20 space Siemans panel

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John120/240

Senior Member
Location
Olathe, Kansas
Why would these penny pinching electrical contractors install a 20 space panel, then load it up

with tandem breakers ?? What do you save, with the cost of tandem breakers ? To top it all

off they landed a 14-3 MWBC on the same tandem. damn cheapscates.:rant: Anyway it is

money in the bank to fix stupid stuff.
 

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
I am sure it is a bit of a cost saver but I hate it also. I buy a straight 40 cir. panel but sometimes I go with a 30/40 if I only have 20 or so breakers spacers filled.
 

stevebea

Senior Member
Location
Southeastern PA
Why would these penny pinching electrical contractors install a 20 space panel, then load it up

with tandem breakers ?? What do you save, with the cost of tandem breakers ? To top it all

off they landed a 14-3 MWBC on the same tandem. damn cheapscates.:rant: Anyway it is

money in the bank to fix stupid stuff.

So they can can come a year later and install a subpanel when the HO finishes their basement! ;)
 

maghazadeh

Senior Member
Location
Campbell CA
Why would these penny pinching electrical contractors install a 20 space panel, then load it up

with tandem breakers ?? What do you save, with the cost of tandem breakers ? To top it all

off they landed a 14-3 MWBC on the same tandem. damn cheapscates.:rant: Anyway it is

money in the bank to fix stupid stuff.

It is not cost saving reason all the time. There are some ECs out there that for finding amacity of a panel they add up the # of CBs plus the amp rating, and there are some who think for a 100 amp sub panel they shouldn't have more than 18 - 20 spaces.
 

Teaspoon

Senior Member
Location
Camden,Tn.
I am sure it is a bit of a cost saver but I hate it also. I buy a straight 40 cir. panel but sometimes I go with a 30/40 if I only have 20 or so breakers spacers filled.

I agree it is a good practice to use 40 circuit panel .
I most always use 40/40 panels. Sometimes if space is an issue like on a change-out I will use a 30/40. Not that much of a savings useing smaller panels. Even if changeing out a 100amp panel I like to use a 30 circuit.
 

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
Good luck getting an AFCI breaker in with all that 3 conductor.
Unless he extends the circuits he should not need afci on the existing ones. However if you use a GE panel their single pole afci's are designed for this purpose. You would need handle ties , of course.



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Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
I added the diagram to the post above but want to be clear that GE is the only brand that will allow this hookup.
 

Strife

Senior Member
Because most of what you can find is either 20 or 42 spaces panels. I can't seem to find the 32 spaces in stock any longer.
And the 42 spaces are HUMONGOUS. It's ridiculous to install those monsters for 20-24 circuits.
I hate to use those 16 spaces panels, but a lot of times I don't have much of a choice as far as space.

Why would these penny pinching electrical contractors install a 20 space panel, then load it up

with tandem breakers ?? What do you save, with the cost of tandem breakers ? To top it all

off they landed a 14-3 MWBC on the same tandem. damn cheapscates.:rant: Anyway it is

money in the bank to fix stupid stuff.
 
Last edited:

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
Why would these penny pinching electrical contractors install a 20 space panel, then load it up

with tandem breakers ?? What do you save, with the cost of tandem breakers ? To top it all

off they landed a 14-3 MWBC on the same tandem. damn cheapscates.:rant: Anyway it is

money in the bank to fix stupid stuff.

It used to be the mobile home manufacturers did this a lot. I think weight was some of the reason - remember this thing has to travel down the road. Most of us could use a 40 ckt panel and full size breakers and spend less than we would for a 20/40 filled with tandems.

AFCI may change this practice - I have not seen any new mobile homes in quite some time to know what they are doing now.
 

cdslotz

Senior Member
I think GE is the only one who makes a true 2P afci breaker. It has a common handle tie.
I chose GE when rebuilding my own home service for this reason. I have several MWBC home runs in my home.
 
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