Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    bergs4's Avatar
    bergs4 Posts: 107, Reputation: 3
    Junior Member
     
    #1

    May 25, 2010, 05:51 PM
    Main Disconnect Problems
    I'm trying to figure out why, what I believe is my main disconnect, isn't functioning properly (I've included a picture with the cover removed). It has been in the "off" position since I moved into the house about one and half years ago. Is it common for these breakers to fail or am I missing something?

    I'm pretty sure it is my main disconnect as the electrical meter is directly behind it (on the exterior wall); also, my service panel (picture below) is directly to the left.

    Thanks for the help.
    Attached Images
      
    cdad's Avatar
    cdad Posts: 12,700, Reputation: 1438
    Internet Research Expert
     
    #2

    May 25, 2010, 05:58 PM

    Have you checked those leads with a voltmeter? Also you can get a can of "air" and safely blow it off to remove debris.
    Washington1's Avatar
    Washington1 Posts: 798, Reputation: 36
    Senior Member
     
    #3

    May 25, 2010, 06:35 PM

    I'm on board with Calif. Check to make sure you have at least 240 volts, and use some air, or a vac to get the debris off the wires. Being that it's Zinsco, the breaker may be bad.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #4

    May 25, 2010, 06:50 PM

    Not hard to agree with your suspicion. Disconnect is OFF and you have power to the panel. Disconnect is not functioning. Might be time to get 3 bids from elecytricians for an upgrade of the discionnect and the fuse panel.
    bergs4's Avatar
    bergs4 Posts: 107, Reputation: 3
    Junior Member
     
    #5

    May 27, 2010, 02:34 PM

    Well, I vacuumed out out the inside of the box and tested the conductors with my voltmeter. 220 between the red and black and 110 between the red and white, and black and white. The breaker, does however, work. It isn't the main breaker and I don't know what circuit(s) it controls. Thanks for the tips, though.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
     
    #6

    May 28, 2010, 04:51 AM
    Since you found the breaker off, be careful turning it on. It could be an abandoned feeder for anything, such as an old range, subpanel, etc. and the ends may not be capped properly.

    Whatever it is, it is wired in a fashion that is not allowed any longer, assuming a 120/240 volt feeder, the neutral is being used as an equipment ground also.


    The cable leaving the bottom of the disconnect is missing a connector

    What are the numbers found on the handle? That number is the amp rating of the breaker, and will help as a clue as to its purpose.

    Also possible that it was the Main Breaker at one time, is the meter and disconnect outdoors newer?

    One other comment, the orange screw in fuses are 30 amps, those circuits should be using #10 wire, for a water heater or dryer. If those circuits are for receptacles, lights, etc. these circuits are not protected properly using 30 amp fuses.
    bergs4's Avatar
    bergs4 Posts: 107, Reputation: 3
    Junior Member
     
    #7

    May 28, 2010, 11:29 AM

    The house has no equuipment ground (green wire/ bare copper). I don't think the wiring has been updated since 1946 when the home was built.

    If I have an electrician put a new panel in, are you able to tell if we already have a 100 amp service by my photos, or would we have to update the service drop as well?

    It's a Zinsco (sp. ) 2 pole breaker; 50 amp is the number on each handle.

    I'm not sure what you mean by the cable "missing a connector."

    The meter outside is a smart meter, but when they insatled, I know they didn't change the disconnect. In fact, when the power company guy was out here to do it, I asked where our main disconnect was and he kind of shrugged, "I don't know".

    I'm not sure what circuits the 30 amp fuses protect; I will have to look into that.
    bergs4's Avatar
    bergs4 Posts: 107, Reputation: 3
    Junior Member
     
    #8

    May 28, 2010, 11:36 AM

    Also, I just checked and theorange screw in fuses say 20 amps on the them; the green ones above, however, are 30a which feed our air conditioner.

    Would 20 amp small appliance circuits have been required/installed in 1946, as the NEC now requires?
    Washington1's Avatar
    Washington1 Posts: 798, Reputation: 36
    Senior Member
     
    #9

    May 28, 2010, 11:14 PM

    The meter outside is a smart meter, but when they insatled, I know they didn't change the disconnect. In fact, when the power company guy was out here to do it, I asked where our main disconnect was and he kind of shrugged, "I don't know".
    Well at-least he didn't lie ! :D
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
    Ultra Member
     
    #10

    Jun 3, 2010, 06:00 PM
    I grew up in a house that had the same panel. One of the pulls was the main fuse(s), the other was the disc. For the electric range. All the fuses were disabled when you pulled the main,
    bergs4's Avatar
    bergs4 Posts: 107, Reputation: 3
    Junior Member
     
    #11

    Jun 4, 2010, 12:27 PM

    Awesome. That's good to know. I will try pulling the fuses when no one else in the house will be bothered by having no power.
    cdad's Avatar
    cdad Posts: 12,700, Reputation: 1438
    Internet Research Expert
     
    #12

    Jun 4, 2010, 01:01 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by bergs4 View Post
    Awesome. That's good to know. I will try pulling the fuses when no one else in the house will be bothered by having no power.
    If you do and have extra money. They make screw in circuit breakers now to replace your glass fuses. You might want to give them a try.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Main disconnect breaker kAIC ratings? [ 4 Answers ]

Can I use a 10 kAIC main breaker in a main disconnect or does it have to be a 35 kAIC main breaker? I have a 10 kAIC, 225 amp breaker on hand, and I did not want to have to buy a new 225 amp 35 kAIC breaker if I did not have to. My indoor load center has a 10kAIC, but the outdoor, main disconnect,...

Service disconnect and main neutral/ground [ 2 Answers ]

This is correct assuming that we are talking about a residential service, and that you do indeed have a main breaker in that panel. By main breaker panel I mean that there is a circuit breaker in the panel that when shut off will disconnect power to all the circuits in that box. If this is true it...

Wiring a combination meter and main disconnect. [ 1 Answers ]

I bought a Square D CQRA200 Meter/main disconnect combination and I expected to see the neutral isolated from the ground. Does the neutral and ground start from the same block?

Main breaker and main disconnect [ 2 Answers ]

What I have is a home built in 1960 moved in 2 years it had a meter hanging from the rear of house with no main, 240v 50amp circuit to stove, 240 30amp to dryer, 5 breakers for the rest of house 1 20amp and 4 15amp. What my plan is to replace the meter housing and put a g.e. 200amp Disconnect on...


View more questions Search