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Adding a main Breaker

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Tdubya90

Member
Location
Denver
Occupation
Master electrician
Hello, does anyone know if there is a code that states that the main breaker has to be bolted to the can? I have a customer that has an old panel with no main shut off. Wondering if there's any reason not to just pop a 100 amp breaker to the bus and re-route the feeders to that breaker? Thanks
 
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Tdubya90

Member
Location
Denver
Occupation
Master electrician
Oh, right. Those you just screw the bracket into the back of the can? I think that may work. It's an old Bryant panel
 
tom baker

tom baker

First Chief Moderator & NEC Expert
Staff member
Location
Bremerton, Washington
Occupation
Master Electrician
See section 110.3B
How would you connect line side? Work hot? This would be a backfed breaker with hold down?
 
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Tdubya90

Member
Location
Denver
Occupation
Master electrician
No, I will pull the meter and install the line side to the new breaker and install the hold down kit. What kind of liability is the issue? It seems to be code compliant. Eaton makes a breaker hold down specifically for this situation. I don't see any need to have it permitted...
 
Lioneye

Lioneye

Member
Location
Northwest USA
Occupation
Master Electrician, State Electrical Inspector
If you add a MB to the panel, do you modify (cut) the deadfront for the handle? Install a MB that is approved for this panelboard, or you are voiding the listing. (NEC). Consider an enclosed service rated MB outside or adjacent to the panel, and bond there, and make the panel a sub. Several ways to solve this. Don't know where you are, but this is an alteration that certainly requires an inspection here.
 
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Tdubya90

Member
Location
Denver
Occupation
Master electrician
No, I'm installing it on the bus with a bolt on kit

Lioneye said:
If you add a MB to the panel, do you modify (cut) the deadfront for the handle? Install a MB that is approved for this panelboard, or you are voiding the listing. (NEC). Consider an enclosed service rated MB outside or adjacent to the panel, and bond there, and make the panel a sub. Several ways to solve this. Don't know where you are, but this is an alteration that certainly requires an inspection here.
Click to expand...
 
LarryFine

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
Lioneye said:
If you add a MB to the panel, do you modify (cut) the deadfront for the handle? Install a MB that is approved for this panelboard, or you are voiding the listing. (NEC). Consider an enclosed service rated MB outside or adjacent to the panel, and bond there, and make the panel a sub. Several ways to solve this. Don't know where you are, but this is an alteration that certainly requires an inspection here.
Click to expand...
No, this is merely installing a regular 2p 100a in the top left or right two spaces, affixing it with the correct hold-down screw or clip, and back-feeding the 'load' terminals with the incoming service/feeder conductors to act as the main breaker for the panel.

Fully approved and commonly done. Two examples:

1730864489171.jpeg 1730864526137.jpeg
 
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tom baker

tom baker

First Chief Moderator & NEC Expert
Staff member
Location
Bremerton, Washington
Occupation
Master Electrician
Your poco may have rules on who can pull their cash register. To reinstall the seal they may want permit and inspection.
 
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