service question

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difowler1

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I have a 150amp outdoor non fused disconnect on the outdoor service pole feeding an indoor 150amp main breaker panel box. The indoor panel needs to be replaced. Residential. The indoor main breaker melted. There appears to be no other cause for the melted main breaker except for the dead lizard I found behind it. Can I replace the 150amp panel box with a 200 amp panel since the outdoor disconnect would trip at 150amps? Assuming the wire is sized for 150amps.
 
difowler1 said:
I have a 150amp outdoor non fused disconnect on the outdoor service pole feeding an indoor 150amp main breaker panel box. The indoor panel needs to be replaced. Residential. The indoor main breaker melted. There appears to be no other cause for the melted main breaker except for the dead lizard I found behind it. Can I replace the 150amp panel box with a 200 amp panel since the outdoor disconnect would trip at 150amps? Assuming the wire is sized for 150amps.
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Yes. Probably the wire was not tightened properly into the breaker and that caused the hot spot. But lizards getting smoked behind is not beyond the realm of possible reason also.
 
difowler1 said:
I have a 150amp outdoor non fused disconnect on the outdoor service pole feeding an indoor 150amp main breaker panel box. The indoor panel needs to be replaced. Residential. The indoor main breaker melted. There appears to be no other cause for the melted main breaker except for the dead lizard I found behind it. Can I replace the 150amp panel box with a 200 amp panel since the outdoor disconnect would trip at 150amps? Assuming the wire is sized for 150amps.
Click to expand...

Typically, when you use the term "non fused" it implies that it is just a disconnect with no OCPD. You called it a non fused then went on to say "would trip at 150A".

So if it indeed would trip then it is a service disconnect with OCPD. If that is the case then you will be fine replacing the 150A panel with a 200A panel as the 200A breaker in the panel would just be a switch if it has a main breaker. Or it is just a subpanel with a 200A rating. It is still protected by the 150A disconnect and if you keep the wire size the same.
 
I have a 150amp outdoor non fused disconnect on the outdoor service pole feeding an indoor 150amp main breaker panel...
Click to expand...

Can I replace the 150amp panel box with a 200 amp panel since the outdoor disconnect would trip at 150amps?
Click to expand...

You said the outdoor disconnect is non-fused, how would it trip?

-Hal
 
sevice question

sevice question

Little Bill said:
Typically, when you use the term "non fused" it implies that it is just a disconnect with no OCPD. You called it a non fused then went on to say "would trip at 150A".

So if it indeed would trip then it is a service disconnect with OCPD. If that is the case then you will be fine replacing the 150A panel with a 200A panel as the 200A breaker in the panel would just be a switch if it has a main breaker. Or it is just a subpanel with a 200A rating. It is still protected by the 150A disconnect and if you keep the wire size the same.
Click to expand...

I am not sure about the OCPD. I guess it would say that on the disconnect inside cover. I'll check it. Thanks. I assumed all disconnects that looked like a main breaker would trip. I was wrong again.
 
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