9
votes
Accepted
Can I use a larger bus bar in this panel?
Whoever put this in was really trying to pinch pennies. It is an 8-space panel that, except for the shorter bus bars, could just as easily be a 12-space panel.
In fact, it looks like Square D used the ...
7
votes
Do I need to use a smaller breaker when switching from an electric to a dual-fuel range?
In general, if the installation/operating instructions specify 30A, then using a larger circuit breaker is not fine.
For other types of equipment (heat pumps are typical) the manual may specify both &...
- 200k
7
votes
Is there a problem oversizing a circuit for a car charger?
First, in order to provision 60A to your circuit, you need to have 60A of headroom in your NEC 220.82 Load Calculation. (there's more than one way to do a Load Calc in Article 220, but 220.82 is both ...
5
votes
Is there a problem oversizing a circuit for a car charger?
All a breaker cares about is that the current never exceeds the rating. You will find that when your car is not plugged in the Tesla charger will be pulling a few milliamps to run the local ...
- 11.5k
5
votes
New Sub Panel to new shop – Please check my math/plan
I don't see ground rods in your plan. You'll need grounding since it's a detached building.
Adding up all the loads isn't a valid load calculation. Make sure you've done one for the total house and ...
- 9,167
4
votes
What is the smallest Awg stranded wire that can be used in a house on 20amp breaker?
Generally what you're asking is NEC 240.4(D)(6) limits the maximum overcuurent protection of #12 AWG of solid or stranded to 20A. The next size smaller #14 is limited to 15A.
But that's just "...
- 16.4k
4
votes
Do I need to use a smaller breaker when switching from an electric to a dual-fuel range?
The National Electrical Code states in article 422 (Appliances), section 11 (Overcurrent Protection), part (E):
(E) Single Non–motor-Operated Appliance.
If the branch circuit supplies a single non–...
4
votes
New Sub Panel to new shop – Please check my math/plan
You need a disconnect in the new location - the main breaker on the subpanel takes care of that.
You can use a 200A panel just as easily as a 125A panel - whatever is the best deal. Often large panels ...
4
votes
Accepted
Cause of lights flickering in one room, running dryer causes momentary power outage?
Possible Lost Neutral
In the US, power comes in to most houses on 3 wires - two hots and neutral. The voltage is 240V between the hots (well, sometimes 208V) and 120V between each hot and neutral. If ...
4
votes
Accepted
Off Grid Solar System - 250 amps of Inverter capacity - What load center do I use?
Your options are...limited
Normally, at the 400A mark, one is dealing with commercial work, and thus is using a full commercial panelboard instead of a residential-style loadcenter; hence, 400A ...
- 81.7k
4
votes
Messing with unpowered fixture causes breaker to trip
This is why:
You probably didn't touch all the wires. I'd advise anyone working on house wiring to have a good basic understanding of the fundamentals before diving in.
- 129k
3
votes
Off Grid Solar System - 250 amps of Inverter capacity - What load center do I use?
Option 1: Get a 400A meter pan
Wire it exactly like a bog-standard 400A residential service, where the meter pan has double lugs for dual 250 kcmil wire, which then has double output lugs to split to ...
2
votes
No power to circuit and breaker not tripped
no electricians available for a week
So plan "A" is to turn off the circuit breaker and wait a week.
In the meantime...
I was hoping someone with more electric repair experience
There's ...
- 3,710
2
votes
Correct wire size for main panel after automatic transfer switch install
Services to homes follow their own table
Services and feeders feeding an entire home ("dwelling unit" in Code-ese) use Table 310.12(A) in the NEC, which permits a 150A service to be run ...
- 81.7k
2
votes
Do I need to use a smaller breaker when switching from an electric to a dual-fuel range?
Change the breaker to 30A. The instructions are part of the Listing, and the NEC requires following them.
Sometimes you have to figure out how to comply with multiple code sections, here at least 3 ...
- 16.4k
2
votes
Messing with unpowered fixture causes breaker to trip
ALWAYS turn off the breaker if you are doing anything more with a circuit than just replacing a light bulb.
There are three common situations that can cause this:
Backwards Wiring
Switches are ...
2
votes
Why does the fuse blow when I turn on the oven and stove in the kitchen?
Why does the fuse blow when I turn on the oven and stove in the kitchen?
Because the fuse amperage is insufficient for both devices to run at the same time
Does anyone know what we can do about it ...
- 754
2
votes
Device keeps tripping AFCI device
(for BedJet 3)
I had the same issue and contacted BedJet support. They shared a solution - on the BedJet 3, access the "secret" menu within the BedJet remote doing the following:
Select &...
- 129
2
votes
Accepted
Is my new electric/subpanel plan correct?
It looks solid. The only thing I would suggest is a generator interlock in the new panel. Then you do one of two things. Either (with AHJ permission) use the generator interlock breaker temporarily ...
2
votes
CH type breaker clip compatibility issue
I was not hooking the new breaker correctly. The new style breaker is a little wider and has to be hooked properly by the foot to the lip in the panel board. It works perfectly. As per EATON, they ...
- 159
2
votes
Do I need to use a smaller breaker when switching from an electric to a dual-fuel range?
The Product Specification sheet says "Fixed connection (no plug)" but the installation manual, which includes details for both gas (120V 15A) and dual fuel (240V 30A or 208V 25A) models ...
2
votes
What is the smallest Awg stranded wire that can be used in a house on 20amp breaker?
12 gauge for the house circuits. The wires from the panel to the receptacle/light box.
Bought devices(lights, stuff that is plugged in) that has UL/CSA listing/label can have smaller gauge wires if ...
- 22.6k
1
vote
What is the smallest Awg stranded wire that can be used in a house on 20amp breaker?
A 20A breaker requires 12Ga copper or 10Ga aluminum (or larger).
- 5,730
1
vote
Messing with unpowered fixture causes breaker to trip
You needed to turn off the breaker to remove power from the circuit. Turning off the switch does not turn off power to the circuit.
Be happy you're still around to type the question, and go shut that ...
- 200k
1
vote
Hot tub circuit breaker in sub panel trips after 5 hours
Usually when the breaker trips, it's NOT due to a faulty breaker, but a breaker that's doing its job. Eventually breakers do wear out, but it's unlikely after only 2 years. Sometimes a bad breaker ...
- 43k
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