How to Connect a New Circuit?

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If you are unable to connect to your electrician for your new circuit connections, then you don’t need to worry. Now it’s quite simple and safe process. All you need to take care of is to follow the instructions carefully and properly. Let’s start with it:

technician-repairing-circuits

Get familiar with the main panel:

The main panel differs from house to house, but what remains constant is the large number of cable and the lugs. Before you start with anything, remember that you need to be very careful. Therefore, you must be aware with some parts like;

  • Lugs: They are always live, even if main breaker is off.
  • Cables: Beware of the black ones, they are live.
  • Main Breaker: Before removing panel’s cover, make sure to put if off.
  • Breaker: Generally, the red or black wire connects the circuit to breaker.
  • Bus (breaker and neutral): While the breaker bus connects main breaker to other circuits, on the other hand, all neutral and ground wires are connected at neutral bus.

Appropriate tools and parts:

You will surely need some equipment and parts to fix it. So, when you go for purchasing them, make sure to keep a check of the manufacturers name (written on breaker box). You will need them for sure:

  •  A few 1/2-in. plastic snap-in cable clamps
  • A powerful work light
  • Wire strippers
  • A screwdriver
  • A utility knife
  • An electrical tape
  • A circuit tester
  • A flat-blade screwdriver
  • AFCI circuit breaker

Removing the panel cover:

Start with removing three panel cover screws. Now, hold the cover and carefully put the fourth screw off. Make sure to put down the power before starting.

Test it:

Even if the power is off, don’t forget to test it. Working on assumption can be fatal. Testing each and every breaker is a must. In any case, if the test lights up, stop the project at the same instant.

Inserting the cable:

Well, you can easily insert the cable into the knock-out (top, bottom or sides) and then remove one small knock-out from a congested area. With help of a plastic cable camp hold the cable up to the box. Cut it to the right amount and then remove the insulator. Later, wrap the ends with tape.

Routing:

First you have to install the breaker, then route the black and white wires to the empty breaker space carefully. After attaching the wires, snap the breaker into the box. You can do it vice versa too.

Installation:

For installing, first you need to remove the panel cover plate and knockout the slot for the new breaker. Once you are done with it, you can put on the main breaker and switch the new AFCI to “ON.” After few seconds, press the “TEST” button. If the breaker trip, everything is fine.

Finally, you are done with it. If in the last step, the breaker doesn’t trip, you can opt for troubleshooting or you can call up a professional electrician service in new york!

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