Electric Panel

[wattacatch]

Our electric panel does not have a main breaker. This is a 700sf 1 br concrete unit/condo building built in 1974/ 12 floors in Puerto Rico . Can we add a transfer switch for a battery powered generator? We’d like to replace the panel, can we add a main breaker? Can you tell from photo how many circuit breakers are on this panel, there is no wiring diagram on the panel, the numbered 6-7 says water heater, the 5 under the spare says stovetop, 1-3 says kitchen, 5 below 1&3 says bedroom, 2-4 AC, breaker under 2-4 it says (no sirve) means it does not work, and then there is the spare . We have 2 mini split air conditioners one is 18k btu and the other is 12k btu, 30” electric stovetop, 8.5kw tankless water heater and a 115v 6.5 amp refrigerator. I would appreciate your input/advice, thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Norcal]

Something is extremely screwy, the cover says Bryant/Westinghouse BR, and the panel interior is GE, otherwise those GE twin breakers (THQP) would not function as they can only be used in GE panels, the main breaker will be by the meters for the building. That 30A single pole breaker is very troubling in a residence.

 

[Jim greengo]

Do you have a picture of the meter,do you own the condo?

 

[onetonbb74]

If you own the condo, Yes you can, I would ditch that subpanel and install a new one. I'd also trace and label those circuits first.

Your going to need to locate the meter and main disconnect. Being a 12 story building, it's probably in a utility closet hooked to a multi- meter switchboard and if your lucky, your unit is correctly labeled. There should either be a boltswitch style fuse holder, fused disconnect, or a double pole breaker feeding your unit.

Take a picture both close and far away...

 

[wattacatch]

I own the condo, I am in the states right now, but have a pending trip soon, hence wanted to gather some knowledge before going there and hiring an electrician. I am going to find out where the main disconnect is and gather more information when I get there and take photos suggested. My intention is to replace the panel, I want to know if I can install a main disconnect on a new panel, if not, will I be able to install a transfer switch without one. Thank you all for your responses.

 

[wattacatch]

Something is extremely screwy, the cover says Bryant/Westinghouse BR, and the panel interior is GE, otherwise those GE twin breakers (THQP) would not function as they can only be used in GE panels, the main breaker will be by the meters for the building. That 30A single pole breaker is very troubling in a residence.

It shows on the panel that the 30A breaker is connected to the tankless water heater, but I am not sure, it is installed in a utility closet in the hallway outside/next to my door/unit, I also have a 2 ton ac for central air in the closet which I am not presently using, I am using 2 mini split air conditioners. All so confusing, we didn’t get an inspection, purchased the unit 2 years ago as is, but we got a great deal. I hope to get clarity from a local electrician when I get there. Thank you for your response.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Something is extremely screwy, the cover says Bryant/Westinghouse BR, and the panel interior is GE, otherwise those GE twin breakers (THQP) would not function as they can only be used in GE panels, the main breaker will be by the meters for the building. That 30A single pole breaker is very troubling in a residence.

and that double 30a breaker is not listed for that panel. wonder how they even fit that in there

 

[wyliesdiesels]

It shows on the panel that the 30A breaker is connected to the tankless water heater, but I am not sure, it is installed in a utility closet in the hallway outside/next to my door/unit, I also have a 2 ton ac for central air in the closet which I am not presently using, I am using 2 mini split air conditioners. All so confusing, we didn’t get an inspection, purchased the unit 2 years ago as is, but we got a great deal. I hope to get clarity from a local electrician when I get there. Thank you for your response.

not sure how the tankless works because its only getting 1 power leg unless its also connected to another different size breaker

quite frankly this panel needs to be replaced. so many red flags here

 

[wyliesdiesels]

My intention is to replace the panel, I want to know if I can install a main disconnect on a new panel, if not, will I be able to install a transfer switch without one. Thank you all for your responses.

you can get a new panel with a main disconnect so installing an interlock breaker shouldnt be an issue.

a transfer switch on the other hand would be a little different depending on the model you get

 

[wattacatch]

not sure how the tankless works because its only getting 1 power leg unless its also connected to another different size breaker

quite frankly this panel needs to be replaced. so many red flags here

Will definitely be replacing, thank you.

 

[wattacatch]

you can get a new panel with a main disconnect so installing an interlock breaker shouldnt be an issue.

a transfer switch on the other hand would be a little different depending on the model you get

I appreciate the response, I think this is the way I will proceed. Looking at an ecoflow Reliance Controls Pro Tran® 2 Series 30-Amp, 6-Circuit Manual Transfer Switch with a L14-30/L5-30 power inlet, would this one work or is there other specific ones that you’d recommend or that may work with a new panel with a main disconnect? Thanks again for your time/help.

 

[Norcal]

and that double 30a breaker is not listed for that panel. wonder how they even fit that in there

That GE THQL 230 should be fine.

 

[wattacatch]

you can get a new panel with a main disconnect so installing an interlock breaker shouldnt be an issue.

a transfer switch on the other hand would be a little different depending on the model you get

Will this transfer switch work? Thanks again.

 

[wattacatch]

That GE THQL 230 should be fine.

Ok, that is great. I so appreciate your time/help

 

[onetonbb74]

It's small but would work.

 

[wattacatch]

It's small but would work.

Thank you, we are considering all options, we have this extra one from another setup we did not use for another house, hence will probably not incur the extra expense for the ecoflow as it is $400, setup is solely for backup, thanks again!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

That GE THQL 230 should be fine.

how can you tell which model it is? i know GE has 2 breaker lines and the older non-slim style are not compatible with the newer slim style bus stabs.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Will this transfer switch work? Thanks again.

only 2 15a circuits. how many do you need?

 

[wattacatch]

only 2 15a circuits. how many do you need?

For temporary lost of power, I would like to power the bare necessities, for me that is the refrigerator, a fan and a light. If I opt for the 6 circuit transfer switch, then I would like to power all of the former plus the tankless water heater and a 6000btu window ac unit.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

For temporary lost of power, I would like to power the bare necessities, for me that is the refrigerator, a fan and a light. If I opt for the 6 circuit transfer switch, then I would like to power all of the former plus the tankless water heater and a 6000btu window ac unit.

tankless WH might be a challenge depending on load rating

 

[wattacatch]

tankless WH might be a challenge depending on load rating

Yes, we’d forgo the water heater if that were to be the case, thank you

 

[mrVanagon]

Yes, we’d forgo the water heater if that were to be the case, thank you

On the up side, if the WH is big enough and the power interruption short enough, you might be able to stretch out the hot water in the tank through most of the crisis.

 

[mike93lx]

tankless WH might be a challenge depending on load rating

Tank less gas heater should have very little electrical demand. Ignition, vent and a pump

 

[wyliesdiesels]

On the up side, if the WH is big enough and the power interruption short enough, you might be able to stretch out the hot water in the tank through most of the crisis.

he said it was tankless

 

[onetonbb74]

It's an 8.5kw tankless...

 

[mike93lx]

he said it was tankless

In my last two houses (oil furnace and a nat gas on demand for heating and dhw) , I have had holding tanks.

With that said, an 8.5kw on demand seems very small.

 

[Bert_]

how can you tell which model it is? i know GE has 2 breaker lines and the older non-slim style are not compatible with the newer slim style bus stabs.

The PN is THQL2130. The slim breakers are THQP.

The old stab in breakers are TQL. Those are from the 60's. Easy to tell apart, the handle looks very different.

 

[wattacatch]

tankless WH might be a challenge depending on load rating

It is a small tankless water heater that services the kitchen and bath, similar to this one, only a little larger. We prefer our warm showers but we can do without it as the water coming out of the shower luckily is merely cool during the day, not too cold, after a minute in the shower you will not notice it was cold, thanks.

 

[wattacatch]

I appreciate everyones help/input! We have a pending trip there in Dec, will update with outcome after electrician inspects it, keeping my fingers crossed, thanks again to all.