Confused Novice

1286 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by dmxtothemax, Jan 13, 2013

JRP_24

Discussion Starter · Jan 12, 2013

I'm hoping to receive some help/knowledge understanding my electrical system/setup. I have 3 panels. The one next to meter is 60 amp breaker panel. Another is an 100 amp fuse panel located inside the house. And finally, another 60 amp fuse panel in a detached garage. Below is a pic of the breaker panel and meter. Do I have 3 independent panels? Or just one main and 2 subs? I don't believe I can cut power to whole house with just one panel...

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dmxtothemax

· #2 · Jan 12, 2013

sounds like you might just have three panels.

Cant say for sure with out seeing the panels,
Can you attach pic's of the three panels ?
Are there any large breakers in the assumed main panel
that might feed the other panels ?

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fa_f3_20

· #3 · Jan 12, 2013

That looks odd, and I'm afraid it may not be to code. It looks like the meter socket may be double-tapped, and that the outside panel is powered independently of the inside fuse panels. That outside panel may also be undersized for the service. I'm hoping that one of the pros that hangs out here will chime in.

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frenchelectrican

· #4 · Jan 12, 2013

I will chime in on this one.,,

JRP_24 said:
I'm hoping to receive some help/knowledge understanding my electrical system/setup. I have 3 panels. The one next to meter is 60 amp breaker panel. Another is an 100 amp fuse panel located inside the house. And finally, another 60 amp fuse panel in a detached garage. Below is a pic of the breaker panel and meter. Do I have 3 independent panels? Or just one main and 2 subs? I don't believe I can cut power to whole house with just one panel...

The set up do you have electrique water heater ? if so that can be used with the TOU ( Time Of Use ) so it will be controlled by build in timer or switch which it send the signal from POCO to turn it on or off depending on the load.

Now if not that the case you have pretty much overloaded socket most useally rated for either 60 or 100 amp ( 60 is more common with that size ) and you have main breaker in the house if you do hit ( turn off ) the main breaker both house and detached garage should be off that is one location and now for other panel which you have outside if that is not used for water heater at all there a possiblty that used for other circuits.

Basically if this is correct as I described that you have two main panels and one sub panel ( at the detached garage )

Are you plan to add more circuits or what ? If so it will be a good time to upgrade to more modern panel and you will have to do the load demand caluations ( goggle it there are few verison you can try for homeowner to add it up ) if you don't understand it then just holler one of us will help you on the load demand caluations.

Per NEC codes the minuim size of service is 100 amp on resdentail ( there are other size but will discuss that other time due it is not related to here )

The common size is 100 amp or 150 amp or 200 amp size but 100 or 200 is the most common size.

But let me give you a head up if you going to increase the service size there are some area that only electricians can do this ( this part you will have to check with your local / county office for details )

Merci,
Marc

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JRP_24

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 12, 2013

"Main Panel" inside house

1st Pic is of "Main Panel" inside house..notice switch above panel for electric hot water heater. We just replaced our gas water heater with electric.

2nd Pic is of detached garage panel.

Both are 100 amps.

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JRP_24

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 12, 2013

Other notes

Couple other notes that may help paint the picture...Addition to house and detached garage were added in the 70's. I am guessing this is where the outside breaker panel and garage panel came in.

In the fours years I've lived here I've never had problems with breakers or fuses (once in garage). Light bulbs do seem to have a short life though.

When pulling the "main" on the inside panel only half of the house loses electricity.

I know this may not be to current code...Not necessarily what I am trying to determine. I am trying to understand the electrical system so I can determine best and most cost friendly route to upgrade/correct.

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redman88

· #7 · Jan 12, 2013

JRP_24 said:
I am trying to understand the electrical system so I can determine best and most cost friendly route to upgrade/correct.

Gut the house and start over imo

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frenchelectrican

· #8 · Jan 13, 2013

JRP_24 said:
1st Pic is of "Main Panel" inside house..notice switch above panel for electric hot water heater. We just replaced our gas water heater with electric.

2nd Pic is of detached garage panel.

Both are 100 amps.

Both of the photos you posted that is NOT a 100 amp unit at all that is 60 amp unit due the largest fuse cartage you can fit in is 60 amps noting more above it.

If you don't belive moi.,, just yank that main fuse and look at the printing it will tell ya what size it is.

On the second photo you posted mention disconnect both pull out that basically a non standard format which I have see it once a while and btw it can be rated either 60 or 100 amp depending on bussbar arrangement on that but for safe bet I will lean toward to 60 amp verison.

Merci,
Marc

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dmxtothemax

· #9 · Jan 13, 2013

JRP_24;1091762 In the fours years I've lived here I've never had problems with breakers or fuses (once in garage). Light bulbs do seem to have a short life though. When pulling the "main" on the inside panel only half of the house loses electricity. [/QUOTE said:
The other half could be feed off one of the other panels !
Or you have two hots incoming.

If you pull all four fuses in main panel,
does the house lose electricity entirely ?

short life of lamps could be 1 of 2 things
slightly high mains. (use high voltage lamps).
Or cheap quality lamps (commom problem).

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