What is the reason for not putting a breaker directly accross from the main? The city managment group I'm contracting for want me to label the main as #1 and accross from it #2. I told them #1 starts below the main.

If the main is a back fed device that plugs onto the bus, there is usually a limitation to the total amps of breakers connected to any one stab.

If the main breaker is plugged into a space that would normally be occupied by a branch breaker, I see no problem marking it as #1 and identifying it on the panel schedule as a main breaker. IMO, it would need to be identified anyhow to comply with 110.22.

Tom

[This message has been edited by Tom (edited 08-30-2005).]

If you think about it, it seems that the best practice would be to place the highest-rated branch device on the same lugs as the backfed main. This would minimize the current passing from the main's lugs to the buses.


(Maybe it's better to not think about it.)