Will this work?

[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"?

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]

[hausdok]

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

[Jim Katen]

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

[homnspector]

Just noticed, there is a bare wire AND a black widow in the picture. Which would kill you first?

[Brian G]

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