Jim Morrison Posted August 2, 2011 Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Looked at a house with a 30a 120volt service this AM. I can't remember the last time I saw a 30a service, but I bet it's been close to 10 years. There were four #14 gauge branch circuits, can you guess what size fuses were protecting them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI in AR Posted August 2, 2011 Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 I usually see 30 amp fuses on old branch circuits with 14 ga tin-plated copper wiring...but I've never seen anything less than a 60 amp service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted August 2, 2011 Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Sure, Jim. About thickness and diameter of a penny, made of copper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Lewis Posted August 2, 2011 Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Some of those original 30 amp services were enclosed in a wood box with asbestos lining. Located in a second floor front room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Morrison Posted August 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Correct. Four 30 amp fuses protecting 4 #14 gauge wires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted August 2, 2011 Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Correct. Four 30 amp fuses protecting 4 #14 gauge wires. "Them fuses never blow, and if it ain't broke, don't fix it". I've never seen a 30 amp service. But the natural gas pipeline didn't reach us 'til the 90's, so we've always been heavy consumers of hydro electric. I imagine this place had gas for heat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Morrison Posted August 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 It was an oil fired steam boiler with a gas kitchen stove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Amaral Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Edison "No -Ark" Panel Jim? I just saw a 30A service on an old mansion in Dorchester last summer...(Codman Square). The guy swore it was 'all ok as is'.. Yep... 30A fuses (of course!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 I found a 30A 120v service in late '09 in Baltimore City. Click to Enlarge 51.86 KB Click to Enlarge 49.15 KB Click to Enlarge 51.84 KB Click to Enlarge 65.61 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted August 8, 2011 Report Share Posted August 8, 2011 I found a 30A 120v service in late '09 in Baltimore City. That is some scary old junk you found there, John. Is there a fuse in that main disconnect, or is it just what it says, a switch? If it is just a switch, the wire that leaves the fuse panel and feeds that transformer on the right is not protected by any fuse. It is tapped off the main service conductor. Good thing it stops there and doesn't go off into the wall somewhere. They fried a fuse or two with the triple-tap on the left. Too much load for a 15 amp fuse. A 30 amp fuse was not the way to 'fix' that mess. [:-thumbd] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 I found a 30A 120v service in late '09 in Baltimore City. That is some scary old junk you found there, John. Is there a fuse in that main disconnect, or is it just what it says, a switch? If it is just a switch, the wire that leaves the fuse panel and feeds that transformer on the right is not protected by any fuse. It is tapped off the main service conductor. Good thing it stops there and doesn't go off into the wall somewhere. They fried a fuse or two with the triple-tap on the left. Too much load for a 15 amp fuse. A 30 amp fuse was not the way to 'fix' that mess. [:-thumbd] I didn't take the switch box apart so I don't know if it contained a fuse or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.