Double tapped breakers
- Thread starter joegregor
- Start date
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- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Double tapped breakers
The NEC does not decide which breakers will accept more than one wire per terminal.
The NEC requires us to follow the ratings on the terminals.
Some breaker manufacturer's decide to make a terminal rated for two conductors others do not.
On large breakers (above 200 amps) it is common for the lugs on the breaker to take 2,3 or 4 conductors each.
It all comes down to how UL tested and listed the terminals.
[ December 04, 2003, 05:23 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
The NEC does not decide which breakers will accept more than one wire per terminal.
The NEC requires us to follow the ratings on the terminals.
Some breaker manufacturer's decide to make a terminal rated for two conductors others do not.
On large breakers (above 200 amps) it is common for the lugs on the breaker to take 2,3 or 4 conductors each.
It all comes down to how UL tested and listed the terminals.
[ December 04, 2003, 05:23 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
Re: Double tapped breakers
Joe, SQ D and CH (depending on type) list their breakers up to 30 amps for two conductors, wire ranges 14 thru 10.
As Iwire mentions, many large frame breakers can be furnished with lugs to accomodate more than two conductors.
Roger
[ December 05, 2003, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: roger ]
Joe, SQ D and CH (depending on type) list their breakers up to 30 amps for two conductors, wire ranges 14 thru 10.
As Iwire mentions, many large frame breakers can be furnished with lugs to accomodate more than two conductors.
Roger
[ December 05, 2003, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: roger ]
tonyi
Senior Member
Re: Double tapped breakers
Most (smaller amp) newer SQ-D's I've seen are listed for multiple wires. There exist some older QO's you may encounter that used a backstab type connection (no screw, the wire pokes in). Those would be single wire only.
SQ-D have had a few different lug designs over the years, so each breaker would need to be looked at to see if it was OK for that particular breaker.
Most (smaller amp) newer SQ-D's I've seen are listed for multiple wires. There exist some older QO's you may encounter that used a backstab type connection (no screw, the wire pokes in). Those would be single wire only.
SQ-D have had a few different lug designs over the years, so each breaker would need to be looked at to see if it was OK for that particular breaker.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Double tapped breakers
If the breaker is not rated for two conductors there is a remote chance of overheating at the terminal.
This could easily be overcome with a wire nut and a pigtail.
As for the overloading it may happen it may not.
If the wiring in the house is up to code and all the conductors on the breaker are rated higher or equal to the breaker an overload if it happens should be only an inconvenience not safety issue.
You need to know what is doubled up to know if it will cause an overload.
If the two required 20 amp kitchen circuits are doubled up you have a violation and most likely will have an overload.
If someone added a single outlet and added it to a lightly loaded circuit what is the problem?
It would be the same thing as coming out of an existing light or outlet to add some things.
In my opinion you are talking about two different issues.
If the breaker is not rated for two conductors there is a remote chance of overheating at the terminal.
This could easily be overcome with a wire nut and a pigtail.
As for the overloading it may happen it may not.
If the wiring in the house is up to code and all the conductors on the breaker are rated higher or equal to the breaker an overload if it happens should be only an inconvenience not safety issue.
You need to know what is doubled up to know if it will cause an overload.
If the two required 20 amp kitchen circuits are doubled up you have a violation and most likely will have an overload.
If someone added a single outlet and added it to a lightly loaded circuit what is the problem?
It would be the same thing as coming out of an existing light or outlet to add some things.
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: Double tapped breakers
If one installs a second conductor to a breaker that is listed for multiple conductors, there is no voilation if all of the installation procedures are followed. As far as overloading the breaker, it will trip. The safety is in the breaker, and most likely the conductors will not overheat, as the overload condition is caused by multiple conductors carrying the load.
I tell a customer that anytime a breaker trips more than three times, it is time to call an electrician.
Pierre
If one installs a second conductor to a breaker that is listed for multiple conductors, there is no voilation if all of the installation procedures are followed. As far as overloading the breaker, it will trip. The safety is in the breaker, and most likely the conductors will not overheat, as the overload condition is caused by multiple conductors carrying the load.
I tell a customer that anytime a breaker trips more than three times, it is time to call an electrician.
Pierre
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