I recently replaced my water heater after my old one kept tripping the breaker. Even after swapping out the heating elements and thermostat, the problem persisted. I got frustrated and installed a new heater, but the breaker tripped again shortly after. Upon inspecting the breaker box, I noticed the cable attached to the breaker was charred. My plan is to replace the breaker and run a new wire. I've done some basic electrical work before, but I've never connected a cable directly to a breaker. It seems fairly simple, yet my wife is concerned and wants me to call an electrician. Should I attempt this myself, or would it be better to hire a pro? If I do go the DIY route, would an electrician just handle connecting the new wire to the breaker?
2 Answers
It’s possible that the tripping and charring was due to a loose connection. You might get lucky by just trimming the damaged cable and replacing the breaker. If you’re going to run new wiring, stick to something of a heavier gauge, and make sure you don’t leave any exposed wire or hidden splices in the walls. A solid installation is key! Definitely play it safe, though.
Cutting off the charred part of the wire could work if you have enough length. But remember, you can’t just swap out the old breaker for a new one without properly securing the wire to the studs. That’s tricky if your walls aren’t open. Just keep that in mind before diving in!
I’m in an unfinished basement, so everything’s accessible, which makes it easier!