're simply replacing a breaker and not having your electrical panel upgraded, then it is legal for the homeowner to replace his own breaker without having to obtain a permit for the job.
Step 1
Locate both your electrical panel on the inside of your mobile home and the main disconnect on the outside of your mobile home. Turn the main disconnect off as well as all of the circuit breakers in your panel.
Video of the Day
Step 2
Unscrew and remove the electrical panel cover on the panel inside the mobile home.
Step 3
Inspect all of the wiring to make sure none of the connections are corroded or have areas on the wire where the insulation looks melted or bubbly.
Step 4
Remove the circuit breaker you need to replace. This is usually performed by pulling the breaker from the inside toward the outside. If your breakers are screwed to the bus bar (the copper line going down the center of the panel), then you will have to first unscrew the connection and then remove the breaker.
Step 5
Loosen the terminal screw on the circuit breaker and remove the wire.
Step 6
Install the new circuit breaker the reverse way you removed the old one. Make sure that it is seated firmly in place.
Step 7
Loosen the terminal screw and insert the wire under it. Tighten the terminal screw down to tightly secure the wire. Give the wire a light tug to ensure it's tight and that it won't fall out.
Step 8
Tighten down the terminal screws on each of the remaining breakers to ensure that they are all tight. Do the same thing for screws on the panel's ground and neutral bars.
Step 9
Screw the panel cover back in place.
Step 10
Leaving the inside breakers OFF, turn the outside disconnect back ON. Then, return inside and begin turning your breakers on one by one.
Step 11
Your power should be restored to the mobile home.
Tip
It helps to have a helper hold the flashlight for you while you perform the electrical repair.
Warning
Always turn the power off before working on a circuit in your mobile home.
If you have a circuit breaker that trips regularly, you should troubleshoot the circuit to ensure there is not a wiring problem somewhere inside the mobile home.
Video of the Day