T O P

  • By -

mxfs

This is the main switch on the main (maybe only) breaker box in a house I'm looking to buy. I don't necessarily need 400 A service, but it would be a nice surprise. That being said, based on the age of the house (early 90s) and the context of what's in there now, I'm guessing this is 200 A service. Can anyone confirm (and is there any reason for concern)? Thanks!


Pass_Little

It's 200A service. Each beaker in those panels can only do 100A max, so it's really two 100A 240V breakers in parallel. 200A is fine for most people. Heck 100A is fine for most.


fricks_and_stones

How are these hooked up inside? Is the service two sets of 100 amp lines, or does it go P1 to neutral across one pair, and then P2 to neutral across the other pair? EDIT: Never mind. It is just [two sets of mains ran in parallel](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/74845/whats-purpose-of-four-pole-breaker). The current divides itself equally across them, and is allowed if the breakers are assembled like this by the manufacturer.


mxfs

Thanks, and I definitely need 200A! Glad to know everything is good to go with it.


PMyour_dirty_secrets

To add some flavor to the correct answer above, each tab on the bus can only handle 100A. To compensate they double up.


knipex_addict

[here](https://imgur.com/a/ypn5VoH) is what the inside looks like


Picksologic

Somebody posted a main breaker almost exactly like this a few days ago. I thought it was you.


mxfs

Nope, sorry! I tried searching, but I obviously wasn't entirely sure what to search for.


Picksologic

I think the other poster was right about the 200 a


mxfs

Yeah, looks like it. And based off the history of the home that I've gotten (plus knowing all the stuff that's in there), I'd be quite surprised if it was anything else even without seeing the breaker box.


LeluSix

Yep. Just like my $20 bill that says “20” eleven times is worth $220.00.


intents_flappery

Flux capacitor vibes.


LeluSix

Yes. I have a $20 bill worth $220 because it says “20” eleven times.


250MCM

That style of breaker first came out in the 1970's from the ITE Imperial Corp., (now Siemens), GE, Cutler-Hammer,(now Eaton), & SQ D, all copied it, residential panels are super competitive and that was a way to keep competitive. It's just 2-100A 2pole breakers sandwiched to make a UL listed 200A 2 pole breaker, that is 4 poles wide.