Square D QO 30/40 panel and tandem breakers

[75gmck25]

I have a Square D QO 30/40 200 amp panel that was installed about 3 years ago by an electrician. It was permitted and inspected as a 200 amp "heavy up" from my old 150 amp panel. I assume the box came from one of the local electrical supply stores. The panel is now full (30 circuits) after they finished our kitchen remodel, but I now want to add a double breaker to feed a garage sub-panel.

I want to move four of the existing circuits to two new tandem breakers, which will then open up two slots. Those slots will be used for a 60 amp breaker to feed the garage sub-panel.

Are there certain positions where the 10 tandem breakers can be installed, or would they work in any position? There is so much wire in the way in the box that its hard to read any of the labels on the inside of the panel itself, if the labels explain which positions are for tandem breakers. The panel cover has nothing about the location for tandem breakers.

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Try the bottom of panel.

 

[RoadBeater]

Yup, bottom of panel. My house had a Square D HOM 30 space panel, that didn't allow for tandem breakers. Hope yours is different, had to swap mine out for a 40 space panel.

 

[Gokart]

It sounds like you have a QO13040M200, which accepts 10 tandem circuits.

It this is the case you should be able to install a QOTxxxx in the bottom 5 spaces.

 

[AndyCBR]

Tandems will only fit in the bottom 10 spaces (5 per side).

 

[alfredeneuman]

That particular panel can be mounted either with the main breaker at the top, or at the bottom.

Depending on which way it is oriented, the tandems will fit only at the bottom or the TOP of the panel

 

[75gmck25]

Thanks for all the feedback. There are no stickers on the bottom of the panel, but there is a large sticker on the inside of the right side (main lug is at the top).

There is a Note 5 on the sticker (with diagram) that apparently describes where the tandem breakers are, but I cannot find a "5" anywhere on the diagram. The note says:
"5. Tandem breakers may only be used in plug on spaces provided with mounting rail openings at this end of the interior."

Maybe I'll shut off the main breaker tomorrow and pull a few of the lower breakers loose to see if they have the notch in the mounting rail. Its sounds like that is the most likely setup, since the main breaker is at the top.

Thanks again.

Bruce

 

[bczygan]

Tandems will only fit in the bottom 10 spaces (5 per side).

I have 2 of those panels and just physically checked them. As mentioned above, it is the bottom 5 on each side. In other words, the 5 on each side that are opposite the main breaker.

Bill