Help on Breaker Box

[smooth72]

This is my second breaker box next to my 200 amp box. It is a 125 amp box. My question is next to the main breaker can I install a 220 breaker. I have seen some boxes that say leave blank but I need to add a 220 breaker for an AC unit and this is the last double breaker place I have remaining. Thanks for any input.

 

[justinking060310]

Smooth72-
While I can not answer your question myself, I would ask if you could make your question more clear...

J

 

[bobthecop]

I could not use that space on my breaker box for a 220 breaker so I had to take out the single 20 amp 110, and put in double 20 amp 110 that fit in the single slot. It allows you to have 2 110 breakers in the slot you have for one now. Just keep a and b slots together.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

These small panels do not have a "main" breaker at the top of them like larger panels, instead, they use a backfed breaker (which by code must be retained in the panel/stabs, by a special, approved clip or bracket to prevent its removal) as a main breaker. I do not see any lugs on the ends of the buss's, however, if there are lugs on the buss that do not show in the pictures, you could simply do away with the main breaker, if it is, as you say, adjacent to your existing panel, which has a breaker feeding the 125 amp sub panel.

If you have knockouts on the front panel for the two positions you want to mount the 240V breaker in, and the instruction placard on the inside of the cover (if there is one) doesn't have any restrictions, I see no reason to not use the space.

You should clearly label the main as a main breaker, and I do not see a retaining clip on it (but it might be out of view) and if there is not one, I would look into purchasing one. This is required by NEC 230.70(B).

Charles

 

[MXtras]

Good stuff, Charles.

Scott

 

[smooth72]

Thanks for the info. I think both breaker boxes goes out to the meter. There is no restriction stickers on the tabs I would be breaking out. I am also wondering if I could put some foam in the large pipe that goes out to the meter it seam allot of could air comes in there on both breaker boxes. The only thing that the main has in it is the screw in the middle of breaker that the electrician did on original build about 10 years ago.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I didn't see the screw for the main breaker as the letter M in Main in the first pic was obscuring it. I'm not so sure that the screw is the correct or proper thing for this. The panel manufacturer will have a special clip that is probably what is supposed to be retaining the breaker. In fact, the part number is probably on the decal on the door. My Siemens panel has part numbers for all approved breakers, accessories and everything else that goes with the panel, right on the inside of the door.

As bobthecop noted, your other option is to remove four of the full size breakers, and install two of the pairs of half width siamese breakers, these four half inch breakers, siamesed together in pairs will then take up two spaces and then you have two full width spaces left for the duplex breaker you intended to install. This is a fairly cheap method of doing this, as I think the siamese breakers only cost $7 or so.

Charles

 

[Aceman]

I've seen a screw like that holding the mains in a few panels also. I'm not familiar with Cutler Hammer though, as I use Siemens 99% of the time. Their breaker lock doesn't allow breakers to be put opposite the main. Since they're hold down method doesn't seem to block the space, I try putting the 2 pole breaker there first. If that doesn't work, it looks like you have 1 space left at the bottom of the panel on the lefthand side. I'd take the wire off the 1p 20A breaker on the bottom left and install a twin(tandem) 20A breaker directly opposite it on the right with the red wire. That will keep this existing circuit on the same phase also. Extend the black wire and you're done. Now all you need is one new twin breaker along with the 2 pole you're adding.

Forgot to add: To help seal conduits the product you're looking for is called Ductseal. It looks like sticky gray playdoh and comes in small plastic wrapped bricks.

 

[MustangRick]

It looks like your feeder cables are putting some serious stress on that main breaker. I had a similar panel that had the restiction sticker on the knock out tabs and there was something there obstuction the breaker mounting space so you could not physically put a breaker in there.
Look for fire stop mud/clay, you can stick that in the hole to stop some of the air.

 

[smooth72]

Thanks for all the help and taking the time.