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    mscott998's Avatar
    mscott998 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 23, 2008, 06:28 PM
    Attempting to install GFCI circuit breakers (3 wires for 2 breakers)
    OK here is my situation
    I have a Siemens box in my home I'm installing GFCI breakers to bring it up to code for insurance purposes
    Only thing is 4 rooms in this home are for some reason wired together on 3 wires (red black and white) connected to two separate breakers (30 Amps each) (two rooms on the black and two rooms on the red and one white common for both) I cannot get both GFCI breakers to work with this because of the single common
    What is the best way to correct this problem?
    I Have looked into the double pole circuit breakers but can't find them in the USA they only seem available in Canada for some reason.

    Please any input would be helpful. Thank you
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
     
    #2

    Jun 23, 2008, 07:15 PM
    First, lets talk about why those breakers are 30 amps. What size are the wires.
    mscott998's Avatar
    mscott998 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jun 23, 2008, 08:29 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by hkstroud
    First, lets talk about why those breakers are 30 amps. What size are the wires.


    We just purchased the home about 30 days ago and each circuit supply 2 rooms each and are approx 12 gauge wiring
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #4

    Jun 23, 2008, 09:55 PM
    Sorry but you got to find out what size wire that is. The size is marked on the outer sheathing. The amperage of the circuit breaker used is limited by the size of the wire. Twelve (12) gauge wire must be protected by a 20 amp (or less) circuit breaker. Recepticals on those circuits would have to be rated for 30 amps should buy some chance the wire is 10 gauge. That would make the circuits unusable for normal household appliances.

    Got to verify wire size (probably is 12 gauge)and get proper breakers installed (fire hazard).

    Don't know why anyone would have installed 30 amp breakers. Sounds like a 20 amp circuit would be more than adequate for what you have describe.

    Anything else about you electric that doesn't look right?

    If you can't get to any of the cable sheathing to verify size, purchase a wire stripper. That the tool you use to strip the insulation off the end of a wire. It has different size holes to fit different size wire. Use that to measure the size of the bare end of a wire.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #5

    Jun 24, 2008, 06:20 AM
    If in conduit, pull an extra neutral, so each circuit has own neutral.
    Agree with the 20 Amp breaker if #12, 15 Amp if #14.
    mscott998's Avatar
    mscott998 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Jun 24, 2008, 11:12 AM
    Thank you for your help I was able to find a 20Amp 2 pole GFCI breaker of a different brand that was compatible with my box at the local electrical supply company it resolved my problem.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #7

    Jun 24, 2008, 04:01 PM
    Have heard but not seen one, have always been able to get extra neutral as conduit is common. Only drawback is if tripped, it takes out another room with it, may not be bad?
    Hopefull the wiring was #12 or Larger.

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