Strange Wiring Configuration Inside Panel

**Steve Sheldon** · 07-10-2015, 02:57 PM

There is a 60 amp breaker on the right bus which is wired to the main lugs and is identified "Main." There is a 100 amp breaker labeled "Main" on the left bus. Those conductors leave the panel. Both mains appear to shut off the power (except the oven light stays on when the 60 amp breaker is switched off. The house was recently renovated (built in 1971). Trying to figure out what's going on here. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

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**Brian Hannigan** · 07-10-2015, 03:10 PM

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**Jim Luttrall** · 07-10-2015, 04:06 PM

Look up "split Buss" panel

**Jerry Peck** · 07-10-2015, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

Look up "split Buss" panel

Looks like it probably is, but would need to be verified by looking at the label wiring schematic.

**John Kogel** · 07-10-2015, 07:46 PM

Is that the 60 amp breaker above the breaker with green handles? If so, split bus is likely. If it is a split bus panel, the 100 amp breaker supplies the lower section only.

**Jerry Peck** · 07-11-2015, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by John Kogel

Is that the 60 amp breaker above the breaker with green handles? If so, split bus is likely. If it is a split bus panel, the 100 amp breaker supplies the lower section only.

What looks to be the main service disconnect is the bottom left breaker.

The top right breaker of the lower bus section (about midway up on the right) is the main for the upper bus section.

At least that is how I am seeing it in the photo with no photo of the wiring schematic.

**Steve Sheldon** · 07-11-2015, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

What looks to be the main service disconnect is the bottom left breaker.

The top right breaker of the lower bus section (about midway up on the right) is the main for the upper bus section.

At least that is how I am seeing it in the photo with no photo of the wiring schematic.

Thanks for your help. One more question: If the main breaker on the right is 60 amps for the upper section and there is a 100 amp breaker for the remainder of the panel what does that make the overall size of the service?

**Jerry Peck** · 07-11-2015, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Sheldon

One more question: If the main breaker on the right is 60 amps for the upper section and there is a 100 amp breaker for the remainder of the panel what does that make the overall size of the service?

Presumptions:
- there is no disconnect prior that that 100 amp disconnect in the lower corner
- the service entrance conductors are suitable for 100 amp
- the panel is rated for 100 amp (need to check the panel label to determine this, just one of the reasons I have mentioned a photo of the panel wiring schematic - which would include the ratings label too - with digital, you can never have too many photos and there is no additional cost for each extra photo, not like back when we used 35 mm film)
- with the above presumptions ... the service size would be the rating of that 100 amp main service disconnect.

The upper part of the panel is limited to that 60 amp breaker feeding it, and, it that upper panel section is using that 60 amps, then the lower panel section only has 40 amps before that 100 amp main service disconnect trips ... and unless someone said that the main breaker trips - there is no reason to think there is a problem with that 100 amp service --- as the house is currently being used --- which is not to say that it will be ... or will not be ... okay for your client as you have no idea what your client intends on doing or bringing in.

By the way ... what was that bottom right breaker for? It is 2-4 volt only with no neutral - range, clothes dryer, air conditioner, ???

**Steve Sheldon** · 07-11-2015, 04:43 PM

[QUOTE=Jerry Peck;259151]Presumptions:
- there is no disconnect prior that that 100 amp disconnect in the lower corner
- the service entrance conductors are suitable for 100 amp
- the panel is rated for 100 amp (need to check the panel label to determine this, just one of the reasons I have mentioned a photo of the panel wiring schematic - which would include the ratings label too - with digital, you can never have too many photos and there is no additional cost for each extra photo, not like back when we used 35 mm film)
- with the above presumptions ... the service size would be the rating of that 100 amp main service disconnect.

The upper part of the panel is limited to that 60 amp breaker feeding it, and, it that upper panel section is using that 60 amps, then the lower panel section only has 40 amps before that 100 amp main service disconnect trips ... and unless someone said that the main breaker trips - there is no reason to think there is a problem with that 100 amp service --- as the house is currently being used --- which is not to say that it will be ... or will not be ... okay for your client as you have no idea what your client intends on doing or bringing in.

By the way ... what was that bottom right breaker for? It is 2-4 volt only with no neutral - range, clothes dryer, air conditioner,

- - - Updated - - -

[QUOTE=Jerry Peck;259151]Presumptions:
- there is no disconnect prior that that 100 amp disconnect in the lower corner
- the service entrance conductors are suitable for 100 amp
- the panel is rated for 100 amp (need to check the panel label to determine this, just one of the reasons I have mentioned a photo of the panel wiring schematic - which would include the ratings label too - with digital, you can never have too many photos and there is no additional cost for each extra photo, not like back when we used 35 mm film)
- with the above presumptions ... the service size would be the rating of that 100 amp main service disconnect.

The upper part of the panel is limited to that 60 amp breaker feeding it, and, it that upper panel section is using that 60 amps, then the lower panel section only has 40 amps before that 100 amp main service disconnect trips ... and unless someone said that the main breaker trips - there is no reason to think there is a problem with that 100 amp service --- as the house is currently being used --- which is not to say that it will be ... or will not be ... okay for your client as you have no idea what your client intends on doing or bringing in.

By the way ... what was that bottom right breaker for? It is 2-4 volt only with no neutral - range, clothes dryer, air conditioner,

- - - Updated - - -

[QUOTE=Jerry Peck;259151]Presumptions:
- there is no disconnect prior that that 100 amp disconnect in the lower corner
- the service entrance conductors are suitable for 100 amp
- the panel is rated for 100 amp (need to check the panel label to determine this, just one of the reasons I have mentioned a photo of the panel wiring schematic - which would include the ratings label too - with digital, you can never have too many photos and there is no additional cost for each extra photo, not like back when we used 35 mm film)
- with the above presumptions ... the service size would be the rating of that 100 amp main service disconnect.

The upper part of the panel is limited to that 60 amp breaker feeding it, and, it that upper panel section is using that 60 amps, then the lower panel section only has 40 amps before that 100 amp main service disconnect trips ... and unless someone said that the main breaker trips - there is no reason to think there is a problem with that 100 amp service --- as the house is currently being used --- which is not to say that it will be ... or will not be ... okay for your client as you have no idea what your client intends on doing or bringing in.

By the way ... what was that bottom right breaker for? It is 2-4 volt only with no neutral - range, clothes dryer, air conditioner,

**Steve Sheldon** · 07-11-2015, 09:17 PM

[QUOTE=Steve Sheldon;259153][QUOTE=Jerry Peck;259151]Presumptions:
- there is no disconnect prior that that 100 amp disconnect in the lower corner
- the service entrance conductors are suitable for 100 amp
- the panel is rated for 100 amp (need to check the panel label to determine this, just one of the reasons I have mentioned a photo of the panel wiring schematic - which would include the ratings label too - with digital, you can never have too many photos and there is no additional cost for each extra photo, not like back when we used 35 mm film)
- with the above presumptions ... the service size would be the rating of that 100 amp main service disconnect.

The upper part of the panel is limited to that 60 amp breaker feeding it, and, it that upper panel section is using that 60 amps, then the lower panel section only has 40 amps before that 100 amp main service disconnect trips ... and unless someone said that the main breaker trips - there is no reason to think there is a problem with that 100 amp service --- as the house is currently being used --- which is not to say that it will be ... or will not be ... okay for your client as you have no idea what your client intends on doing or bringing in.

By the way ... what was that bottom right breaker for? It is 2-4 volt only with no neutral - range, clothes dryer, air conditioner,

- - - Updated - - -

[QUOTE=Jerry Peck;259151]Presumptions:
- there is no disconnect prior that that 100 amp disconnect in the lower corner
- the service entrance conductors are suitable for 100 amp
- the panel is rated for 100 amp (need to check the panel label to determine this, just one of the reasons I have mentioned a photo of the panel wiring schematic - which would include the ratings label too - with digital, you can never have too many photos and there is no additional cost for each extra photo, not like back when we used 35 mm film)
- with the above presumptions ... the service size would be the rating of that 100 amp main service disconnect.

The upper part of the panel is limited to that 60 amp breaker feeding it, and, it that upper panel section is using that 60 amps, then the lower panel section only has 40 amps before that 100 amp main service disconnect trips ... and unless someone said that the main breaker trips - there is no reason to think there is a problem with that 100 amp service --- as the house is currently being used --- which is not to say that it will be ... or will not be ... okay for your client as you have no idea what your client intends on doing or bringing in.

By the way ... what was that bottom right breaker for? It is 2-4 volt only with no neutral - range, clothes dryer, air conditioner,

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Presumptions:
- there is no disconnect prior that that 100 amp disconnect in the lower corner
- the service entrance conductors are suitable for 100 amp
- the panel is rated for 100 amp (need to check the panel label to determine this, just one of the reasons I have mentioned a photo of the panel wiring schematic - which would include the ratings label too - with digital, you can never have too many photos and there is no additional cost for each extra photo, not like back when we used 35 mm film)
- with the above presumptions ... the service size would be the rating of that 100 amp main service disconnect.

The upper part of the panel is limited to that 60 amp breaker feeding it, and, it that upper panel section is using that 60 amps, then the lower panel section only has 40 amps before that 100 amp main service disconnect trips ... and unless someone said that the main breaker trips - there is no reason to think there is a problem with that 100 amp service --- as the house is currently being used --- which is not to say that it will be ... or will not be ... okay for your client as you have no idea what your client intends on doing or bringing in.

By the way ... what was that bottom right breaker for? It is 2-4 volt only with no neutral - range, clothes dryer, air conditioner,

Thanks. The bottom breaker is for the range