All breakers on one side of the panel?

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

tonype

Senior Member
Location
New Jersey
During a home inspection today, I came across a panel with all distribution circuits on one side (left column). 100-amp service circa the 1970's. All circuits were 120-volt. Something tells me this is not desirable with repsect to "balancing" the panel loads. Am I correct?

Regards,
Tony Shupenko
 
tonype said:
During a home inspection today, I came across a panel with all distribution circuits on one side (left column). 100-amp service circa the 1970's. All circuits were 120-volt. Something tells me this is not desirable with repsect to "balancing" the panel loads. Am I correct?

Regards,
Tony Shupenko
Click to expand...

Its actually more likely to be balanced this way.
 
The chances of balancing a dwelling panel are very slim. Yes, you can put half of the circuits on one phase and the other half on the other phase but in reality this may or may not accomplish any balance at all. But regarding the OP you can put all of the Cb's on one side if you choose. Or put them all on the bottom Cb's, or all on the top Cb's.
 
At best you could try to balance fixed loads (cans,light fixtures,frig,dish washer etc. Your real load in most houses are the 240 volt loads.Unless by chance your most used 120 volt loads land on 1 phase there will not be a problem.
 
Tony, if you think about it, the slots down one side of any panel alternate phases. That's why a 2-pole breaker mounted anywhere receives power from both phases.

I always try to run the 2-pole breakers down one side of the panel, and the single-poles down the other with the largest size nearest the main breaker or lugs (usu. top).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top