Main panel powered directly through breaker? - InspectionNews

Christopher Kovac · #1 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 07:47 AM

Hi Everyone,

Ran into something I had never seen before in a 2-family apartment I was inspecting yesterday. The main service for the house was 100 amp copper that entered two clipped utility panels in conduit above the main panels for each apartment. (see picture) The main panel for the second floor (see second picture) appears to be powered by the 50 amp breaker as opposed to the main lug in the upper left. I have enough other issues in the main panel for the first floor to call for an electrician, but I was hoping for some feedback on this...

Thanks in Advance,
Chris

Jerry Peck · #2 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 11:14 AM

What your photo is showing is that the black conductor re-identified with "YELLOW" phase tape is the neutral conductor, which should have been re-identified with "white" phase tape. That is one problem, albeit a minor problem.

The other black conductor, which is not re-identified, is the hot phase conductor ... "one single" hot phase conductor ... which indicates that the upstairs unit is only fed with a 120 volt system, not a 120 volt / 240 volt system. Hopefully, there are no 240 volt appliances up there, I see the gas meters, so the water heater, range, and clothes dryer would all be gas (I hope), and the furnace would be gas (I hope), that leaves ... no ac, unless there are plug-in 120v window or through-the-wall units. This 'could be' another problem, but might not be.

The back-fed breaker acting as the main needs to be secured down so it cannot be removed easily or accidentally. That is another problem.

What astounds me, though is that there *are only two (2) circuits* for the upstairs unit. EVERYTHING is operating on those two circuits! That is another problem as you should have two circuits for the kitchen small appliances, and that leaves no circuits for the other outlets.

Also, I don't see a ground bond strap or screw to bond the neutral to ground. That is another problem. Which raises the question: is that enclosure/panelboard even rated to be used as "Service Equipment". If so, it would state so on the label, typically something like 'Suitable for use as Service Equipment'.

Then, of course, there are the other small things shown in the photo.

Then there is that cloth covered wire which looks 'silver' or 'aluminum' but which is likely "tinned copper" - "tinned copper" was used with rubber insulated conductors to keep the copper and rubber insulation from reacting chemically with each other. At this point in time, that rubber insulation is likely dried out, brittle, and of little use. Meaning that the upstairs unit may need a complete new wiring. You will notice that the bottom circuit is newer, with thermoplastic insulation, so ... does that mean the upstairs apartment only had ONE CIRCUIT?

I would recommend having a licensed and competent electrical contractor do a load calculation on the upstairs apartment, re-wiring and adding circuits as necessary. That is your best bet with what is shown in those photos.

Dom D'Agostino · #3 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 04:02 PM

Isn't Binghamton one of those cities where many homes are converted to "multi-family" dwellings and apartments on the cheap (read: improper and unsafe) to cater to the college crowd?

Corn Walker · #4 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

I would recommend having a licensed and competent electrical contractor do a load calculation on the upstairs apartment, re-wiring and adding circuits as necessary. That is you best bet with what is shown in those photos.

Two thoughts enter my head, neither of them good.

Either an unlicensed incompetent electrician installed this setup or a licensed but nonetheless incompetent electrician installed this setup. If it is the latter, how do you find a competent electrician? My state only requires them to be licensed.

That's clearly not a service panel, perhaps it belongs in a submarine? Might explain the yellow tape.

What happens when they want a third circuit? Haven't seen any triplex breakers yet - or maybe they can jump from the existing breaker to a second breaker to energize the other bus, and then put another duplex breaker in to provide the 2nd and 3rd circuit? That would probably be the best option fitting with the current setup.