Circuit breakers are the frontline defense of your home's electrical system. Every breaker in your panel is designed to trip when it detects an overload or short circuit, cutting power before wires overheat and cause a fire. When a breaker fails to do its job -- whether it trips constantly, refuses to reset, or never trips at all -- your home's safety is compromised.
Many homes in the Aiken area were built with breaker panels that are now 20 to 40 years old. Breakers wear out over time, especially if they have tripped repeatedly. Some homes still contain breakers from manufacturers like Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or Challenger that are known to have dangerously high failure rates. Unity Power & Light provides professional circuit breaker replacement throughout Aiken, SC -- from single breaker swaps to complete panel replacements for homes with obsolete equipment.
What We Do
Whether you have a single breaker that will not stop tripping or a panel full of obsolete breakers, we have the solution.
Single Breaker Replacement
A breaker that trips frequently, feels warm to the touch, or will not stay reset needs to be replaced. We remove the faulty breaker, inspect the bus bar connection, and install a new breaker matched to the correct amperage and your panel brand.
AFCI Breaker Installation
Arc-fault circuit interrupter breakers detect dangerous electrical arcs -- sparks caused by damaged wiring, loose connections, or pinched cables. Current electrical code requires AFCI protection on most bedroom and living area circuits. We upgrade standard breakers to AFCI where required.
GFCI Breaker Installation
Ground-fault circuit interrupter breakers protect against electrical shock in wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor circuits. A GFCI breaker at the panel protects the entire circuit, providing a cleaner installation than individual GFCI outlets.
Dual-Function AFCI/GFCI Breakers
Some circuits require both arc-fault and ground-fault protection. Dual-function breakers provide both in a single device, saving panel space and simplifying your electrical system while meeting the latest NEC code requirements.
Obsolete Breaker Replacement
Federal Pacific Stab-Lok, Zinsco, and Challenger breakers have documented failure rates that make them unsafe. If your panel contains any of these brands, we replace the breakers or recommend a full panel replacement depending on the severity of the issue.
Tripping Diagnosis & Repair
A breaker that keeps tripping is telling you something. The problem may be the breaker itself, an overloaded circuit, a short circuit in the wiring, or a ground fault. We diagnose the root cause before replacing anything, ensuring the new breaker resolves the actual problem.
Our Replacement Process
Diagnose the Problem
We start by determining why the breaker is failing. We test the breaker itself, check the circuit for overloads, inspect the wiring for shorts or ground faults, and examine the bus bar connections inside the panel. The diagnosis determines whether you need a simple breaker swap or a more comprehensive repair.
Select the Correct Replacement
Breakers are not interchangeable between panel brands. We match the replacement breaker to your panel manufacturer, the correct amperage rating, and the appropriate protection type (standard, AFCI, GFCI, or dual-function). Using the wrong breaker can cause arcing at the bus bar and void your panel warranty.
Install and Torque to Spec
We de-energize the panel, remove the failed breaker, inspect the bus bar for damage or discoloration, install the new breaker, and torque all connections to the manufacturer's specifications. Loose connections are a leading cause of breaker failure and electrical fires.
Test and Verify
We re-energize the circuit, test the breaker under load, verify proper operation of AFCI or GFCI trip functions if applicable, and confirm the original problem is resolved. We also update your panel schedule label so every breaker is clearly identified.
Why Professional Replacement Matters
Working inside an electrical panel is one of the most dangerous tasks in residential electrical work. Here is why you should never attempt breaker replacement yourself.
Live Panel Hazards
Even when individual breakers are turned off, the main bus bars inside your panel remain energized with 240 volts. Contact with the bus bar can cause severe burns or electrocution. Licensed electricians understand the safety protocols and use insulated tools designed for live panel work.
Correct Breaker Compatibility
Installing a breaker that is not designed for your specific panel creates a poor connection to the bus bar. This causes arcing, overheating, and potential fire. Different panel manufacturers use different bus bar designs, and breakers must be an exact match. We stock breakers for all major panel brands.
Identifying Underlying Problems
A tripping breaker is a symptom, not always the problem. The real issue may be a short circuit in the wall, a ground fault in an appliance, or a circuit carrying more load than it was designed for. Replacing the breaker without diagnosing the cause can mask a dangerous condition.
Code Compliance Updates
When we replace a breaker, we check whether current code requires an upgrade to AFCI or GFCI protection for that circuit. This is especially important in older Aiken homes where original breakers pre-date modern safety requirements. We bring your circuits into compliance during the replacement.
Circuit Breaker Replacement Pricing
Unity Power & Light provides flat-rate pricing for circuit breaker replacement. You will know the exact cost before we begin work -- no hourly billing and no surprise charges.
Pricing varies based on your panel brand, the type of breaker required, and whether additional diagnostic work is needed to identify the root cause of tripping issues. We provide an exact quote after inspecting your panel.
Want to know more about when breaker replacement is necessary? Read our blog post: When to Replace a Circuit Breaker in Aiken, SC
Why Choose Unity Power & Light
Need other electrical work done at the same time? We offer a full range of residential electrical services including panel upgrades, outlet installation, lighting, and more. Combining projects in a single visit saves you time and money.
Need a Circuit Breaker Replaced?
Serving Aiken, SC and surrounding communities including North Augusta, Graniteville, New Ellenton, Jackson, and Clearwater. Get your flat-rate quote today.