How to Hang a Circuit Breaker Box

If you take proper precautions, it is not hard to hang a circuit breaker to get electricity into a building. If you have very little experience or uncomfortable with this project, however, consider calling a professional electrician for help.

Turn Off the Electricity

As when working with any appliance or equipment that is connected to electricity, you must turn off the power in your home before installing your new breaker box. Call your utilities company and ask for the electricity to be turned off for the period while you work. Use a voltage tester in the external breaker box to make sure there is no power before you begin.

Run Wiring

Make sure that you follow local housing regulations during this step. Run 440 wires through the walls of your home by drilling holes in the 2x4s of your walls. Run the wire from the external breaker box to the place you would like to keep your house circuit box. Keep in mind that you may have to remove or break down existing walls. Make sure that the wires are protected and will not be touched by any elements.

To install electricity to outlets, separately run both positive and negative wires to your outlets. Ensure that all outlet wires are connected to the ground wire. The wire that goes to your outlets should either be 220 wires for heavy appliances such as a stove, refrigerator or a washing machine, or 110 wires for other appliances and electronics.

Attach Amp to External Box

After you have run the wires through the house to where you would like to have your internal breaker box, put a 220 amp into the external box. Do not hook up the electricity yet as you will still be working with the wires. Make sure that the wire is run correctly to all internal outlets and the 60 amp breaker box, and connect them inside the internal breaker box.

Connect the Boxes

Use a screwdriver to connect the 440 wires to each box. Also connect the 220 amps to each breaker box. At this point, have a licensed electrician go over all your work to make sure that it has been done correctly to avoid fire and electric shock.

Connect the Fuses

Make sure that the right wires connect to each individual fuse from the different locations in the building. Organize the box by putting colored tape on the 220 and 110 wires of each room while you transfer them to the internal box, so that you will know which wires belong with each room.

Turn Electricity On

After a professional has checked your work, restore the power to your home. Use your voltage tester to make sure that each of the outlets and the breaker box is getting the electricity they need. The reading should correspond with the wires that were connected with each outlet.

If you run your own wiring, it is important to make sure you put your safety and the safety of those around you first by following the proper precautions.