Yes they are brand specific, and made to work with a certain panel. There may be a few exceptions, but that is the rule.

 

Make sure to write down the info on the panel before you go shopping for a breaker.

 

What info is key to write down?

On most panels, there are a couple of unused breakers just taking up slots. You might get lucky and be able to use one of those.

On most panels, there are a couple of unused breakers just taking up slots. You might get lucky and be able to use one of those.

 

Not this one, the entire box is full. When they finished off the basement of this house they (making it a mother daughter suite with a kitchen down stairs with full appliances) they used all the open spots in the breaker box.

 

Everything was set up great per my home inspector, they just used up all the open spots in the box.

 

 

This looks like the breaker I need to replace. Siemens 20 Amp Single-Pole Interchangeable Circuit Breaker-Q120U at The Home Depot

You need to wriite down the brand and the type/series on the breaker box and the guys at the supply store will know what breaker.

 

Example: Square D, HOMC42UC

 

Or just take a pic like this

 

.

Will do thanks.

 

Are they easy to replace.

Not this one, the entire box is full. When they finished off the basement of this house they (making it a mother daughter suite with a kitchen down stairs with full appliances) they used all the open spots in the breaker box.

 

Everything was set up great per my home inspector, they just used up all the open spots in the box.

 

 

This looks like the breaker I need to replace. Siemens 20 Amp Single-Pole Interchangeable Circuit Breaker-Q120U at The Home Depot

Too bad on the empty slot.

 

Remember, not every Siemens breaker will fit every Siemens panel. The lugs could be different, etc. Each type panel uses it's own type breaker and you have to match them up.

Will do thanks.

 

Are they easy to replace.

 

Very easy. Just make sure you turn off the main. Remove the cover. Pull the breaker from the inside out to pull it out. Disconnect the hot (black wire) from the old and connect to the new. Put the breaker back in outside to inside. Put switch in off position. Install cover. Turn on the main. Turn on the new breaker.

Very easy. Just make sure you turn off the main. Remove the cover. Pull the breaker from the inside out to pull it out. Disconnect the hot (black wire) from the old and connect to the new. Put the breaker back in outside to inside. Put switch in off position. Install cover. Turn on the main. Turn on the new breaker.

 

Assuming inside means the side towards the center of the panel (area between the two rows of breakers) and outside means towards the outside of the panel box?

Assuming inside means the side towards the center of the panel (area between the two rows of breakers) and outside means towards the outside of the panel box?

Yes, that is correct.

Assuming inside means the side towards the center of the panel (area between the two rows of breakers) and outside means towards the outside of the panel box?

 

You assumed correctly.

plantman, if you didn't live so far away I'd do it for you. I did electrical for about ten years.

plantman, if you didn't live so far away I'd do it for you. I did electrical for about ten years.

 

I appreciate that, ever since I got electrocuted I try not to mess with anything electric if I can help it.

I'd drive to a neighborhood out here in Boone County, and find an electrician on a job. Offer him $100 to fix it after he gets off work, you supply the parts.

I appreciate that, ever since I got electrocuted I try not to mess with anything electric if I can help it.

 

Switching a breaker is probably one of the easiest electrical jobs. You're only dealing with 1 wire, and there's only 1 place that wire can go. Just make sure the main is turned off before doing anything.

Switching a breaker is probably one of the easiest electrical jobs. You're only dealing with 1 wire, and there's only 1 place that wire can go. Just make sure the main is turned off before doing anything.

 

But still one of the more dangerous for novice who is not comfortable about medium to high voltage. Remember that even with the main breaker thrown there is still 100 or 200 amps hot inside the circuit breaker box and exposed with the cover off.