Need 120V breaker in mains box


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Old 08-14-06, 01:50 PM
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Question Need 120V breaker in mains box

I need 120V to power a couple of things (irrigation related) outside near my main breaker box. Currently the box has one empty breaker recepticle. The other 'taken' spots are 230V breakers. Is there a breaker that I can purchase to put in that spot that will allow me to obtain 120V out of that main box?

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Old 08-14-06, 01:58 PM
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If it is your main disconnect, you can, if there are 5 or less throws there already. If there are 6 already, you cannot.

If it is a spa or an A/C disconnect, you cannot.
 
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Old 08-14-06, 02:01 PM
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First, you need to define "main breaker box"

Is this the service disconnect? or is it after the disconnect.

If it is the service disconnect, how many breakers are in it right now?

Finally, for us to be able to tell you yes or no, we need to know what brand of panel it is and the model number of the panel.

Some panels look like there is room for another breaker when in actuality, there isn't.
 
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Old 08-14-06, 02:03 PM
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There are 5 there with room for 1 more. What kind of breaker do I need?
 
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Old 08-14-06, 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by digix2k
There are 5 there with room for 1 more. What kind of breaker do I need?
Since you are so free with the info, you need whatever brand your panel is. On the panel label, it will tell you what series of panel it is as most manufacturers have several with breakers that do not interchange.

Utilize that info and go to the store with those numbers in hand and find a single pole breaker with the series designation you have.
 
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Old 08-14-06, 02:21 PM
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I was just concerned that if I tied my white/bare to ground, my AC signal would have an offset, whereas the 230V is referenced to a center ground (bare). That was my concern.
 
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Old 08-14-06, 02:25 PM
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with that statement, no, it will cause no problems. This is a very normal situation.

At the service disconnect, all grounds and neutrals are effectively bonded at that point.

The 240 uses no neutral.
 
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Old 08-14-06, 02:25 PM
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NAP, didn't see your original post. Wasn't trying to 'horde' the info.

"Is this the service disconnect? or is it after the disconnect.
This is at the breaker box on the side of the house

If it is the service disconnect, how many breakers are in it right now?
5

Finally, for us to be able to tell you yes or no, we need to know what brand of panel it is and the model number of the panel.
Milstead

Some panels look like there is room for another breaker when in actuality, there isn't."
 
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Old 08-15-06, 07:08 PM
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"at the side of the house" doesn't say if it is a main or not. If the meter feeds directly into it, it surely would be the main. Otherwise, it likely isn't the main.
 
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Old 08-15-06, 07:42 PM
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After reading this whole thread I can safely say a picture is worth a thousand posts!

How about a shot of this "Milstead" panel, that is "on the side of the house".
 
 

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