Main Breaker - up = off

[Ken Amelin]

This service equipment panel has a main breaker that shuts off in the up position.

I believe that breakers need to be off in the down position, but I'm wondering if the label is a way to get around the code? Is it in compliance with code if it has a label that identifiy's position?

[Bill Kriegh]

The NEC in article 240.81 says that a circuit breaker SHALL be ON in the UP position. There are no exceptions.


Looks like a mixture of Bryant and ITE breakers which doesn't fly either.

[Rollie Meyers]

That panel is a old Crouse-Hinds (Murray) & they used a oddball main breaker that had the ON & OFF reversed, prob. had a MB failure & used a standard breaker, because of a original type not being avail.,just my guess....