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New Member
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Apr 15, 2009, 06:40 AM
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Breaker Switches
If there is a breaker labeled as "Spare" in the breaker panel, does it matter if the switch is turned "on" or "off"? Thanks!
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Electrical & Lighting Expert
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Apr 15, 2009, 06:44 AM
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As long as there is no wire on it it doesn't matter.
Someone may have used that breaker and not re-labeled it.
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Uber Member
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Apr 15, 2009, 06:53 AM
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What?
 Originally Posted by stanfortyman
Someone may have used that breaker and not re-labeled it.
How could that happen? That's not allowed by code! Does that still happen?
LOL, just being scarcastic.
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Electrical & Lighting Expert
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Apr 15, 2009, 07:06 AM
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Maybe it was for a "Spare room" and the installed had ADD and never finished writing the label. :p
I can see myslef doing something like that. :D
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New Member
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Apr 15, 2009, 07:14 AM
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Thanks guys! This is for a commercial building. Each panel has several "spare" breakers. Though none control power to anything one either floor. Being that its not a complete circuit, I assumed there was no harm in leaving all of them in the "on" position, just wanted to make sure... Thanks to all of you for your help, and sarcasm.
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Uber Member
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Apr 15, 2009, 07:30 AM
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I will say, sounds like someone did exactly as required by code, even labeling spare breakers as "Spare", which is often looked for by electrical and fire inspectors.
Leaving a the label for a spare breaker blank is no longer allowed.
Unfortunately, as Stan mentions, that someone could have used a spare and not relabeled the panel, the only way to confirm is to open the panel and look to be sure.
Opening a panel, esp a commercial location, should only be done by a qualified person wearing the proper protective gear.
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Electrical & Lighting Expert
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Apr 15, 2009, 07:32 AM
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 Originally Posted by tkrussell
I will say, sounds like someone did exactly as required by code, even labeling spare breakers as "Spare", whcih is often looked for by electrical and fire inspectors.
Leaving a the label for a spare breaker blank is no longer allowed.
Unfortunatley, as Stan mentions, that someone could have used a spare and not relabeled the panel, the only way to confirm is to open the panel and look to be sure.
Opening a panel, esp a commercial location, should only be done by a qualified person wearing the proper protective gear.
I completely agree on all points.
Commercially it is very common to see a FULL panel that has many spares.
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Uber Member
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Apr 17, 2009, 10:46 PM
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I usually turn the spare ones off. Then, if I find anything that doesn't work until I turn them back on, I then know it's not actually spare.
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