Main Breaker Replacement

This video is to show how simple it is to replace a main breaker that is this style type Q zinsco that we started started having problems with in the last few months where if are if our air conditioner or furnace was on while we were drying clothes or using our oven it would trip the main breaker.. This is a really simple fix and As long as you take the precautions necessary it can be done safely as is seen on this video. Thank you for taking the time to view this content and for subscribing to our channel!

[@Boyridge]

I live in a 50 year old condo complex with 60 units. I lost have 30% of my power in my unit in several rooms. Could a 50 year old main breaker still partially work and power half the apartment?

[@WoodandHomeAccents]

I would think that breakers from the sub panel are going out in that case, but I am not an electrician so that is only my best guess.

[@austinsworld8936]

Did you work with live wires? Looks like you did.

[@WoodandHomeAccents]

I turned off the power at the main breaker that I was replacing before doing anything. The main line coming from the meter are fixed in place, so no chance of accidental contact there as long as I was paying attention to what I was doing. Thanks for asking!

[@everythinghomerepair1747]

Nice job finding and replacing the breaker but you should have made the main wires A lot tighter with the screwdriver. Main wires should be super tight or it will continue to melt like it already has.

[@WoodandHomeAccents]

Thanks for the advice, I did end up tightening them off camara, glad to know that will help!

[@emailtomrhawj]

Do you turn off electric somewhere before you take out the old breaker ?

[@everythinghomerepair1747]

@@emailtomrhawj with the particular style shown in the video you can safely change the main breaker without turning off the power elsewhere because the power feeds into the breaker first and then the wires. However there are many styles where the utility company must come out to remove the meter before a main breaker can be replaced. No work should be done on a main breaker unless you have a good understanding of the dangers involved and how the power is flowing through the system.

[@emailtomrhawj]

Thanks the breaker in my house look like the one you changed out

[@austinsworld8936]

​@@everythinghomerepair1747I think he did not turn the power off. If the wires touched could do some damage.

[@kens2997]

You didn't push it on enough.