Adding circuits to cutler hammer panel.

[428PI]

I'm wanting to add a mini split to my house. I'll need to add either a 110 or 220 line. As you can see in photo I have 2 open slots next to main breakers. I had replaced main breaker because wire overheated breaker. Replacement only took up 2 slots vs 4 on original main breaker.

 

[pattenp]

What exactly are you wanting to know? Provide panel model# or picture with cover off.

 

[Terry D]

yes, we need pictures with the cover off

 

[Norcal]

Most Cutler-Hammer CH panels are not listed to accept twin breakers, they fit in any position but if they flop around where they latch on the rail it was not listed or designed for them like the one in the photo.

If the original main took 4 spaces it diffidently is not listed for twins.

 

[mikedodge]

Whats at 5,6? Are they spaces you can use or no actual space there for breaker?

 

[428PI]

Whats at 5,6? Are they spaces you can use or no actual space there for breaker?

I'll pull the panel and show what's in it.

 

[428PI]

It looks like there are no studs sticking out on the spaces beneath main breaker but to the left there are.

 

[pattenp]

Yes you have 2 spaces but I'm not seeing the required hold down installed on the main breaker.

 

[428PI]

Yes you have 2 spaces but I'm not seeing the required hold down installed on the main breaker.

Why would they be required? Doesn't the metal cover lock them in place.

 

[sparky 1971]

Yes you have 2 spaces but I'm not seeing the required hold down installed on the main breaker.

That's because it used to have one of those giant mains that took up four spaces. It's been replaced and there is no place for a hold down.

OP: you have two spaces left. The space next to the main is not for branch circuit breakers. But, at least from this angle, it looks like the bottom on each side is open. Some rearranging of the panel will give you space for a two pole.

 

[sparky 1971]

Why would they be required? Doesn't the metal cover lock them in place.

Because someone could take the breaker off of the bus or it could come off when the cover is removed. The wires on that breaker are always hot unless the meter is pulled or power is turned off by the POCO.

 

[pattenp]

The panel looks full to me if the two spaces by the main are off limits due to panel listing.

 

[sparky 1971]

It looks to me like the bottom space of the 230 on the left is open along with the bottom 120 on the right. It may be the angle and my small screen though.

EDIT: Nevermind. There are no spaces open. I looked at it on my desk top and blew the picture up. Shoulda known better than to use a Kindle.

You should probably just look into replacing the panel since the main is wrong. The material really doesn't cost that much, as long as you can get away with replacing just the panel. We have to do about a weeks worth of work for a panel change, but, I think even here that panel could get replaced as a repair due to the main and not have to do all the extra work.

 

[Norcal]

The requirement for a hold down for backfed plug-in breakers has only been around since the early 90's, while the original 4 pole wide breaker did have a hold down built into the breaker, the panel was not tapped to use the current holddown, since it was manufactured prior to the requirement.