MJRobinson
Member
- Location
- Chico, CA, USA
Assuming that it's fed by service conductors, since it's an MLO panel the 120% rule does not apply unless you install a main breaker. Anything you land in that panel as it is would be a supply side interconnection. It's a bit scary/ugly/old, though.Howdy,
I came across this residence with an older panel with no main.
I can't tell what size panel it is? 125A or 200A. I have an SMA 7.0 that requires a 40A OCPD.
View attachment 20248
Assuming that it's fed by service conductors, since it's an MLO panel the 120% rule does not apply unless you install a main breaker. Anything you land in that panel as it is would be a supply side interconnection. It's a bit scary/ugly/old, though.
right now it only has five handles - so you can add one more - presuming it is suitable for use as service equipment without a single main breaker. many "loadcenters" require the main breaker before they are suitable for use as service equipment - see instructions - if they are still readable.
Well then if he adds PV he still has ability to add one more later:thumbsup:Even if there were six handles already a PV breaker does not count as a seventh. Mr. Holt has video on the subject and I used it to convince my local AHJ of this.
With "loadcenters" and at least more recent (past 25 years) models, I find it more common to see label stating it is only suitable for use as service equipment when supplied via a main breaker or something to that effect.That panel may have had a label that says no more than six handles, in which case Mike's argument wouldn't sway. It's more debatable when the situation is disconnects tapping off a gutter.
Fair enough. Most my experience when investigating this kind of issue has been with Square D loadcenters. If you read instructions, most of them require a main breaker if used as service equipment. I suppose other brands may be different, and older units could be different then newer units as well.For what it's worth, my experience differs, I see the 'not more than six handles' wording on lots of 'loadcenter' labels, at least if they are 12 spaces or less.
The point is, it's a pretty sure bet that the panel in the OP's picture either had the six-handle limit labeled (when the label was all still there), or it has been improperly installed or modified.