fredspence1
Member
What's wrong with these pictures?
doubling on circuit breakers
- Thread starter fredspence1
- Start date
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fredspence1
Member
What's wrong with these pictures
What's wrong with these pictures
Sorry, the pictures were too big...
What's wrong with these pictures
Sorry, the pictures were too big...
K8MHZ
Senior Member
- Occupation
- Electrician
Some breakers are listed for use with two wires. If it is not marked on the breaker seek out the mfg. web site and it should be on there. Some are even listed specifically for use with stranded and solid under the same tab.
Yours looks like it may be designed for one or two wires.
Yours looks like it may be designed for one or two wires.
Sierrasparky
Senior Member
- Location
- USA
- Occupation
- Electrician ,contractor
Yup last time I checked Sq D QO were rated for two wires. This gets those home inspectors every time.
ultramegabob
Senior Member
- Location
- Indiana
Sierrasparky said:
I have had that argument a couple of times:roll:
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
Reflection of the flash from the termination screws? This can be avoided with a specific flash cover/diffuser or tissue paper.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
If one of the wires is stranded and the other solid , then you would have a problem. In either case I find it easier ti just out a pigtail and wirenut the wires together-- one under the breaker. Trying to prove an older panelboard being compliant may be an issue. If this is new then it would be easy to find the info.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Dennis Alwon said:
The issue is with the breaker lug not the panel. The wire capacity is stamped on the side of the QO breaker, they (10-30A) have been rated for two conductors for about forty years.
Brady Electric
Senior Member
- Location
- Asheville, N. C.
doubling on circuit breakers
I do as Dennis does to keep from having to explain
Its amazing how every inspector reads the code different
Every breaker is not rated for doubling up but some are
I have the most trouble with home inspectors who don't know so instead of arguing the point I just pig tail
Semper Fi Buddy
I do as Dennis does to keep from having to explain
Its amazing how every inspector reads the code different
Every breaker is not rated for doubling up but some are
I have the most trouble with home inspectors who don't know so instead of arguing the point I just pig tail
Semper Fi Buddy
G0049
Senior Member
- Location
- Ludington, MI
There's no tape on the wirenut in the second picture? 
K8MHZ said:
When you say "under the same tab" are you referring to a breaker with a "foot" or tiny plate attached to the lug screw ? . Or possibly to plates that squeeze together ?
I was under the impression the the breakers that drive the screw tip down onto the wire are single wire only rated.
K8MHZ
Senior Member
- Occupation
- Electrician
dnem said:
Maybe clamp would have been a better term.
As far as what is rated what, that is up to the mfgr. and should in print somewhere, either on the breaker or on the website.
TOOL_5150
Senior Member
- Location
- bay area, ca
480sparky said:
Looks like 2, possibly 3 breakers are tripped. GOt to love the visitrip feature.
~Matt
JohnJ0906
Senior Member
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
TOOL_5150 said:
At the angle the pictures were taken, the visi-trip red might be visible even with the breaker on.
TOOL_5150
Senior Member
- Location
- bay area, ca
480sparky said:
Thats what I was thinking, not just 1 would be showing.
~Matt
JohnJ0906
Senior Member
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
480sparky said:
If one breaker sits the slightest bit off the rest, it can show like this- I have seen it, where you only see 1 or 2 at the right angle.
I'm not saying it is so in this case, but I have seen it several times before.
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