This is feeding another distribution panel for a pool, but the only thing on that panel is a pool pump (10 amps), a pool light and a couple 20 amp receptacle.
Two questions:
Am I missing something, that the disconnect needs to be so high? I doubt the pump has any draw on startup,
Obviously that is way too much allowable current to be flowing through the 8 amp wires.
Only reason I brought it up here, is because these panels were replaced a couple years ago, and the seller has the permit on hand, showing city inspection. (I know city inspectors miss stuff ALL the time, but this is pretty major, not to mention they missed ground/neutral bonding issues on the sub as well) So neither the seller or the agent thinks an electrician needs to correct.
I am just wondering if I am missing something, and is it EVER ok to have this kind of oversized breaker/conductor setup. This is twice the amount those conductors should be allowed!!
Also, the service conductors are 200 amp from the mast to the meter, but then from the meter to the service panel is 125 amp. From there is has the 100 amp for pool, the 100 amp for the main distribution panel, and 60 amp a/c, 30 amp water heater. Not sure why they didn’t just continue the 200 amp to the service panel? Is this undersized?
Thanks Again!!
I would guess that the panel below the meter is not rated over 125 amps so there is no need to run 200 amp conductors. As far as being undersized you could need a load calculation to know for sure.
I agree a train wreck. At quick glance the pool panel has a red, green, white and bare conductor connected to the neutral bar, not to mention the 100 amp feeder with #8 AWG conductors on it. I hope this same electrician didn’t wire the pool.
The green wire actually bonds to the enclosure, (bottom right) but the neutral bar does have grounds and neutrals from the receptacles on it.
I am going to stick to my guns about having an electrician look at it, (even the buyers agent was questioning since it had permits), and was trying to get me to change my 4 point report so they can get insurance…
So Robert, you agree that the 8g is a problem, (or at least just installing a smaller breaker) is there ever a time something like that is allowed, other than hvac? (Even then, it’s not that drastic, usually just one breaker size bigger for the initial draw)
Yes the 100 amp circuit breaker needs to be changed to a 50 amp or smaller or the #8 wire needs to be increased in size. There is no NEC section that would allow a 100 amp OCPD on those #8 feeder conductors. If this was inspected I don’t see anyone could pass it unless they never opened the cover.
I actually used my gauges for it, just for the pic in the report to prove it was way undersized. This is the 100 amp for the pool. 8 awg stranded copper
I know these things aren’t fool proof, but they give a pretty good idea, they have different gauges for copper, aluminum, and even the older copper
