Peanut breakers, good or bad?

[rd65]

In the not-too-distant future we would like to add a/c to our house. As we currently have a gas furnace I am assuming we will need to add a larger circuit to handle the additional load of ac/heat pump. Our current panel has no open slots for new breakers and has quite a few peanut breakers already. Are these types of breakers acceptable or should we budget for a new panel? I was quoted $3k+ to replace the panel by the guy that added the circuit for my shop - PNW prices are really high.

 

[LopezBart]

Usually one adds a subpanel when looking for expansion, unless there's just not enough power coming in to handle your likely loads. This is usually less work than swapping panels. Note that the normal tandem (peanut) breakers don't work for 220V loads since both circuits are on the same pole. The usual approach when adding a subpanel is to free up two slots in the main breaker panel to run the subpanel, and move those breakers & circuits to the new subpanel. You can then add your new circuits to the subpanel.

 

[Innovate1]

Unless you need to increase the size of your service you could add a subpanel or, if your panel is approved for enough of them, put in "peanut" breakers. Either one is going to be much cheaper than a main panel replacement. Had to google that one. They are half size or tandem breakers. Panels are rated for spaces and circuits. A 20/40 is 20 spaces and 40 circuits so all the slots could use tandems. It could also be 20/20 which means 20 spaces and no tandems, or even something like 20/30 which means half the spaces could use tandems. What's your current panel? What are your loads? More information is needed...

 

[rd65]

I will research further and add information.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Had to google that one

I've never heard of tandems called "peanuts" (in 45+ years of electrical work) either.
Don't think you're the Lone Ranger.

 

[rd65]

I've never heard of tandems called "peanuts" (in 45+ years of electrical work) either.
Don't think you're the Lone Ranger.

That's what my FIL calls them, I called them little breakers hahaha

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Never heard of that either

 

[Zeke]

Maybe they are all warped and look like a peanut.

 

[Debcrow]

Peanut Breaker? The only thing I used to break peanut shells was my teeth. New term to me also. 50+ years working electrical.

 

[RivennHewn]

Peanut breakers are fine and wonderful if you just need to add a line or two to a full panel.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I assume a 'peanut breaker' is a tandem breaker? New term to me as well.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Peanut breakers are fine and wonderful if you just need to add a line or two to a full panel.

Is it possibly a regional term? The OP is in Washington State, and you list your location as the Pacific Northwest.

 

[bwringer]

Yeah, I also thought this was going to be a very different discussion about methods of freeing goober peas from their shells.

That's a weird one, fer sher.

Anyhoo, there's nothing wrong with using tandem breakers to free up space in the box for a new circuit. They're still perfectly skookum, fully approved breakers.

I did this a while back to make space for 240V air compressor and welder circuits. All the 120V circuits were moved to, uh, "peanut breakers".

In your case, I'd still consult an electrician to make sure the plan makes sense, that you have enough total capacity, things are balanced etc. and so on.

 

[rd65]

Here's a pic of the panel. If running tandem breakers is an acceptable practice, I was led to believe they were a bad idea, then there should be plenty of space for a larger breaker as needed. Btw the panel is on a south facing wall that is exposed to the sun. During summer months I leave the panel door open as that seems to help with tripping the bedroom breaker when the portable ac unit is running. House was built in 1999.

 

[mike93lx]

Tandems are fine if the panel is rated for them.

I'd swap that tripping breaker for new. Breakers wear out and tripping frequently will accelerate that.

I'd also move that two pole 100 up to the top, if possible.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

check the panel label to see where tandems are listed to be used. usually its the lower portion of the panel if only a limited number are allowed

 

[alfredeneuman]

I'd also move that two pole 100 up to the top, if possible.

Why?

 

[mike93lx]

Why?

Because installing higher draw breakers close to the main is a common practice.

Its not necessary by any stretch. Just would be my preference

 

[sparky 1971]

I'd bet that most, if not all of the slots will accept a tandem. Homeline tandems will not fit unless they are in a designated spot and since slots 10 and 12 have tandems, at least from #10 down will take them on both sides. And...who in the blue hell installs a 200 amp panel with only 20 spaces?

 

[Norcal]

I hate twins but when someone uses a small panel there is no choice & in residential & most 120V circuits requiring AFCI 's that is a problem with a small panel.

 

[rd65]

I'd bet that most, if not all of the slots will accept a tandem. Homeline tandems will not fit unless they are in a designated spot and since slots 10 and 12 have tandems, at least from #10 down will take them on both sides. And...who in the blue hell installs a 200 amp panel with only 20 spaces?

The same guy that left 2' of romex hanging out of the wall behind one of the gas water heaters. Live. Just a cut off end, no tape or anything. Cool thing is I now have a dedicated 20amp outlet for plugging in a compressor or whatever without worrying about tripping the whole garage when the freezer or fridge start up.
There is also a piece of romex hanging out under the house for whatever reason-maybe an outside outlet that was never installed. I did tape that one off at least. House has some sketchy electrical work going on, along with lacking insulation, and who knows what else. Was kind of a higher end neighborhood for the area when the house was built too. Whatever you can hide with paint & spackle.