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Author what size breaker for load center?
klim

2006-04-27, 11:21 pm

Our service drop on the pole has a 90 amp breaker feeding the shop 200
feet away. In the shop is a 125 amp load center that is wired as lug
feed. I want to install a main breaker in the load center. Can I use a
100 amp breaker or do I have to use a 90 amp?
Eric

2006-04-27, 11:21 pm

klim wrote:

> Our service drop on the pole has a 90 amp breaker feeding the shop 200
> feet away. In the shop is a 125 amp load center that is wired as lug
> feed. I want to install a main breaker in the load center. Can I use a
> 100 amp breaker or do I have to use a 90 amp?


Depends on the wire size feeding the load center. Size the breaker for the
size of the incoming wire or the load center rating - **which ever is
less!**. ie, if the feed wire is rated at 100 amps use a 100 amp beaker or
less. Dont exceed the rating of the load center.
The breaker is protecting the feeder. for example if you fed a 125 amp load
center with wire rated for 200 amps then dont put a 200 amp main breaker in
the load center cuz now you run the possibility of exceeding the rating of
the load center.
Eric

RBM

2006-04-27, 11:21 pm

Since you have a main breaker on the pole, you don't need one in the shop to
protect the feeder, so 100 is fine


"klim" <r.klimesh@att.net> wrote in message
news:b1r25296um5shmrq1j2hd3gjhcvo8anb10@4ax.com...
> Our service drop on the pole has a 90 amp breaker feeding the shop 200
> feet away. In the shop is a 125 amp load center that is wired as lug
> feed. I want to install a main breaker in the load center. Can I use a
> 100 amp breaker or do I have to use a 90 amp?



Jeff

2006-04-28, 5:21 pm

Agree with others, however if you overload and trip the breaker, how easy is
it to reset. Maybe you want to use a smaller breaker in the shop for ease
of resetting.

"klim" <r.klimesh@att.net> wrote in message
news:b1r25296um5shmrq1j2hd3gjhcvo8anb10@4ax.com...
> Our service drop on the pole has a 90 amp breaker feeding the shop 200
> feet away. In the shop is a 125 amp load center that is wired as lug
> feed. I want to install a main breaker in the load center. Can I use a
> 100 amp breaker or do I have to use a 90 amp?



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