Circuit Breaker Wiring Question ?

Hello:

I am thinking about installing an Intermatic Surge Protector, Model IG1240RC (which replaces their EG240RC) in my 25 year old circuit breaker box. The box is a Federal Pacific Electric Model No. is LX112-24.

The Intermatic unit's wiring instructions, and probably the only practical way, have it connected to each side of the line via a dedicated circuit breaker for each leg.

The problem I have is that although I have been beating the bushes trying to find someone who has breakers that will fit this box (tried North American Switchgear and also Voyten Electric) with no luck. Will keep looking, and might luck out, but it looks like they are probably really unavailable. Really don't want to replace the box with a new one.

So, my question is this:

I remember from reading the NEC codes a while back that it is a real sin to have 2 (black) wires going to a single breaker. This was written for two branch circuits, of course, and that each branch must have its own breaker.

I am wondering if this would also be a no-no if I connected the surge protector wire to a circuit breaker that is also feeding a branch circuit ? This seems a bit different than what the code was implying shouldn't be done, and was wondering if this might be allowable.

It would sure solve my problem easily.

What do you think ?

Thanks, Bob

Reply to
Robert11
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FPE breakers - could look for perveyors of used equipment or an electrical contractor that does a lot of trouble calls.

You can't have 2 wires under the same screw unless the device is listed for 2. As far as I know, only Square D 15-20-30 breakers are listed. No problem to combine 2 or more breakers with a wire nut and a pig-tail or the breaker. You can combine 2 branch ckts on one breaker if they do not cover an objectionable number of outlets and lights; also have to watch out for changing phases when a circuit has a common neutral.

Sounds reasonable. The surge protector only draws significant current when shunting a surge and could trip the breaker on a long surge. Keep wires short

Bud--

Reply to
Bud

You should use a 2 pole breaker.

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google brought up 257 hits in a second. They are not that hard to find. Cost well we shall not discuss that.

Reply to
SQLit

Do not put two wires under one breaker screw. Do one of the following:

1) Add a 2 pole breaker and wire the surge supressor to it. or 2) Remove the black wires from an existing two pole breaker. Splice the supressor wires and a jumper wire to those black wires - the jumper goes to the breaker or 3) Do the same as the above with two adjacent single breakers to which you add a toggle tie. or 4) Run an existing 240 volt branch into a junction box mounted to the service panel with a short nipple. Mount the supressor to the jbox and splice its wires in the j box to the existing 240 v branch circuit wires. Then run from the j-box to the breakers and ground/neutral bus.

# 4 is least costly and avoids any issue with splicing inside a service entry panel.

Ed

Reply to
ehsjr

Maybe.

I know when I got a "signal repeater/coupler" for my X-10 system the instructions clearly said that TWO single pole breakers were required and that's what I put in.

Maybe "they" were afraid that I would not be able to find a 15 amp double pole breaker and would end up putting in a 20 amp.

Reply to
John Gilmer

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