Can I add more breakers to my main panel? (images)
davmp
14 years ago
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pharkus
14 years agoRelated Discussions
plumbing near main breaker panel
Comments (8)The National Electric Code strictly prohibits the installation of water piping in the area below the service equipment you described. Art. 110.26(F)(1)(a) states: "Dedicated Electrical Space. The space equal to the width and depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to a height of 6 feet above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, leak protection apparatus, or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation shall be located in this zone." Water piping located below the panel in this case is prohibited. You can place the piping from this foreign system on the wall above the electrical panel provided it located above the 6 foot high dedicated space and provided it "is installed to avoid damage to the electrical equipment from condensation, leaks, or breaks in such foreign systems."...See MoreAmperage of breakers in main panel
Comments (10)I have upgraded services based on adding new large loads to the house. Large loads, sure. A couple outlets? Gimme a break. Customers are going to be really mad if you add new loads (even at their request) and then have to come back and upgrade the service. It is not a good way to keep customers and get recommendations. There are two ends of the DIY---business scale. There's also a great deal in between. I would argue that my earlier statements are 100% true on the DIY end, and would also 100% agree with you on the business end. ie, my statements were not ever intended to apply to an electrician doing such work as a business. When doing something for paying customers, certainty is very important. I am somewhere in the middle of the scale. I am not in business as an electrician. I do, however, do a lot of work for friends, most of whom fully understand what I'm doing and just don't want to be bothered to do it themselves. One is actually a licensed electrician who is employed at a paper mill, and simply doesn't have time to do much work at home. If you're working on your own project, "try and see" is a perfectly valid method - and that is, in fact, what the original poster is doing. Measuring the loads is also adequate. I wouldn't even come close to arguing with that. As I said, I've never actually tripped a main, and I guess I should alter things a little bit by stating that I apply a lot of subjective, "wow, this house must use a lot of power", mental "measurement". Put differently. If your customer's main trips, they're going to pissed. In my case, however, before I even did the work, I already told the "customer", who is a known friend, "uhh, you're probably pretty close to the limit so it wouldn't surprise me if we have to do this, this, that, and the other thing soon." I have advised the person of the possibilities and what they mean. "Customer" then decides whether or not I continue, and is not surprised with either outcome....See MoreInstalling GFCI breaker - no main breaker in panel
Comments (14)Donnellyjt: Just because you did it and survived doesn't mean its safe or good practice. It may be very easy to stay clear of the bus bar, but what if next time your hand slips? Nobody in their right mind would touch a hot bus intentionally, but the nature of accidents are that they're aren't intentional. I know that many electricians work on the panel hot, but such advise has no place on an electrical message board for do-it-yourselfers. Safety is ALWAYS number one, especially for those with less experience working around electrical equipment. I remember some images floating around the internet showing peoples deformed and mutilated hands who had been electrocuted... They were the lucky ones and actually survived. Its just not worth the risk. Stay Safe...See MoreDo you think I can get breakers for this panel?
Comments (8)You might be surprised. My local hardware store carries a lot of breakers for old panels. Have you tried contacting Cutler Hammer Customer Service directly for info? They now are under the Eaton brand. Here is a link that might be useful: Cutler Hammer / Eaton...See Moredavmp
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