Opinions on Tandem Breakers

Kyle_in_rure

I was wondering if anyone has opinions on tandem breakers..
I know the issue of shared neutrals comes up, but apart from that are they just as safe as regular/full sized breakers? Are there circuits that they shouldn't be used on? I've used a couple where needed, and have also seen an all-tandem 100 amp service (Surprise, it was in a mobile home)

k_buz

As long as the panel is rated to take tandem breakers

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kbsparky

Personally, I don't like `em.

As for shared neutrals, most of the time, using a tandem on a multi-wire circuit is not proper installation protocol:

Many times, I have encountered a tandem breaker feeding a multi-wire circuit, it was incorrectly installed resulting in an overloaded neutral.

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-KB

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rrolleston

I installed a 20 space 40 circuit panel and ended up using quite a few tandems. But only think I notice is that the panel seems a little cramped with wires because it's smaller.

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Please ask me about my special discount for people that shut up and stay out of my way! With Electricity there is the right way to do it and the dead way. Just because it works does not make it safe.

frenchelectrican

I don't mind to use the tandem breakers only if they are listed in the panel and you have to becarefull with MWBC espcally this is true with GE breakers they are famous for this one if not carefull.

Single circuits that is not a issue.

Merci,
Marc

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The answer will be based on NEC ( National Electrical code ) or CEC ( Cananda Electrical code ) or ECF ( Electrique Code France )

rrolleston

Yeah I like that my panel does not take up as much room as a 40 space panel would have. It's a mess because it was a rush to get back in our home someday I would like to straighten out some of the wires but not too big of a deal right now.

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Please ask me about my special discount for people that shut up and stay out of my way! With Electricity there is the right way to do it and the dead way. Just because it works does not make it safe.

Glennsparky

I think tandems and quads have a higher failure rate than full size. Full size dissipates heat better. Pack in the tandems and the whole panel runs hotter. And do old work on a circuit, or replace a breaker, and many times you should be using an arc fault. I don't think they're ever going to make tandem arc faults.

busman

Wow, quite a few code violations in that installation.

Mark

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Licensed Master Electrician
Commonwealth of Virginia

Speedy Petey

You DO NOT need to install arc-faults if you replace a breaker.

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Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

k_buz

...yet...

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Speedy Petey

Bite yer tongue.

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Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

jbfan

Who knows what's coming in the future!

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rrolleston

Please let me know so I can fix them? With code reverences so I can learn why in the code book.

__________________
Please ask me about my special discount for people that shut up and stay out of my way! With Electricity there is the right way to do it and the dead way. Just because it works does not make it safe.

busman

1. There is a white wire attached to the ground bar.

2. The 8 black/red conductors aren't marked with the type. If they are part of a cable assembly, where are the EGCs?

3. The 200A CB is marked as Service Disconnect, but it is served by a 4-wire cable.

4. There appear to be circuit breakers that are not Siemens in the panel.

5. Depending on the wire size, the 8 red/black cables may be overfused and/or exceed the conduit fill limits.

Mark

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Licensed Master Electrician
Commonwealth of Virginia

Kyle_in_rure

I can imagine a tandem arc-fault breaker would be bigger than the AFCIs that are already almost too large to fit in the panel.....