Split bus GE panel, questions

[staze]

Hi All,

I have a GE panel circa late 70's (house was built in 78). It's a split bus, with the big loads up top, and then everything else on the lower bus with a 60amp breaker feeding it. I just bought a Chevy Volt, and want to install a Level 2 charger, which is going to want a 40-50amp 240v breaker (which, obviously, is going to mean that 60amp breaker is potentially going to trip if things go right/wrong).

The panel sticker (inside door) indicates the breaker for the lower bus can be a max of 100amps. But I can't tell what gauge the jumpers are from the 60amp breaker to the lower bus (they're covered in scotchlok). Would these have been 4awg copper from the factory (and therefore should handle the 100amps over the 4-6" they are), or would those have been installed by the original installer?

My service is 200amps. Looks like the panel is good to 225amps. Basically, can I just swap out that 60amp breaker for a 100amp, or should I look at swapping out the jumpers as well?

I'm also going to have to do some swapping for normal "thick" breakers to thin breakers...

Thoughts?

 

[augie47]

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