How to Install a 30-Amp Ground Fault Circuit Breaker in a Panel

Turn off the main breaker in the outdoor main panel. Remove the inner panel by holding the panel with one hand while removing the screws holding it in place. Use both hands to remove the panel by pulling it straight out.

Use the voltmeter to confirm that the panel is off. Set the meter to a minimum of 250 volts a/c. Touch one of the meter's probes to one of the existing breaker's hot terminals. Touch the other probe to a ground or neutral wire. If no voltage is indicated, the panel is safe to work on.

Find a suitable spot in the panel for the breaker where two adjacent slots are available. Hook the breaker onto the center bar in the panel while holding it at a 30-degree angle. Rotate the breaker into the panel until it latches on the buss bars.

Strip the two red and/or black wires about 1/2 inch from the ends and push the wires through the terminals on the breaker. Secure the wires by tightening the screws. Attach the curled white wire coming from the breaker to the neutral buss bar and tighten in place.

Replace the inner cover on the panel using the screws removed previously. If the inner cover has a metal plate preventing the panel from fitting because of the new breaker, break off the appropriate tabs on the cover before installing it.

Turn on the main breaker. Connect the load to the GFCI circuit and turn the GFCI breaker on. Confirm that the GFCI breaker does not trip. Push the test button on the breaker and ensure that it shuts off the circuit. Push the reset button on the GFCI and confirm that the connected appliance has power.