This picture shows a 200 amp. service panel that should be good for 40 circuits. However if you look real close you will see 53 circuit breakers in there using 2 pole breakers, single pole breakers and twin breakers (or half size breakers). I believe this panel was an ITE Siemans 40-40 Main Breaker 200 amp service panel. I think that the label 40/40 means that only 40 full size breakers are allowed. I find that too many contractors try to install too many breakers in a panel before they check the manufacturers instructions. (Section 110.3 (B) ) as per the manufacturers instructions.
- Harold
![[Linked Image]](https://www.electrical-contractor.net/Forum/Images/Overloaded_Panel.JPG)
(submitted via Joe Tedesco)
[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 09-03-2004).]
Siemans makes a non-CTL duplex breaker for replacement use, but there is nothing to prevent its use in panel spaces intended for single breakers.
What do ya bet the little white stickers on every one of the tandem breakers say, "Don't do this?"
Dont know about the little stickers, but the big one on the door does!
By the way, I put that white approval sticker on the door when I did my service inspection and the panel was in complience. I also left them a red violation inspection sticker on the final when I saw what they did between the time of the service inspection and the final inspection.
Harold
Is this one worth entering in the Guiness book of records?
No, don't do that. You could easily get another 17 circuits in there. With a bit of effort with 240V tandems, you could get quite a few more than that. Pretty soon there'd be a post here showing 84 poles in a 42-space panel.
And then with a little creativity with some non-bus-mounted breakers and a nibbler, you could go even higher. And don't even think about what they might do with panels imported from Canada!
[This message has been edited by SolarPowered (edited 09-23-2004).]
I never did understand the basis for the 42-circuit rule; maybe we should re-visit it.
Wouldn't more dedicated circuits tens to make things safer, and easier to troubleshoot, than fewer?
Finally, the panel may not br 'overloaded' in the sense that it may never draw anywhere near 200 amps.
(Oh, I do much prefer there to be many sub-panels, rather than having everything go to one place).