How to Tell If You Have a Weak Breaker

Open the cover of the home's breaker box, which is usually located on an outside wall or in the basement or garage. Locate the circuit breaker that you want to test -- breakers are usually marked with the circuit they serve, or a list on the inside of the breaker box's cover contains this information.

Check to see that the circuit breaker's switch is in its "On" position. If it is not, first switch it to its "Off" position, then to its "On" position. (Some breaker switches, when tripped, rest in the middle between the "On" and "Off" positions). For newer circuit breakers, press the "Test" button on the front of the breaker. This should trip the breaker. If the breaker does not trip, it is weak or faulty and needs to be replaced. If the breaker trips as it should, turn the breaker's switch to its "On" position.

Remove the breaker box's inner cover by using a screwdriver to loosen and remove the screws holding it in place. Make sure you do not touch any bare metal parts in the breaker box with any part of your body.

Insert new batteries into a 500 volt voltage tester. Touch one of the tester's prongs to one of the circuit breaker's terminal screws, then touch the tester's other prong to the breaker box or ground bar. If the tester's light goes on, the breaker is working properly. If the tester's light stays off, the circuit breaker is weak or faulty and must be replaced.

Replace the breaker box's inner cover and close its outer cover.