[Marky82]

Hi all,

I live in Connecticut and bought my first house last summer. It's a Cape built in 1953. I've slowly been makes updates and while doing so learning more about how the house was built. Since it's old the labeling on the electrical panels is mostly incorrect. Some breakers shut off parts different rooms (I'm guessing a wall may have been taken down). I also noticed my microwave and sump pump are on the same 15 amp circuit and the two outlets in my kitchen are not on their own dedicated circuits. I'd like to start fixing what I can (some may have to wait until I renovate certain rooms and have better access to the wiring). I not extremely new to electrical but I would still consider myself a novice. I've fished wire, installed receptacles along with overhead lights and outdoor flood lights but I don't have much experience with electrical panels. I've posted pictures of my main and sub panel. Can anyone tell me more about these such as what types of breakers they use? The main is a Cutler Hammer and the sub-panel says QO Load Center. I've heard people using the term square-D but I don't know what that means... I'm assuming it's a type of breaker (the sub panel has a D with a square around it, does that mean it takes Square D breakers?). Also, is it possible to tell how many amps I have for service? On the main breaker there is a dual 100 amp breaker on the top right. Does that mean I have 200 amp service?

Any info you can share and/or things I should look for is greatly appreciated!

Main panel

Sub-panel

Thanks,
Mark

 

[jimn]

Not the neatest job in the world but far from the worst. I am not sure what needs updating. If the house was built in the 50's this electrical is much newer than that . It's not uncommon for multiple circuits in a room . In fact you want it that way. That way if one circuit trips the others are working and you don't loose all your lights leaving in you in the dark. From the picks you sent your electrical looks fine. I wouldn't touch it. If you do then everything needs to be brought up to current code .
Your system is fused for 100 AMPs . If it was two hundred you would have a 200 AMP main breaker.

 

[brric]

Cutler-Hammer panel uses Cutler-Hammer CH breakers, Square D panel uses Square D QO breakers.

 

[Jim Port]

A two pole 100 breaker is a 100 amp service.

 

[Marky82]

Thanks for the responses everyone!

I'm not looking to totally redo everything but I would like my over-the-range microwave to be on it's own circuit along with the two kitchen receptacles. It looks like Cutler Hammer sells dual 15 and 20 breakers so I can fit two into one slot. I won't be attempting this by myself but I like to be as informed as possible before starting a project.

 

[Jim Port]

The panel need to be listed for use with tandems. Not all panels are. The model number and wiring diagram will tell you.

 

[Underestimater]

A Square D panel accomodates QO or Homeline style breakers...

 

[Underestimater]

Correction, I meant to say Square D mfrs a panel for QO or Homeline type breakers... I don't think the breakers are interchangeable with either panel... you have to use QO type breakers with a QO type panel and Homeline breakers with a Homeline panel... the QO breakers show a red flag when tripped... the Homelines don't