Is my garage electric up to snuff?

Status
Not open for further replies.
The OP has already clarified that the CB is a 2-pole common trip so it is not a tandem.
 
Joan said:
Hi
...
A prospective buyer is claiming that my setup is not up to code. That there are two circuits sharing a neutral and claims this is very dangerous since they are on a double pole breaker and not on opposite sides of the panel. He says I am likely overloading the neutral wire. ...

Joan
Click to expand...

Is the panel a Bulldog Pushamatic panel? That is the only panel that I am aware of where the wires do have to be on the opposite side of the panel for a 240 volt circuit.
 
Just wanted to let you know that I told the guy I wont be upgrading anything.

He was also making an issue about the alignment of the breakers in my main panel. See photo. He claims the breaker in the 1st position (top left) is either defective or that the power buss was bent because the breaker has the crooked gap between it and the breaker below.

Not sure what to make of that. All the single breakers in the panel move a bit when you wiggle them with your finger. However, that one sits a bit crooked. I took the cover off thinking it was the cause of it being crooked but its like that with the cover off as well.

Is that a valid concern or is the guy playing a game with me?


breaker.jpg
 
Joan said:
Just wanted to let you know that I told the guy I wont be upgrading anything.

He was also making an issue about the alignment of the breakers in my main panel. See photo. He claims the breaker in the 1st position (top left) is either defective or that the power buss was bent because the breaker has the crooked gap between it and the breaker below.

Not sure what to make of that. All the single breakers in the panel move a bit when you wiggle them with your finger. However, that one sits a bit crooked. I took the cover off thinking it was the cause of it being crooked but its like that with the cover off as well.

Is that a valid concern or is the guy playing a game with me?


View attachment 21407
Click to expand...
The guy is an idiot if he really thinks that is a problem.
Not saying you need to do it but, the breaker is easily straightened.

Roger
 
Joan said:
Just wanted to let you know that I told the guy I wont be upgrading anything.

He was also making an issue about the alignment of the breakers in my main panel. See photo. He claims the breaker in the 1st position (top left) is either defective or that the power buss was bent because the breaker has the crooked gap between it and the breaker below.

Not sure what to make of that. All the single breakers in the panel move a bit when you wiggle them with your finger. However, that one sits a bit crooked. I took the cover off thinking it was the cause of it being crooked but its like that with the cover off as well.

Is that a valid concern or is the guy playing a game with me?



View attachment 21407
Click to expand...

Gads!

Guy is a moron and playing a game with you. That small misalignment is common, minor, easily fixed in two minutes, and not a danger.

That is not a valid concern. Also, snap in breakers are always a little “wiggly”.
 
roger said:
The guy is an idiot if he really thinks that is a problem.
Not saying you need to do it but, the breaker is easily straightened.

Roger
Click to expand...

Well maybe not that bad, I still say moron is good enough.:D

Idiots.—Those so defective that the mental development never exceeds that or a normal child of about two years.

Imbeciles.—Those whose development is higher than that of an idiot, but whose intelligence does not exceed that of a normal child of about seven years.

Morons.—Those whose mental development is above that of an imbecile, but does not exceed that of a normal child of about twelve years.

— Edmund Burke Huey, Backward and Feeble-Minded Children, 1912
 
despite his nitpicking, he may be a serious buyer but I think he is also trying to nickel and dime me... theres a few non-electrical issues he has made an issue out of.

However, is the breaker alignment normal? Obviously I could have the breaker replaced easy enough but I think because its in the top position even a new breaker would be crooked like that.... unless I am off base here and I have an issue. What do you think?
 
I agree with Roger the buyer is playing games. If you're willing to walk away and find a better buyer I would take a hard line approach and offer the buyer nothing. Buyers who try to make issues out of nothing will only get worse as you try to close.

My friends just sold their home and the buyers wanted money back after the final walk through for the nail holes in the walls where the pictures were removed, they threatened to walk away from the deal until the realtor gave them a reality check about being incredibly stupid. :slaphead:

Joan said:
However, is the breaker alignment normal? Obviously I could have the breaker replaced easy enough but I think because its in the top position even a new breaker would be crooked like that.... unless I am off base here and I have an issue. What do you think?
Click to expand...

IMO it's perfectly normal. What does he want you to do install a new panel?
 
jumper said:
Well maybe not that bad, I still say moron is good enough.:D

Idiots.—Those so defective that the mental development never exceeds that or a normal child of about two years.

Imbeciles.—Those whose development is higher than that of an idiot, but whose intelligence does not exceed that of a normal child of about seven years.

Morons.—Those whose mental development is above that of an imbecile, but does not exceed that of a normal child of about twelve years.

— Edmund Burke Huey, Backward and Feeble-Minded Children, 1912
Click to expand...

You say toe-ma-toe I say may-ter. :D

Roger
 
Joan said:
despite his nitpicking, he may be a serious buyer but I think he is also trying to nickel and dime me... theres a few non-electrical issues he has made an issue out of.

However, is the breaker alignment normal? Obviously I could have the breaker replaced easy enough but I think because its in the top position even a new breaker would be crooked like that.... unless I am off base here and I have an issue. What do you think?
Click to expand...

It is a nonissue. Your panel is fine or, as stated, could be fixed in about 2 mins if that is what you wanted to shut him up.
 
Missed your post Jumper while posting my last one..

Is it worth paying an electrician to come out to realign the breaker? You say two minutes?? Just remove it and reattach it I presume?

I might be telling this guy "AS-IS".... show me the money... lol! I cant tell if he is kicking tires or is serious.

He went on and on about "how he has seen breakers like that many times" and " that its crooked because the breaker is a manufacture defect or that the power buss is bent and likely has arcing on the buss". Sounded kind of scary for sure.
 
Joan said:
Missed your post Jumper while posting my last one..

Is it worth paying an electrician to come out to realign the breaker? You say two minutes?? Just remove it and reattach it I presume?

I might be telling this guy "AS-IS".... show me the money... lol! I cant tell if he is kicking tires or is serious.
Click to expand...

99% sure reseating the breaker is all that is needed. At worst, a little realignment of the rail that holds the back of the breaker down. Seriously doubt bus is twisted or breaker is bad.

He went on and on about "how he has seen breakers like that many times" and " that its crooked because the breaker is a manufacture defect or that the power buss is bent and likely has arcing on the buss". Sounded kind of scary for sure.
Click to expand...

Roger was correct, he is too stupid to be a moron. He is an idiot.
 
Last edited:
Joan said:
Missed your post Jumper while posting my last one..

Is it worth paying an electrician to come out to realign the breaker? You say two minutes?? Just remove it and reattach it I presume?

I might be telling this guy "AS-IS".... show me the money... lol! I cant tell if he is kicking tires or is serious.

He went on and on about "how he has seen breakers like that many times" and " that its crooked because the breaker is a manufacture defect or that the power buss is bent and likely has arcing on the buss". Sounded kind of scary for sure.
Click to expand...

I would rather pay an electrician to confirm that this guy is a crackpot rather than give him a penny off of the sale price.
 
I will simply tell him he is welcome to bring a licensed electrician into the house as part of his home inspection as a contingency of sale. However, as I think more about it today, I doubt the proceedings will get to that phase.

I think I will just consider the garage electric good and also will ignore the space between breaker as per all of your suggestions. Thank you.
 
Joan said:
I will simply tell him he is welcome to bring a licensed electrician into the house as part of his home inspection as a contingency of sale. However, as I think more about it today, I doubt the proceedings will get to that phase.

I think I will just consider the garage electric good and also will ignore the space between breaker as per all of your suggestions. Thank you.
Click to expand...

Did he already have a home inspection?
 
I have every doubt that he's either a moron or a crackpot.

My guess is he possesses an average intelligence and doesn't actually believe any of what he's saying; he's just using it to negotiate more money in his pocket and less money in yours. Normal people will be tempted to give him what he wants just to make him stop, same as people being tortured. And if you do give in, it will just encourage him to do the same thing next time.

Resist.
Or walk away.
 
The house is being sold As-Is. Either buy it or hit the road. In fact if you want me to fix the alleged issue the price will go up by $5,000.

He will not bother you again. I guarantee.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top