Property manager wanted me to inspect the sub panel, and I saw a 30amp 240v. disconnect on the outside, feeding a new murray sub panel in the laundry room. It's a indoor load center 200 amp. and they didn't use the main breaker, they went to a 30amp 240v breaker backfeed, to supply the sub panel. Any thing wrong with this? I think the breaker has to be rated for this right? How would I find that info also. Thank you.
Any code issues regarding backfeeding a breaker?
- Thread starter zappy
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Logan, Utah
Take a look at 408.36(D)
Chris
Chris
- Location
- Logan, Utah
Looks like Gus beat me to it.
Chris
Chris
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
If there is a 30 amp disco ahead of the panel they could have gone straight to the 200 amp breaker on the panel-- Wire size may be an issue tho.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Yes, a main breaker kit would work also for the dp 30 amp breaker already installed
Thanks for your help everyone. What does a main breaker kit consist of? Also I didn't see anything wrong either going to that 200 amp main, the feeder is protected by a 30amp fused disco.
Pierre C Belarge
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Listing of the breaker may come into play.
Some breakers are not listed for backfeeding.
Some breakers are not listed for backfeeding.
JohnJ0906
Senior Member
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
The wire might have been too small for the lugs on the 200 amp breaker.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Main breaker kit usually is a piece of plastic that fastens to the loadcenter and keep pressure on the breaker so it can't pull out.
Here is a bad picture of a breaker with the retainer clip for GE
Where would I find this info? In the white book?
Cow
Senior Member
- Location
- Eastern Oregon
- Occupation
- Electrician
I backfeed Siemens breakers all the time for small subpanels. But I'll admit, I've never checked the listing.:-?
Main breaker kit usually is a piece of plastic that fastens to the loadcenter and keep pressure on the breaker so it can't pull out.
Here is a bad picture of a breaker with the retainer clip for GE
The picture you posted is of a Siemens breaker & retainer.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Unless the breaker itself has its terminals marked line and load, you are permitted to use either set of terminals as the line, per the UL listing for breakers.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
As Don said, breakears are intended to be back fed unless they have a label saying otherwise. And as long as the breaker is mechanically fastened (i.e. held by a screw) in the panel.
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
I think the Murray clip snaps in without screws. If it does need a screw one would be provided.
Pierre C Belarge
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Yes, this information is found in the UL White Book, and the MCCB Marking Guide as well.
Do you know where I can find this clip? I've called around and no one has it.
TOOL_5150
Senior Member
- Location
- bay area, ca
Dennis, you should remove that picture. Its on a secure server, notice: "https://" and causing a certificate popup to come up every time page 1 on the thread is accessed.
~Matt
- Status