rhamblin
Senior Member
- Location
- Kaukauna, Wisconsin
Someone asked me this, but I don't remember any codes that limit it to just one. Besides of course the manufacturer listing, are there any specs in the NEC?
Is there a limit to the number of wires you can land on a breaker?
- Thread starter rhamblin
- Start date
- Status
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
Nope.
For small breakers only SQD QO and Cutler Hammer CH (tan handles) are listed for two wires IIRC. None are listed for 3 or more,
Coppersmith
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa, FL, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Interesting. People pay me to fix double-tapped breakers all the time (because the house inspector said it was an issue). I didn't know there were any listed for two wires and truthfully I'm not going to bring the subject up. I like the business!
Sierrasparky
Senior Member
- Location
- USA
- Occupation
- Electrician ,contractor
Interesting. People pay me to fix double-tapped breakers all the time (because the house inspector said it was an issue). I didn't know there were any listed for two wires and truthfully I'm not going to bring the subject up. I like the business!
You can tell that the SQd have provisions for two conductors because the clamp has two slots for a wire. but FYI that is only for the smaller conductors.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Interesting. People pay me to fix double-tapped breakers all the time (because the house inspector said it was an issue). I didn't know there were any listed for two wires and truthfully I'm not going to bring the subject up. I like the business!
It would be hard to prove on the old breakers unless there is some documentation. Best to just pigtail it and avoid issues.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
Can't tell you for certain about Cutler Hammer, but Homeline also accepts two conductors, but but both QO and HOM only accept two conductors for 30 amps and less - the ones with screw through a pressure plate type of terminal. The GFCI and AFCI versions however are not designed to have access to both sides of the terminal and only intended to accept one conductor.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
It is covered in the code but the exact specs are not in the code. See the last sentence of 110.4(A).
- Status