ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
What is that wire that looks like it is connected directly to the buss? On the right side and two sections above bottom breaker.
Good question. It almost looks like a staple connecting both phases, but since the lights are on ... can't be.
I couldn't understand what he was talking about "staples" but now it makes sense.
If you only run a 120V single phase in for power you would have to jumper A phase to B phase to have power on both legs.
...
I still don't know how they get a staple to stay in place.
The temporary power is the appliance cord back feeding a breaker on the left side.
I noticed the cord back feeding the breaker. That's why I asked about the other wire on the other side of the panel, near the staple.
I'm thinking these guys may win the "rig of the year" award. Maybe even a Darwin award. At least an honorable mention.
I think, especially with a double wide or other multi section unit, they (the set up guys) sometimes do this not as any kind of permanent use thing but rather to make sure interconnections between sections are working. If connected to a 5-15 or 5-20 receptacle as the source, you certainly have limitations on what you will be able to run.
I guess I wasn't defending the use of the staple as a jumper but did not make that clear, I was simply stating a possibility of why they were using such a low ampacity supply. If permanent supply conductors are not installed yet simple solution to connect both buses is a jumper between main lugs or maybe between output lugs of a double pole breaker (that is not a MWBC) you aren't going to run whatever load is connected to that breaker anyway.I have back fed many panels so I could run power from a portable generator to get an idea of the condition of the electrical system. Especially houses that have been without power for a number of years.
I have never used any staples to jumper between phases. Jumper is used at the breaker back feeding the panel (insulated).
The fact that this is temporary is understood.
The use of staples between buss sections is not really a good connection and may well arc and damage the buss sections (other than looking rather unsafe).
Enlarging the photo to 300% shows the device better. The device appears to slide on the bus. The "staples", wire jumpers, look like they are welded to the slide on connectors.
Seems like a lot of time was spent on making the shorting device if its' only purpose is to connect/tie the L1 and L2 bus together to temporarily feed the panel with 120V.
Also notice there appears to be at least 3 female connectors that are installed on the bus. I can't make out exactly how or what the bottom jumper, "staple", is connected to?
Were they installed at the factory?
Field installed, I’m sure. I didn’t notice damage of any kind and my help didn’t mention any when he removed them.
They were wedged between the stabs. No welding. Nothing nefarious, just FE.
I have never used any staples to jumper between phases.
"This should be a 'staple' in any service truck."I can hardly wait for the you tube video. "Temp. Power made easy".
"This should be a 'staple' in any service truck."
They are parallel in open air so take that into consideration.What is the current rating of those staples? What is their AWG equivalent?