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calamityjane · Nov 11, 2008, 04:43 PM

I have a (residential) panel with 200 Amp wiring to the panel, on a 200 Amp circuit breaker. However, the paper sticker on the Bryant panel says that the panel is rated for 150 amps. The 200 amp service and the breakers all look original to the panel, has the UL rating stamp, etc. Is this okay, or is there something wrong with this picture? The electrical contractor who looked at it says it's fine, but the home inspector is not sure. Is there a safety issue, and should the main breaker and wiring be downgraded?

stanfortyman · Nov 11, 2008, 04:50 PM

A service is only as big as it's smallest part. In your case this is the 150A main breaker.

Why it is a 150 when everything else is 200 is beyond me. I'd trust your electrician LONG before I'd trust a H-I. Most H-I's are notoriously undereducated and inexperienced in the electrical field.

donf · Nov 11, 2008, 05:34 PM

Jane,

You have a main panel being fed 200 Amp? On the main panel is there a 200 Amp main breaker or a 150 Amp main breaker?

Does the label give you a make or model number of the panel box?

calamityjane · Nov 11, 2008, 05:42 PM

Wire is 4/0, and breaker is labelled 200 Amp. The panel is a Bryant, but I also saw Westinghouse on it. There is a manufacturer's paper label glued to the inside of the panel cover, on which, among other standard information, is printed "150 Amp panel". House was built in 1986.

stanfortyman · Nov 11, 2008, 06:09 PM

Sorry, I read it wrong. The panel @ 150A is your lowest rated part.

Like I said, I would trust the electrician first, but he may be wrong in this case. I can't see how a 200A breaker would fit in a 150A main breaker panel.

Are you sure it did not say "maximum 150A breaker"? That would make sense.

benaround · Nov 11, 2008, 09:48 PM

Jane,

Is there any other breakers upstream of this panel ? Like out at the meter. Your situation

Is likely safe but it is in violation of the Electrical Code.

Assured · Nov 21, 2008, 03:39 PM

calamityjane,
Is there a catalog number on the label? That tells some of the story and if you or someone has enough knowledge and can safely remove the cover, there is another label inside that tells the rest of the story.
If you have insufficient knowledge, do not remove the cover.
Will await for further info.

donf · Nov 22, 2008, 09:34 AM

Frank,

Just curious, where exactly would you expect another "Service Disconnect" breaker to be in a residence?