What did I do wrong, sub panel?
#1
05-13-19, 05:28 PM
What did I do wrong, sub panel?
I am using a 200 Amp main panel into a 100 Amp sub panel. They are 60' apart, 2 2 2 4 ALu ser wire. First pic is main panel, other 2 are sub panel. 100 amp breakers at each end. I am getting power to sub panel but when I flip the breaker in sub panel it kicks it back to off. I know I probably did something stupid, I just don't know what?
Popular Reply
05-13-19, 06:37 PM
Group Moderator
Ok..... you have confirmed a defective breaker. The latch is internally bad. It will need to be replaced.
Be sure you push the breaker hard to OFF before turning on. This can reset it.
Be sure you push the breaker hard to OFF before turning on. This can reset it.
#2
05-13-19, 05:59 PM
Nothing obvious from the pictures. More likely something that 20 amp circuit is feeding has its hot to ground shorted.
Note 2 gauge is technically only good for 90 amps so the breaker in the main is wrong.
Note 2 gauge is technically only good for 90 amps so the breaker in the main is wrong.
#3
05-13-19, 06:05 PM
"More likely something that 20 amp circuit is feeding has its hot to ground shorted."
I thought about that so I unhooked the circuit, no difference.
I thought about that so I unhooked the circuit, no difference.
#5
05-13-19, 06:13 PM
"What breaker is doing what ?"
Breaker in main box works right. Main breaker in subpanel is the one I can not turn on. When I flip it to on it just goes back to off.
Breaker in main box works right. Main breaker in subpanel is the one I can not turn on. When I flip it to on it just goes back to off.
#6
05-13-19, 06:18 PM
Group Moderator
Have you tried turning the sub panel main on with the breaker in the main panel off ?
It sounds like a bad breaker.
Good chance you'd have sparks if there was an actual short in the sub panel.
It sounds like a bad breaker.
Good chance you'd have sparks if there was an actual short in the sub panel.
#7
05-13-19, 06:31 PM
Yes, I tried turning the breaker in the main panel off. Even with no power to sub panel breaker won't stay in "on" position. No sparks or sizzling, just won't go to "on".
#8
05-13-19, 06:37 PM
Group Moderator
#12
05-18-19, 12:32 PM
I have not been able to get on this forum for a few days. I keep getting "unexpected error". I switched to a different browser and it works fine.
I shut the breaker off and smacked it with my palm and it works now. I never knew they had to be reset. I probably would have got this fixed as I probably would have got pissed and smacked it!! LOL, thanks for the help.
I shut the breaker off and smacked it with my palm and it works now. I never knew they had to be reset. I probably would have got this fixed as I probably would have got pissed and smacked it!! LOL, thanks for the help.
#13
05-19-19, 09:28 AM
I never knew they had to be reset.
That's a common issue. I believe the procedure for resetting a breaker is somewhere on the label inside the panel door, but I have yet to meet anyone who has actually read one.
#14
05-19-19, 12:22 PM
Member
Hi, one thing I would not have done is bring the SER into the panel directly across from the breaker as you did, either from top or bottom of panel so as to have some slack in the panel, but that’s just me.
Geo
Geo
#15
05-19-19, 02:11 PM
Leaving some slack for some wire bends or loops when using heavy gage wire also reduces the possible mechanical stress placed on the breaker terminals. It also will make it easier to change the breaker if necessary. That plus the usual reasons for slack such as allowing damaged ends of the wire to be renewed, the ability to make adjustments to accommodate other wires, etc.
