I have a panel in an apartment that when I turn off the breaker the power is stil on. I have GE Apartment panel and I had get the conversion kit to have a main disconnect on the panel so I tenant would only have to turn off the main breaker. Once I turn the main power on from the basement disconnect and then I go into the apartment the breaker in the apartment panel is not cutting the power off in the panel in the breaker it just stays on.
Breaker in apartment
- Thread starter rbizzell
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Re: Breaker in apartment
There are only two possibilities. Either you have a bad breaker which still passes current even though it is in the off position or you have a mis-wired panel. I would bet that the panel is improperly wired.
15 or 20 seconds of testing with a voltmeter should tell you which it is.
There are only two possibilities. Either you have a bad breaker which still passes current even though it is in the off position or you have a mis-wired panel. I would bet that the panel is improperly wired.
15 or 20 seconds of testing with a voltmeter should tell you which it is.
bdarnell
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis, IN
- Occupation
- Retired Engineer
Re: Breaker in apartment
Sounds like something is marked wrong. Can you put a circuit tracer on the feeder and verify that it's on the breaker you think it is ?
Sounds like something is marked wrong. Can you put a circuit tracer on the feeder and verify that it's on the breaker you think it is ?
Re: Breaker in apartment
Sounds like the feeders are connected to the main lugs instead of the sub panel main breaker.
BTW, how are those GE appt. panels. I have never used one.
Then again, I'm an Irredeemable Square D fan.
[ February 12, 2006, 01:39 AM: Message edited by: Matt Harp ]
Sounds like the feeders are connected to the main lugs instead of the sub panel main breaker.
BTW, how are those GE appt. panels. I have never used one.
Then again, I'm an Irredeemable Square D fan.
[ February 12, 2006, 01:39 AM: Message edited by: Matt Harp ]
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
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- Massachusetts Master Electrician, one man show.
Re: Breaker in apartment
Here is my guess. Your original panel was a main lug panel. You installed a main breaker in the panel. The wires are still feeding the main lugs and not the new main breaker.
Here is my guess. Your original panel was a main lug panel. You installed a main breaker in the panel. The wires are still feeding the main lugs and not the new main breaker.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2023
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: Breaker in apartment
I haven't seen the type of panel being discussed.
I've worked with Square D & Siemens, and those required you to remove the Main Lugs to install a Main Breaker. I can't imagine what this would look like with both in place.
Why did you install a main breaker in the panel in the first place?
As Roger mentioned, where is your supervisor?
I haven't seen the type of panel being discussed.
I've worked with Square D & Siemens, and those required you to remove the Main Lugs to install a Main Breaker. I can't imagine what this would look like with both in place.
Why did you install a main breaker in the panel in the first place?
As Roger mentioned, where is your supervisor?
Re: Breaker in apartment
George,
I have seen these panels but never used one.
It appears that they are a lot like Square D homeline value pack panels.
I got the impression that this was a side job or he was replacing the panel in his own appt. which, I guess, would still be a side job.
George,
I have seen these panels but never used one.
It appears that they are a lot like Square D homeline value pack panels.
I got the impression that this was a side job or he was replacing the panel in his own appt. which, I guess, would still be a side job.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2023
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: Breaker in apartment
If that's the case, he needs to be advised that messing with someone else's property (as in, the landlord's) without a license or permission is a very bad idea.
I'd be interested in hearing more details of the story.
I got that impression from the "I tenant" slip.
If that's the case, he needs to be advised that messing with someone else's property (as in, the landlord's) without a license or permission is a very bad idea.
I'd be interested in hearing more details of the story.
Re: Breaker in apartment
Matt, side job or his own appartment, this work should be performed by a licensed contractor.
When he moves out someone else will be renting this unit with the potential problems/dangers still there.
If it is his own property and his primary residence then he could go for it, but even with this being the case, it should be permitted and inspected.
Rbizzell, it is not my intent to belittle you in any way.
Roger
Matt, side job or his own appartment, this work should be performed by a licensed contractor.
When he moves out someone else will be renting this unit with the potential problems/dangers still there.
If it is his own property and his primary residence then he could go for it, but even with this being the case, it should be permitted and inspected.
Rbizzell, it is not my intent to belittle you in any way.
Roger
sparkslord
Member
Re: Breaker in apartment
This could occur in any brand of main lug panel. Someone must have installed a main breaker attaching it to the bussing. This would require a bolt down kit, which most all brands have. The installer must have accidently landed the feeder on the lugs instead of back-feeding the breaker.
This could occur in any brand of main lug panel. Someone must have installed a main breaker attaching it to the bussing. This would require a bolt down kit, which most all brands have. The installer must have accidently landed the feeder on the lugs instead of back-feeding the breaker.
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