200A 4 pole main

[Electriman]

Greetings,

I am looking at a house that the service panel main breaker is 4 pole 200A instead of 2 pole 200A. Can I replace it for a 2 pole 200A?I would like to make some space to add an EV charger.

 

[tom baker]

Is it a 200A breaker that takes up 4 slots/spaces? Typically when we say pole it’s number of conductors, ie a 4 pole xfr switch that switches the neutral.
So it may be possible to install a smaller 200A main, need make, model and age of panel.

 

[infinity]

It's likely a GE 200 amp, 2-pole main factory made from 4-100 amp units. It's not a 4 pole circuit breaker.

 

[LarryFine]

Years ago, I asked a company engineer about those breakers. He said two of the poles are basically 100a breakers and the other two are parallel switches.

 

[infinity]

Years ago, I asked a company engineer about those breakers. He said two of the poles are basically 100a breakers and the other two are parallel switches.

I don't believe that. It looks like 4-100 amp breakers with two in parallel for each pole.

 

[ramsy]

Can I replace it for a 2 pole 200A?

The GE bus configuration usually allows tandems everywhere except the main.

 

[tom baker]

I have seen 200 ASq D breakers that go across the panel 2 spaces each side

 

[tom baker]

So back to the original question, could the OP use twins?

 

[LarryFine]

So back to the original question, could the OP use twins?

I don't believe a 2-space 200a breaker exists.

 

[jaggedben]

Greetings,

I am looking at a house that the service panel main breaker is 4 pole 200A instead of 2 pole 200A. Can I replace it for a 2 pole 200A?I would like to make some space to add an EV charger.

No.

So back to the original question, could the OP use twins?

No.

 

[jaggedben]

It's likely a GE 200 amp, 2-pole main factory made from 4-100 amp units. It's not a 4 pole circuit breaker.

Or it could be Siemens/Murray or Homeline.

 

[jim dungar]

I don't believe a 2-space 200a breaker exists.

I agree. The plug-in connection is usually the limiting factor. I don't know of any that are rated above 150A.

 

[jaggedben]

I agree. The plug-in connection is usually the limiting factor. I don't know of any that are rated above 150A.

There are a couple that exist (Siemens QN and Eaton BJ). But they require a double column style panelboard configuration and thus wouldn't work in any of the single column meter/mains that use the aforementioned 4-pole breakers direct to the busbar.

Edit: or rather, those are also basically 4 space breakers.

 

[Electriman]

Here is a picture of it.

 

[LarryFine]

Here is a picture of it.

You have plenty of other breakers you can replace with tandems.

I would replace the lowest circuits you can with the tandems, and use a full-sized 2p for the charger.

 

[Electriman]

Here is a picture of it.

Can I replace it with two space breaker 200A? Clearly it takes 4 spaces.

 

[LarryFine]

Can I replace it with two space breaker 200A? Clearly it takes 4 spaces.

Let us know if you find one, so we can see what it is, then we'll answer you.

If it was adequate, you could replace it with a 100a, 125a, or 150a breaker.

 

[jaggedben]

Can I replace it with two space breaker 200A? Clearly it takes 4 spaces.

NO.

Replace some of the other breakers with tandems to make space.

 

[tom baker]

So back to the original question, could the OP use twins?

IE use twins for branch circuits to open up spaces for the EV charger

 

[norcal]

Can I replace it with two space breaker 200A? Clearly it takes 4 spaces.

Where are you going to find a 200A breaker only using 2 spaces, have seen a BR 150A breaker only requiring 2 spaces, but BR is is not classified for Siemens enclosures. As others have said, twin breakers are the answer, cheaper & easier then trying to substitute the main.