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

    Apr 18, 2007, 03:38 PM
    Main Breaker location
    Hi all,

    Just found this great site. I hope someone can help me out. I am replacing the breaker panel in my house and because of the way the wires from the meter feed into the box I want to know if I can put the main breaker at the bottom of the panel and the branch circuit breakers above. I always see the main breaker on top but don't know if that is because most are fed from the top or if it is some kind of code? (It looks like the panel is made to be hung either direction.)

    Thanks in advance,
    BW Swede
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #2

    Apr 18, 2007, 03:44 PM
    The cover can be reversed, but no matter if the main is at the bottom or top, the lever must be Up is ON and Down must be Off. So many panels are ordered with top or bottom feed so the main is orientated properly.

    Some mains allow for the breaker to be relocated, but not many. If the main lays side to side, then it don't matter which is which.
    BWSwede's Avatar
    BWSwede Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Apr 18, 2007, 03:59 PM
    tkrussell,

    Thanks for the response. If I understand correctly, if my main breaker switch is the side to side type then I can put it at the top or bottom, but if it is an up/down switch then it has to be oriented so that when the switch is pulled down the panel is off. Correct?

    Thanks again,
    BW Swede
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #4

    Apr 18, 2007, 04:01 PM
    Correct, any switch up and down, down must be OFF.
    BWSwede's Avatar
    BWSwede Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Apr 18, 2007, 04:05 PM
    Thank you for clarifying.

    Best,
    BW Swede
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