homnspector Posted September 1, 2005 Report Share Posted September 1, 2005 Inspected an old (for this area) house today. At some point the service was "upgraded" to 100 amps. The 100 amp main breaker is installed with all of the others on the bus bar. The entrance cables are installed on what would normally be the load side of the breaker. Will this breaker trip properly? Does a breaker function if you overload it in "reverse"? Picture 2 is a nice bare wire at the entrance to a wet crawl space. Needless to say, there is a rodent problem. And, oh yeah, it was live![:-thumbd] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted September 1, 2005 Report Share Posted September 1, 2005 Hi, The breaker will work fine. Look at the schematic on the enclosure. There are usually several configurations. This is one of them. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted September 1, 2005 Report Share Posted September 1, 2005 Originally posted by homnspector Inspected an old (for this area) house today. At some point the service was "upgraded" to 100 amps. The 100 amp main breaker is installed with all of the others on the bus bar. The entrance cables are installed on what would normally be the load side of the breaker. Will this breaker trip properly? Does a breaker function if you overload it in "reverse"? You can backfeed any breaker as long as it's terminals aren't marked "line" and "load". However, when you backfeed them, you've got to secure them in place with something that requires more than a pull to release it. (NEC 408.36(F)) Usually, this is either a small bolt or a special retaining bracket. The retaining brackets can be difficult to spot. Also, if this is the main breaker for the panel, it's supposed to be labeled. - Jim Katen, Oregon Download Attachment: Backfed Main.JPG 74.08 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homnspector Posted October 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Just noticed, there is a bare wire AND a black widow in the picture. Which would kill you first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian G Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 The black widow, no question. Isn't that panel photo upside-down? I see it's a GE. If it was one of the TLM series (and it probably was) they could get an adapter made for installing a main at the lugs, no circuit spaces taken. Brian G. Very Familiar With "Generous Electric" [:-mischie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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