Chad Fabry Posted November 12, 2006 Report Share Posted November 12, 2006 I left the photo large for clarity. If you have dial up it'll make the smoke leak out of your computer. Download Attachment: DSCF0002.JPG 323.89 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 12, 2006 Report Share Posted November 12, 2006 Ummmm, why isn't it blowing up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted November 12, 2006 Report Share Posted November 12, 2006 Now, that's one that Doug Hansen is going to want to see. OT - OF!!! M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted November 12, 2006 Report Share Posted November 12, 2006 Originally posted by kurt Ummmm, why isn't it blowing up? My guess: This is a three-phase panel and this is how they're energizing the third bus. - Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted November 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2006 That's why Mr Katen is the moderator for this forum. I was there and it still took a return trip for me to figure it out. It isn't the kind of thing that makes one shine while attempting to illustrate the nuances of panel wiring to others who are depending on your expertise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fqp25 Posted November 12, 2006 Report Share Posted November 12, 2006 I once lived in a 2-Flat in Chicago. The landlord didn't care what anybody did there as long as he got the rent. When I moved in I wanted to install a 220V stack Washer & Dryer. I piped in new conduit and pulled wires, but when I went to wire it up I noticed that I had only 1 leg coming in from the meter, and both sides of the panel were energized from that leg. Somebody had jumped two breakers similar to the photo. The other service leg was going to the panel which served the upstairs unit, and was wired in the same fashion. By the way the electric was in their name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 Originally posted by Chad Fabry That's why Mr Katen is the moderator for this forum. It isn't the kind of thing that makes one shine while attempting to illustrate the nuances of panel wiring to others who are depending on your expertise. I hate it when that happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 Jim K is correct. (Isn't he always) "I was there and it still took a return trip for me to figure it out. It isn't the kind of thing that makes one shine while attempting to illustrate the nuances of panel wiring to others who are depending on your expertise". Yeah, but it shows that you have more devotion to this profession than most, who would simply disclaim and defer. I've never seen HI report boilerplate that states: "I don't know, but I'll find out for you". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 Doooh.... I never saw the whole photo. I only feel partly stupid now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 Unlike Kurt, I saw the whole picture and wondered why folks paste labels on the breakers and never noticed the third leg. Bill, I often write that I don't know, but will find out. And I often write "I don't know" and don't offer to find out. IE: Is this house worth $xxx,xxx? Would you let your son buy this house? and then my all time favorite "why is the roof leaking?" PS: My favorite time of the day is when another inspector calls me with a question that I can answer and while I got him/her on the phone get a chance to ask my question. They often leave the conversation thinking I'm smart and never realize they answered my question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence McCann Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 Originally posted by Jim Katen My guess: This is a three-phase panel and this is how they're energizing the third bus. - Jim Katen, Oregon Jim, I'm not sure I follow what their trying to accomplish. If it were true 3-phase you would have 3 wires coming into the top lugs and no need to double back through a breaker. If there are only two wires coming into the top then it's a 220 single phase service however, if their energizing the third bus with one of the legs of the 220 single phase, by doubling back through the breaker, it wouldn't make it 3 phase. It would be a convoluted 220v single phase panel. Plus the main breaker appears to be a single phase 100AMP. What am I not seeing here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 Hi Terry, I don't think Jim means it's a 3-phase service. Only a 3-phase panel being used in lieu of a conventional panel and, in order to energize the third bus, they had to create that backfeed through a breaker, which is, as you say, pretty convoluted. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted November 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 What Jim and Mike said: It's a 3 phase panel being used in a residence. The bottom of the panel was about 5-6 feet high... I had to hold my camera at almost arm's length to get the photo. I was probvably too busy cussing the height to notice the third bus on my first trip...well that and I never expected a 3 phase panel in a residence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Lewis Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 A three phase panel can used for a single phase service, correct? You do have to be careful where to place two pole breakers in Chad's panel. Is there any code prohibiting this installation. (besides the lack of a clip to secure the backfed main.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted November 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 You do have to be careful where to place two pole breakers in Chad's panel. Just to be clear...that's not my panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homnspector Posted November 14, 2006 Report Share Posted November 14, 2006 That is a FPE panel. The home inspector was doing a load test. Note that the breaher did not trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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