Inspected a split bus panel today and noticed one breaker seems to be straddling the upper and lower sections. According to the diagram the 60 Amp breaker on the lower right of the upper portion of the panel (position #6) feeds the lower section. However, There’s a breaker at postion #7 that appears to be tied in to the upper and lower panels. This is the first time I’ve ever seen something like this and want to make sure there’s not a useful purpose for this configuration. Not sure what the 30 Amp breaker goes to; the 60 Amp breaker above it goes to the AC unit. Just thought I’d get some input before I started beating my head against the wall. Thanks for the knowledge.
The only thing I can think of is a generator backfeed for lower portion. If it connects to upper buss in addition to lower, it makes little sense as there is space above for 2pole breaker. Did the house have a portable genset receptacle somewhere? Regardless, I’d recommend an electrician look at it, it’s not used per design and or was modified.
Hey Simon, no generator, past or present. The client was at the inspection and I told them I’d never seen anything like it before in all my years of inspecting. I told them they’d probably need to get an electrician but that I’d research it first to make sure. I had to do a double-take when I first spotted it.
Never seen that done. No reason that I can conceive to do it other than the person who installed it not understanding what they were doing. Looks like the circuit is a newer addition. If you have a higher res copy of the top image you can check the panel label to see if they support a double pole breaker spanning the 5/7 position.
I would write it up.
The breaker is incorrectly installed. It should be corrected by a licensed electrician.
Good catch.