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bergs4 · May 25, 2010, 05:51 PM

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.

cdad · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · Jun 4, 2010, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by bergs4

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.