Can I add a breaker without turning off the power to the panal?

Hey there, I don't have a main shut off and the only way I can shut off my power is by scheduling it with the electrical company. So I want to know if I can add a breaker without turning off the power to the panal. Would shutting off all breakers make it safe to do? Will i get shocked adding the nuetral and ground wires to there bus bars?

I am not an electrician, however I worked as an apprentice for a while.. You are saying there is no main breaker on the panel? It should have one..

Nope, no main shut off

one side of your box will be hot unless they shut it off on the street.

you can snap a new breaker in there without shutting down. don't touch ANYTHING shiny.

theres a shut off on there somewhere... it may even be one of the breakers in the panel, it maybe outside on the meterbox

but snapping one in is a cinch, just be careful not to let your fingers slip of the breaker, and be sure its seated firmly on the bus rail when your done.
it makes it alot easier too if you land the wire on the breaker before you snap it in...

let me post a pic of it.... one sec...

So i can touch/Screw in the nuetral and ground wires?

Yes, I believe Iam5toned was referring to attaching the wires to the breaker itself before putting it in, and then attach the neutral or ground.. not sure if you are putting in a 220 or a 110.

the ground wont shock you.
the only way the neutral will shock you is if the power is on to the circuit your working on..
so hook up the ground first, then the neutral. once those two are landed put the hot wire on the breaker and snap it in.
turn it on.
enjoy

You can work on a panel hot, and is often required because some business/homes just can't afford to lose power while you work on them. That being said, it's dangerous and you should be sure not to touch anything with your hand, it also helps to wrap your screw driver shaft in electrical tape. I find it hard to believe the panel has no main shutoff though as the NEC started in 1897

AquafinaOrbit said:

I find it hard to believe the panel has no main shutoff though as the NEC started in 1897

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I was thinking the same thing..

judging by the thread creators name......im gunna have to say refrain from your alcoholic tendencies for this job!

& no being a hero!

i see no empty slot in that panel. =-/

you aren't just changing the breaker to a larger amperage are you?

i don't see a pic.

robert 14617 said:

i don't see a pic.

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opps, i had to approve it.

that panel is full ,are there other boxes?

if your scared go to church haha.. kidding, get a double pull breaker, you can use a double pole with two 20 amps on it to help safe on space, make sure your wire gauge is correct size for what your doing, I like to use nothing smaller then 12-2.

shut the breaker off that you want to replace, then unscrew the wires going to that breaker and make sure you use a good screw driver, then install the new breaker in that same location and run your wires to the new breaker and then you know what to do from there

50amp single pull to a sub panal... getting rid of my garbage disposal breaker...

drunknhero said:

Hey there, I don't have a main shut off and the only way I can shut off my power is by scheduling it with the electrical company. So I want to know if I can add a breaker without turning off the power to the panal. Would shutting off all breakers make it safe to do? Will i get shocked adding the nuetral and ground wires to there bus bars?

Click to expand...

If you need to ask, hire an electrician.