Replacing Circuit Breakers

[TheSparkens]

I also should have said your #10 copper will be fine at that 7 amp load at that footage with the proper 30 amp breaker.

[th3w01f]

This has so many code violations that it should be shut down. The number one reason your breakers are failing is corrosion from water damage, you can see this by the white water marks on the breakers in the first pick.

TheSparkens, I want to clarify what you're saying. Most of your post is referencing the picture from burtal but this last part sounds like it's about my picture. This panel has probably been untouched, in the same place in a field, for 20 years and there is a lot of corrosion on the bus. I had an electrician out yesterday to look things over with me and we're planning on replacing it once it warms up a bit.

Other than the double tapped ground, what code violations do you see? I want to make sure I'm addressing everything properly.

If it was my pic you were referencing, here's a better picture.

Attachment 63140

[SideShow Bob]

Bob I don't mean to be a jerk.

But you are.........

Your post went about two miles over the OP's head....

I was just trying to make a over simplified description of an electrical panel to the OP.

As far as to what a half breaker is called it all depends on who and where you did your apprenticeship at. There are diffent trade names for items in different regions across this country.

[TheSparkens]

Replacement will fix it all. I would not use an electrician that installs a new breaker of that size on that size of wire.

[th3w01f]

Replacement will fix it all. I would not use an electrician that installs a new breaker of that size on that size of wire.

The new breaker was my doing but it was replacing that old 100A that kept tripping. No tripps yet but we'll see over the next few days, from 2 - 3 a day, this has been an improvement so far.

Serious question here, does the size of the breaker actually make any difference in this case? I'd already installed the 50A before I read your post about installing a 30A so I left it, but I'd really like to understand this piece and I can easily swap it for a 30A if needed.

With everything plugged in and every light on it doesn't even hit 10A load during startup of things like the garage door opener and TV and the constant load is MUCH lower. Given that the panel this is feeding has 2 X 15A and 1 X 20A, if something was to suddenly pull a much higher load shouldn't it trip one of those breakers first? Given what's running off the panel, I can't see a scenario where the combined load would exceed 40A (135%) or 60A (200%) of the 30A breaker. I understand redundancy, is the reason for the 30A also based on the shorter allowable trip time vs the 50A?

I measured today and it's about 50' from panel to panel so probably 60 - 70 total, depending on how it's run.

[TheSparkens]

PM me it looks like we live in the same area and I can come over and look and explain all of this and look at your system. It doesn't matter what part of the country one is from the code is set up to protect people from bodily injury and fire that is caused by electricity. I will not charge you, I have been an electrician for over 35 years and never fail inspections because of code violations. If you don't want it installed correctly then don't call.

[Sparky]

But you are.........

Your post went about two miles over the OP's head....

I was just trying to make a over simplified description of an electrical panel to the OP.

As far as to what a half breaker is called it all depends on who and where you did your apprenticeship at. There are diffent trade names for items in different regions across this country.

Yeah I call them half breakers as well

[TheSparkens]

It's not about what it is called. We can go on forever about that or most parts how about a F-strap, battle ship, pistol strap, gun boat its about the safety of that panel and after looking at it, its not that bad. It does have water damage and after removing the breakers the water was setting on them at the time of removal, Because it is in the middle of the field it is subject to expansion of the soil and there is some damage because of that, the buss bars are corroding because of the water and the aluminum has some pretty good oxidation but all of this can be repaired with a little help and the OP has a very good electrician (Not recommended by me but I do know him) that will be working on it and other things like sizing the breakers properly because none are overloaded just over sized for the type and size of the wire that it is terminated to the breaker, sealing the panel so water doesn't get inside and repairing the broken and exposed conduit and wire so he doesn't get any more damage he will be good to go. To the OP it was good to meet you and you have a great place.

[bryjcom]

I always called those breakers "tandems" along with the other electricians that I associate with. I'm not an electrician but that's what I've always have heard them call those types of breakers...

Usually used when you're out of space and you need another circuit.