- Generally, a drawout circuit breaker is made of a base and the breaker itself. The base is immovable and is bolted to the frame of the breaker box and the electrical system itself. The breaker is designed to fit into the base and be removed when necessary. The advantage of this system is that it does not require that the power for the entire breaker system be shut off, which saves time and allows the other electrical components to remain active.
These two components are interlocked in several ways, and you will need to determine which type of drawout breaker you have. Most systems have both primary and secondary disconnects--rollers that allow the breaker to be safely rolled out of the system rather than lifted and the drawout mechanism itself, which is most often a racking shaft with a screw that holds the breaker in place. Your breaker probably also has indicator lights showing whether or not the breaker is connected, and a lock plate that keeps the breaker locked in when its contacts are closed. - If your breaker has a screw-in system, you will need special wrench to unscrew it, such as a speed wrench with a 1/2-inch square drive socket. The socket typically comes with the breaker system, so if you do not have it you may have to order another one, unless you have a similar socket that can perform the same function. Before you begin, disengage the breaker and turn it completely off.
Withdrawing the breaker after it has been disengaged is the most complicated part of the process. Smaller breakers have rods that should be pulled down and latched into place so the breaker can be lifted when it is fully rolled out. If you only want to inspect the breaker, it can usually be rolled around instead of fully removed. Larger breakers use a hoist system that you must engage to safely remove it.
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