Which one is the main breaker / service switch?

[Grouch]

I took a picture of this electrical panel in a residence, please see the attachment. The panel has multiple breakers labeled as 'Main Disconnect'.

The next picture shows the panel schedule. It indicates 'To disconnect entire service switch off all handles marked 'main disconnect'.

The 3rd picture shows the panel interior. You can see the main line side feeder towards the top, connecting to the main lugs.

My question is simple... what is going on??

Is the 50 amp breaker the main circuit breaker / service switch? It doesn't appear to be. Each of the main breakers (labeled as such) have wires going out to the load. So they are not main breakers for the panel.

However, for the 50 amp breaker, you see the load side wires swinging up and into the main lugs.

 

[LarryFine]

The panel has multiple breakers labeled as 'Main Disconnect'.

You're describing a split-bus panel. Up to six handles were allowed to completely de-energize.

Here are some examples. Notice the breaker in the upper half feeding the the lower half?

Sometimes, the buses were divided into thirds, so there were two upper main breakers.

 

[Grouch]

I see. But in my case, you don't see the physical separation between the top and bottom portions... everything is tightly packed. My first picture, with the panel cover on, that shows all the circuit breakers. Or... is the 50 amp breaker feeding the bottom portion?... is that why we see the load size wires of the 50 amp breaker swinging back up into the main lugs area?

 

[LarryFine]

I see. But in my case, you don't see the physical separation between the top and bottom portions... everything is tightly packed. My first picture, with the panel cover on, that shows all the circuit breakers. Or... is the 50 amp breaker feeding the bottom portion?... is that why we see the load size wires of the 50 amp breaker swinging back up into the main lugs area?

Exactly. Sometimes there is no space between breakers, but there are still gaps in the buses.

In the first pic below, the wires go from the lower-left 2p breaker to the bottom of the buses.

In the second pic, the wires from the top-right 2p snake behind the guts to the lower half.

 

[Grouch]

Awesome! Your 2nd picture matches what I have. I appreciate the help.