View Full Version : Double taps at electrical panel
happyguy
Nov 26, 2007, 10:41 AM
I have just had a home inspection on my home. The inspector said that I had several double taps. Can these be corrected without adding breakers. The 200 amp panel is almost full.
KISS
Nov 26, 2007, 10:58 AM
There are three ways that the problem can be corrected:
1) Add a subpanel
2) Replace single breakers with tandem breakers
3) Pigtail the connections
1) The subpanel requires a large circuit breaker in the main panel. In the sub-panel ground and neutral are isolated. You usually have to purchase a ground bar kit and it will not have a main breaker.
2) A tandem breaker has two independent circuit breakers in a single slot. There is a label on the panel which specifies the number of "poles" the panel can have. This cannot be exceeded. A "pole" might be defined as the number of places to connect circuits.
3) Circuits can be pigtailed. A short length of wire connected to the two circuits wirenutted together.
happyguy
Nov 26, 2007, 12:09 PM
Exactly what I needed
labman
Nov 26, 2007, 12:22 PM
Before adding too many tandem breakers, read the fine print on your box label about how many poles you are allowed.