How do you Remove/Install 15 amp breaker?

[tphiggins]

I have a standard 100 amp GE circuit breaker. One of the 15 amp breakers keeps tripping instantly (I suspect the roofer, when driving a 2 1/2" masonary nail into the stucco to install flashing over the porch hit one of the 2nd floor electical circuits).

How do I remove and replace the 15 amp breaker? I want to eliminate/validate the breaker as the cause. After shutting off the main, do I just pull the breaker straight out by pulling on the switch?

Thanks

[volts]

Don't be afraid of it, try pulling it out as you feel and it will come free. If I remember the last GE panel I worked on, pulling back at the front of the CB and sliding forward slightly will release it.

[kactuskid]

Yes, you're correct, open the main breader, then open the breaker you want to remove. Then the breaker should pull out from the center towards the edge. Here's a link that'll show you a few details http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/e...er/install.htm

If it is tripping after the roofing job you most likely don't have a bad breaker though. That could be a tuff nail to find.

[tphiggins]

Thank you both for the responses. I just wanted to make sure before I tried troubleshooting the problem, that I didn't cause another problem. As for finding the roofer's nail in the flashing, there's only about 30 masonary nails on the front and back of the back of the house, where I suspect it hit the circuit. If, I remember correctly, the circuit tripped the day the flashing on the front side of the house was nailed to the stucco. The circuit running to the only light in the walk-up attic (2½ story) is OK. Determining which of the 15 masonary nails on the front-side of the house, that is causing the problem the house might prove difficult.

QUESTION: Might putting an ohm meter on the head of the nail gounding the circuit cause the needle to jump breifly, if I have someone flip the circuit on?

Thanks again!

[kactuskid]

That would be a good way to blow your meter, anytime you're on ohms and then measure power, puff, there goes the meter. The better way would be to put the meter on AC, put one probe on a known ground and the other probe on the nails. Whichever nail is making contact with the power will give you a meter reading. Or, just remove all 15 nails. Even if you find the nail, the cable could be damaged enough that it would require replacement, have to see on that one.