breaker placement
- Thread starter shucker1
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peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Re: breaker placement
No, and it doesn't make any difference whatsoever where they are placed in the panel. I like to place them at the top myself simply for aesthetics, but it has no impact on performance.
No, and it doesn't make any difference whatsoever where they are placed in the panel. I like to place them at the top myself simply for aesthetics, but it has no impact on performance.
macmikeman
Senior Member
- Location
- Planet macmikeman
Re: breaker placement
I don't recall ever seeing that it does.
I don't recall ever seeing that it does.
jeff43222
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: breaker placement
I put them where they'll fit. I just installed a MLO subpanel on Friday, and I wound up putting the 100A breaker in the main panel in the middle of the pack because that's where there were two open slots that resulted from some demo that was done as part of a kitchen remodel.
[ December 11, 2005, 09:30 PM: Message edited by: jeff43222 ]
I put them where they'll fit. I just installed a MLO subpanel on Friday, and I wound up putting the 100A breaker in the main panel in the middle of the pack because that's where there were two open slots that resulted from some demo that was done as part of a kitchen remodel.
[ December 11, 2005, 09:30 PM: Message edited by: jeff43222 ]
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: breaker placement
I believe a better choice is at the top near the main lugs or breaker.Heat rises and also why have high current going all the way thru the bus bars to reach a 100.But nec does not say you cant and if its an add on i would use the space available.
I believe a better choice is at the top near the main lugs or breaker.Heat rises and also why have high current going all the way thru the bus bars to reach a 100.But nec does not say you cant and if its an add on i would use the space available.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: breaker placement
I prefer placing all of the 2-pole breakers on one side, and the single-poles on the other. Often, there is only one neutral bar, and that is the side I place the single-poles on.
Many panels have a stated current-limit per stab, often 100 or 125 amps, so you shouldn't put the largest 2-poles opposing each other, which is another reason I do it this way.
I prefer placing all of the 2-pole breakers on one side, and the single-poles on the other. Often, there is only one neutral bar, and that is the side I place the single-poles on.
Many panels have a stated current-limit per stab, often 100 or 125 amps, so you shouldn't put the largest 2-poles opposing each other, which is another reason I do it this way.
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
Re: breaker placement
I've heard this several times before, but I've never seen a panel so marked. Can someone clue me in on what brands or models these might be, so I don't do something bad down the road?
macmikeman
Senior Member
- Location
- Planet macmikeman
Re: breaker placement
I have seen panels that limit the size of any one breaker installed on the busbars, but I never saw any limit "per stab" writtin as such that I can recall. Larry is probably right, and I was probably reading it just fast enough to see only the part of the breaker limitation, but I still don't recall any "stab" limitation.
I have seen panels that limit the size of any one breaker installed on the busbars, but I never saw any limit "per stab" writtin as such that I can recall. Larry is probably right, and I was probably reading it just fast enough to see only the part of the breaker limitation, but I still don't recall any "stab" limitation.
paul
Senior Member
- Location
- Snohomish, WA
Re: breaker placement
I just put a 200 amp breaker in a 200 amp load center the other day. It took up spaces 1-4.
I just put a 200 amp breaker in a 200 amp load center the other day. It took up spaces 1-4.
TOMWELDS
Member
- Location
- Westchester Cty. New York
Re: breaker placement
A while ago, i researched the 'load per position/breaker'. Some panels rated the top section at "X" amps per and the bottom at a lesser amp load. I wish i still had the literature..very interesting.
A while ago, i researched the 'load per position/breaker'. Some panels rated the top section at "X" amps per and the bottom at a lesser amp load. I wish i still had the literature..very interesting.
sceepe
Senior Member
Re: breaker placement
Most panelboard manufacturers limit the size of the breakers that can be mounted adjacent to one another. For example, for a GE AD plus series board they say:
Also, SQR-D says that "unless otherwise specified", the larger breakers will be arranged closer to the mains.
Most panelboard manufacturers limit the size of the breakers that can be mounted adjacent to one another. For example, for a GE AD plus series board they say:
I'm sure that SQR-D and Siemens are similar. Granted I don't work with residential stuff much, but I would think that there are similar restrictions.
Also, SQR-D says that "unless otherwise specified", the larger breakers will be arranged closer to the mains.
allenwayne
Senior Member
Re: breaker placement
I try to keep some air around afci`s (they do get hotter) and after that grab your leads and run with it,Have never had a problem with 2poles side by side or opposing phases
I try to keep some air around afci`s (they do get hotter) and after that grab your leads and run with it,Have never had a problem with 2poles side by side or opposing phases
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: breaker placement
By the way, my call was to replace the range cord and receptacle because of the fire from the receptacle. Needless to say, I rearranged the breakers when I replaced them.
The most recent time I saw the shared-stab limitation is in the Homeline 200a ML panels in a 7500+ sq.ft. house. I checked because I ran a 90a sub-panel from each panel, using #2 al.
I have: I got a nice zap from a 50a range breaker mounted opposite a 60a electric-heat breaker, and the contacts of one pole of the range breaker welded closed.
By the way, my call was to replace the range cord and receptacle because of the fire from the receptacle. Needless to say, I rearranged the breakers when I replaced them.
The most recent time I saw the shared-stab limitation is in the Homeline 200a ML panels in a 7500+ sq.ft. house. I checked because I ran a 90a sub-panel from each panel, using #2 al.
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