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Circuit Breakers

Circuit Breaker Installation, Repair & Replacement

Protect your home

Are your breakers doing their job or just getting in the way?
Circuit breakers are one of the most overlooked but critical parts of your electrical system. If they’re tripping too often or not at all they might be protecting your home… or failing silently.

At BTE Electric, we help homeowners understand what’s going on behind the panel and replace or repair faulty breakers to keep your system safe, efficient, and up to code.

What Is a Circuit Breaker?

A circuit breaker is a safety device designed to “trip” and cut off power when there’s too much current flowing through a circuit. It helps prevent:

  • Electrical fires caused by overloads or short circuits
  • Damage to appliances and electronics
  • Shock hazards from faulty wiring


Your home’s main panel contains dozens of breakers that control different areas or appliances. But over time, breakers can wear out, fail to trip, or become too small for the circuit they’re supposed to protect.

Common Questions About Circuit Breakers

Q. What Are the Signs You May Have a Bad or Undersized Circuit Breaker?

ANSWER: We get calls from homeowners all the time asking, “Why does this breaker keep tripping?” or “Is this normal?”

Here are common signs that a breaker might need to be repaired or replaced:

  • It trips frequently, even with normal use
  • It won’t reset, or feels loose
  • It’s warm or buzzing to the touch
  • There are signs of scorching or discoloration around the panel
  • You’re running new appliances and aren’t sure if the circuit can handle it

We can test the breaker, check the circuit load, and tell you whether it’s a faulty breaker or a deeper wiring issue.

ANSWER: At Bierlein-Trombley Electric, we work with all common residential breaker types, including:

  • Standard thermal magnetic breakers
  • GFCI breakers (for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms
  • AFCI breakers (for arc fault protection in living areas)
  • Dual-function GFCI/AFCI breakers
  • Surge-protection breakers
  • Tandem breakers (for expanding space in limited panels)


We’ll always install what’s required for your situation and only what you need.

ANSWER: We work with just about every major brand of circuit breaker used in residential homes old and new. Whether you’re dealing with a trusted name like Square D or a panel that’s known to be problematic (yes, we’re looking at you, Federal Pacific), BTE Electric knows how to identify what’s safe, what’s serviceable, and what needs to be upgraded.

Breaker Brands We Service & Install:

We regularly service and install breakers from reliable, modern brands, including:

  • Square D (QO and Homeline)
  • Eaton
  • Cutler-Hammer (BR and CH)
  • Siemens
  • GE
  • Leviton
  • Schneider Electric


These brands offer solid protection, wide availability of parts, and strong support for code compliance, including GFCI and AFCI breakers.

If your home already has one of these panel types, we can often replace individual breakers, add new ones, or upgrade to modern safety standards without needing a full panel replacement.

ANSWER: Some breaker and panel brands have known design flaws that make them unsafe even if they appear to be working fine. If we find one of these in your home, we’ll walk you through your options and explain why replacement is strongly recommended:

  • Federal Pacific (FPE) – Breakers have been shown to fail during overloads or short circuits, creating a fire hazard.
  • Zinsco / Sylvania – Known for melting to the bus bar and not tripping under fault conditions.
  • Challenger – Breakers can overheat and pose a fire risk, especially in older installations.
  • Pushmatic – Hard-to-reset, obsolete panels that don’t meet current code.


If you have one of these, we won’t just patch it and walk away we’ll explain the risks and offer safe, code-compliant upgrade options.

Not Sure What Brand You Have? We’ll Check.

It’s not always easy to tell what kind of breakers or panel your home has, especially if it was installed decades ago. During a service call, we’ll inspect your electrical panel and let you know:

  • The brand and type of breakers installed
  • Whether replacement breakers are still available
  • If your panel meets today’s safety standards
  • Whether repair or replacement is the best investment


With BTE, you don’t have to be an expert we’ll explain everything in plain language and give you real answers.

ANSWER: Here’s what you can expect:

  • Standard breaker replacement: $125–$300 (For multiple breaker installations, BTE offers cost savings)
  • GFCI or AFCI breaker: $175–$350 (more if load-side rewiring is needed)
  • Fixing a Tripping Breaker: $125-$300+ depending on complexity of the situation
  • New circuit and breaker install (for appliance or remodel): $200–$600+


We always provide clear, upfront pricing before any work begins. BTE never plays games with your budget.

ANSWER: Yes, circuit breakers do wear out especially after years of use or repeated tripping. A breaker that looks fine can fail internally and no longer trip when it should. That’s why we don’t just replace a breaker—we test and verify that the entire circuit is safe, properly sized, and up to code.

ANSWER: You could but it’s not always safe or code-compliant. We’ve seen plenty of DIY installs where the wrong breaker was used, or the wiring was sized incorrectly. That can cause fires, nuisance tripping, or damaged electronics and may even void insurance claims if something goes wrong.

With BTE Electric, you get licensed electricians who make sure:

  • The correct breaker type and size is installed
  • Wiring is inspected and verified
  • Load balancing is done properly
  • Any required GFCI/AFCI protection is added
  • The work is safe, labeled, and inspection-ready

ANSWER: At Bierlein-Trombley Electric, we’re your local electrical experts, committed to your safety and satisfaction. Here’s why customers choose us:

When we service your breakers, you can expect:

  • Fast, clean, professional repairs
  • Skilled Licensed Technicians
  • Real answers and helpful explanations
  • Code-compliant upgrades and safety-first installations
  • Service that respects your home and your time

Have Questions About Your Breakers? Let’s Talk.

Whether you’re dealing with constant trips, planning a remodel, or adding a new appliance, BTE is here to help. We’ll inspect your breakers, diagnose the issue, and walk you through your options no pressure. Call now or request a free estimate.  Let’s make sure your breakers are protecting your home, not holding it back.