Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Electrical & Lighting (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=105)
-   -   Balance electrical breaker load (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=778479)

  • Dec 12, 2013, 02:44 PM
    backyardace
    Balance electrical breaker load
    I have a 220v timer switch being supplied by two single breaker switches, one is 15amp and the other is 20 amps. Was this the correct way to create 220v and was this done to code.
  • Dec 12, 2013, 02:52 PM
    donf
    What is the listed amperage of the switch?

    Regardless of the code, this is not a wise way to do things. If this is a temporary switch, I would replace the 20 amp breaker with a 15 amp breaker.

    To replace the 15 amp breaker with a 20 amp breaker would require changing the 14 AWG cable to a 12 AWG cable in order to safely carry the 20 amp current.
  • Dec 12, 2013, 03:07 PM
    stanfortyman
    Quote:

    I have a 220v timer switch being supplied by two single breaker switches, one is 15amp and the other is 20 amps. Was this the correct way to create 220v and was this done to code.
    In all likelihood no. It does not sound code legal. Then again, your description is very vague so it is hard to tell exactly what you did, what kind of timer you used, what it is feeding, what the wiring method is, etc.
  • Dec 12, 2013, 04:03 PM
    backyardace
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by stanfortyman View Post
    In all likelihood no. It does not sound code legal. Then again, your description is very vague so it is hard to tell exactly what you did, what kind of timer you used, what it is feeding, what the wiring method is, etc.

    I found this mess not created it. The timer is a intermatic T104m and it looks like its been wired 220v but the breakers that supply power to the timer are not a double pole circuit breaker but two individual 15 and 20 amp circuit breakers.if I could send a picture attachment I would. Does this sound like a dangerous wiring job.
  • Dec 12, 2013, 04:40 PM
    donf
    You can attach photos by using the "Advanced" button below the response box.
  • Dec 13, 2013, 09:34 AM
    donf
    I did some more thinking about this.

    The two breakers, 1 - 15 amp and 1 - 20 amp, are they tandem breakers with the handles tied together?

    If the handles are not tied together so that if one breaker trips the other breaker trips at the same time. That is a code violation and needs to be fixed immediately!

    What you have is a condition where one breaker trips but the other does not. So, if you were to have to work on the circuit, there would still be power active and the results could be fatal.

    Go to just about any hardware store and pick up a 15 amp two pole breaker and replace both of the existing breakers.

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:12 PM.