what's wrong with GE "slimline" breakers?

[hurk27]

Re: what's wrong with GE "slimline" breakers?

Ronson What Bob is trying to say is that it wont matter which side of the panel you choose to put your breakers as both phases are staggered on both sides. the phase's alternate down each side of the panel so two breakers side by side will be on opposite phase's. With some older panel's(Zinco's) this was not true. But with all the newer panels it will be.
Now with the half space GE breakers there will be two side by side that will be on the same phase but this will be in pairs as they are just useing a full 1" space just like a tandem breaker would do.

 

[william runkle]

Re: what's wrong with GE "slimline" breakers?

Here is something to think about multiple circuits on slimline breakers, if both circuits are on the same leg what will the grounded conductor load be? Example first slimeline breaker will have a load of 9 amps the second slimline will have a load of 11.5 amps both slimline breakers are rated at 15 amps using 14/3w.g. NMB what is the load on the grounded conductor of the 14/3?

 

[hurk27]

Re: what's wrong with GE "slimline" breakers?

20.5 amps Yes? Did I win LOL

 

[iwire]

Re: what's wrong with GE "slimline" breakers?

Originally posted by hurk27:
Ronson What Bob is trying to say.......

Thanks for the assist Wayne.

Originally posted by hurk27:
With some older panel's(Zinco's) this was not true.

I feel so left out, I have never seen (other than pictures on forums) one of these apparently great

Bob

 

[hurk27]

Re: what's wrong with GE "slimline" breakers?

Don't feel left out as there was a reason for them being called no-blow zinco. look at all the conduit you didn't have to replace because of the wire being welded in it.

 

[william runkle]

Re: what's wrong with GE "slimline" breakers?

Wayne you are correct. Just possibly that is the reason the AHJ in that area rejects the use of tandem or slimline breakers. It is less possible to overload the grounded conductor on one inch breakers, on multiple circuit wiring.

 

[hurk27]

Re: what's wrong with GE "slimline" breakers?

Bob I couldn't find a image of the panel but here is some more photo's of them and a link for more:

Zinco Breakers

The panels has both phases running down the middle like two ribs and the breakers just cliped over it.

[ March 27, 2004, 12:30 AM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]

 

[stamcon]

Re: what's wrong with GE "slimline" breakers?

William, a multi-wire circuit can be miswired with full size breakers just as easy as with tandems(twins, minis, compact,...). Anyone wiring a panel should know where the conductors get landed. Is the AHJ's position his opinion or is it written code for that area?

 

[iwire]

Re: what's wrong with GE "slimline" breakers?

Wayne Thanks for the link and pictures, I have seen a picture of a panel, I just have never seen them in person.

Originally posted by stamcon:
a multi-wire circuit can be miswired with full size breakers just as easy as with tandems(twins, minis, compact,...).

Could not agree more, you either know what your doing or you don't.

[ March 27, 2004, 08:18 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]

 

[william runkle]

Re: what's wrong with GE "slimline" breakers?

Steve my post was less possible since using 14/3 nmb you have a black red and white and usually wire the red and black wires next to each other or a double pole breaker. Yes it would be a local admendment to the code and maybe the AHJ just doesn't know how to state it. I had an inspector tag me for something not in the code and took him days to try to find something in the book and couldn't.

 

[r_merc]

Re: what's wrong with GE "slimline" breakers?

Very rarely have I had a problem with THQP Circuit Breakers. I have had to rearrange CB's if two adjacent ones had significant loads (continuous) on them to reduce heat build up. You would have to try very hard to put too many circuit breakers into a GE load center. The only way to accomplish that with a GE is to use another manufacturers CB's in it.