skip to main content

Electrical Wiring

Curious about 20 Amp circuit breaker

17 years ago

I have a 1976 Stab-lock electrical box in the garage. It takes Federal Pioneer circuit breakers. It was professionally installed. Never a problem.

Curious. I tried to put in a double pole 20 Amp circuit breaker on the right side (there are about 5 empty slots. I couldn't get any power out of it. It seemed to go in fine, was wired OK (at least I think) and so on. There are 2 single 15 amp breakers on the right side and they work fine.

As a last resort, I removed a 40 amp double breaker on the left side that wasn't being used (an outlet for an arc welder). I replaced it with the double pole 20 amp breaker....works like a charm.

This is a posting without a problem because I'm happy and everything is fine. I'm curious, however, why the breaker didn't work on the right side?

One issue (and I don't think it would matter?) is that I used the left side of the box to ground the 12/2 wire 20 Amp breaker when I unsuccessfully tried it on the right side. I can't see, however, how that would matter.

A side question: can more than one circuit breaker be grounded (the copper wire) in a grounding slot? (the screws on the vertical bar that hold in the ground wire in the electric box).

Thanks for any insights. If I understand the principles involved I feel more comfortable when it comes to electrical and plumbling.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Ron Natalie
17 years ago
These panels and the breakers are bad news. See the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: FPE Hazard Site
joefixit2
17 years ago
If it is a 1 inch breaker it won't provide 240 volts unless you straddle the divider between the stabs, so one half of the breaker is on one bus stab, and the other half is on another. If you plug it into the same square, you will only have 2 single pole 20 amp breakers, no 240.
Related Discussions
30 amp heater, 20 amp breaker
Q
Comments (1)
You may have a 'generous' 20 amp breaker on the circuit, and the heater may be a little low in power. Devices draw the amperage they require, so changing to a 30 A breaker will not increase the output. There is not really a hazard in using an undersized breaker. If you have #10 conductors you can switch to a 30 A breaker but the preformance will remain the same.
...See More
upgrading circuit breaker amps to one room?
Q
Comments (4)
No, you cannot replace the breaker with a 30A because the wiring is only #14 ga.. 30A breakers require #10ga. wiring. If you replace the breaker with 30A, you are inviting an electrical fire as the load would exceed the current carrying capacity of the wire. No sane electrician would install this. The only choice you have is to install NEW plug-in, wiring and breakers dedicated to your equipment. at 2000W, you will need a minimum of 16A(20A breaker) and at 5000W you will need a minimum of 42A(50A breaker). That is ONLY for your equipment.
...See More
Can I run a 15Amp/14awg branch of a 20Amp/12awg circuit?
Q
Comments (6)
Don't do it. The presence of the #12 at the panel would lead anyone to believe that the circuit could be properly protected at 20 amps even if you should change the breaker to a 15 amp. Use #12 for any extensions of the circuit. You have no control over that property after your ownership ends-- and it most certainly will do that.
...See More
150 amp circuit breaker instead of 200 amp?
Q
Comments (5)
It wasn't bid specifically. We picked a house plan we liked, made some changes to the floorplan and elevation, then picked the floors, finishes, cabinets, etc. They gave us a specific price for that plan without mention of the electrical components. (Maybe I should not call that semi-custom(?).) But they have used 200 amps in ALL of their houses, including the house they just finished the next street over that is smaller and less expensive. They even use 200 in their production/cookie-cutter houses....
...See More
DavidR
17 years ago
Alpiner is in Canada. Supposedly Canadian FPE panels were different from ours and are not (as) dangerous. I wouldn't trust it anyway, but that's me.
bigbird_1
17 years ago
"Supposedly Canadian FPE panels were different from ours and are not (as) dangerous. I wouldn't trust it anyway, but that's me."

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Canadian FPE panels & breakers were and still are the most popular brand in Canada. They are consistently recommended and installed by countless electricians here. Thay are NOT, I repeat... NOT, of the same design or manufacture as the US version. I have no idea why you wouldn't trust them.

Related Stories

LIFE The Beautiful Thing About Dad's Chair

By Mitchell Parker

My father had his own spot in the house. His father had his own spot. Now I have mine

WORKING WITH PROS 10 Things Decorators Want You to Know About What They Do

By Laura Gaskill

They do more than pick pretty colors. Here's what decorators can do for you — and how you can help them

ARCHITECTURE 10 Things to Know About Prefab Homes

By Laura Gaskill

Are prefab homes less costly, faster to build and greener than homes constructed onsite? Here are answers to those questions and more

LIGHTING What to Know About Switching to LED Lightbulbs

By Karen Egly-Thompson

If you’ve been thinking about changing over to LEDs but aren't sure how to do it and which to buy, this story is for you

KITCHEN DESIGN Houzz Call: Tell Us About Your First Kitchen

By Becky Harris

Great or godforsaken? Ragtag or refined? We want to hear about your younger self’s cooking space

FUN HOUZZ Guessing Game: What Might Our Living Rooms Say About Us?

By Samantha Schoech

Take a shot on your own or go straight to just-for-fun speculations about whose homes these could be

GARDENING GUIDES New Ways to Think About All That Mulch in the Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you go making a mountain out of a mulch hill, learn the facts about what your plants and soil really want

REMODELING GUIDES What to Know About Budgeting for Your Home Remodel

By Incite Design

Plan early and be realistic to pull off a home construction project smoothly

WORKING WITH PROS 10 Things Architects Want You to Know About What They Do

By Laura Gaskill

Learn about costs, considerations and surprising things architects do — plus the quick route to pinning down their style

COLOR Bye-Bye, Minimalist White — The New Nordic Style Is All About Color

By A

The Scandinavian color palette is moving away from pale, cool shades with hot new hues on walls and floors

Sponsored

More Discussions

Am I missing something ???

2

undercounter power strip and lighting

3

challenging lighting situation - under upper flight of stairs

13

Killing electric outlet behind cabinet

4

Why would only one outlet be working and no others on the same breaker

2