Square D 100 amp panel

ulrichfolkers · 03-26-2012, 11:25 AM

Hi Forum,

I have a 100 amp service with a Square D panel and load center. The label on the interior panel states: QON 16M E series. 2 questions:

First, can anyone tell me if this load center accepts tandem breakers?

Second, I've attached an image. I assume this gap between breakers is here for a reason. Can anyone tell me why?

Some background: Home is 850 sq ft, 1 bedroom. Hot water is oil fired. I wanted to know that, if I absolutely had to, I could add a circuit to the electric panel for electric hot water. The panel is full with the following circuits:

30 amp-dryer, 40 amp-oven, 2 15 amps-furnace & hot water, 20 amp-washer, 6 15 amps for lights & recepticles.

If I can't use tandem breakers, would a small sub-panel be the way to go, or would the addition of a circuit for hot water be too much for this 100 amp service?

Thanks,

HouseHelper · 03-26-2012, 01:00 PM

The paperwork on the panel should say for sure, but a QO panel with a single number designation (16) will not accept tandems. There doesn't appear to be a reason to have the two spaces vacant, but it's hard to tell from the picture. It may be possible to move two of the 120V breakers to these spaces (two from the same side of the panel) to open up space for a double pole breaker. For a house that small, check into a water heater that will work on a 20A 240V circuit.

ulrichfolkers · 03-26-2012, 01:13 PM

Hopefully this is a better image to reveal the space between breakers.

a7ecorsair · 03-26-2012, 01:23 PM

What about the cover? Is there break-out tabs that correspond to the two open positions?

ulrichfolkers · 03-26-2012, 01:30 PM

The breakout tabs are still there, see image.

HouseHelper · 03-26-2012, 01:37 PM

You should be able to use those spaces. Move two circuits up as I outlined and you will have space for a double pole (240V) breaker to power the water heater.

ulrichfolkers · 03-26-2012, 01:52 PM

I here what your saying. To me, it almost looks like there's nothing there for the breaker to snap or lock onto......

brric · 03-26-2012, 05:00 PM

Those spaces are usable breaker spaces. There also are SQ D QO tandems that will fit that panel.

ulrichfolkers · 03-27-2012, 07:54 AM

Thank you all for your input.....