Making sure your breakers’ connections are tight and properly executed is very important to fire safety. When this occurs there are still options to remedy which a licensed electrician can asses. Book an Appointment ABOUT US: As licensed electrical contractors, we provide our clients with a comprehensive approach to all of their projects, specializing in a wide range of services. Double tapping is a defect when it is used on incompatible devices. Required fields are marked *. Playing with electricity without proper experience could be dangerous to yourself and your home! Why it's a problem: If the circuit breaker isn't designed to hold two conductors, the conductors could come loose at some point in the future, even if they feel very tight today. When it IS a defect: This is a defect when the circuit breaker isn't designed for two conductors, and most aren't. Then, if you determine that you have a problem you need to address, contact an electrical contractor in North Scottsdale, AZ, to perform this professional repair. Glendale, AZ 85310, North Valley: 602-318-1164 The curveball here is that some breakers are designed to accept multiple wires and it’s not a problem with those types. They will use their specialized knowledge and training to adjust the wires and determine which wire belongs in the circuit breaker and which one does not, making the appropriate adjustment. Each time, they were professional, and so helpful. How to fix: The fixes I'm going to list below are a few common ways of dealing with double-tapped circuit breakers. A double tapped circuit breaker, commonly referred to as a “double tap” is an electrical defect inside an electrical panel.
When it's NOT a defect: Double tapped wiring is ok if the circuit breaker is designed for two conductors. According to the Star Tribune, a double tap occurs when two conductors are connected under one screw inside a panelboard. However, a double tapped breaker can also be a defect if the breaker isn’t designed to hold two conductors. While they might feel secure and seem to be working fine, these conductors could loosen up leading to arcing, overheating, and safety hazards, including fire.
The main panel is a 200 amp mounted on the exterior.
Single breakers are cheap (under $5), and this is simplest repair in terms of technical skill. The inspector called out an issue with a double-tapped breaker. Double tapped breakers are an unsafe condition in which multiple conductors are placed under the set screw of a single breaker.
A Home Inspector’s Year in Review. If a panel will accept tandem breakers, it will say so inside the panel, and the specific locations where tandem breakers can be used will be identified. Double taps are only visible when the panel cover is removed and is the most common electric panel defect that we find at, A double tap occurs when two wires are connected to a single circuit breaker that is only engineered to accept one wire (see photo below). You may also hear this condition referred to as a “double lug.”. If you need to request an appointment with an electrical contractor in North Scottsdale, AZ for a double tapped circuit breaker or if you are in need of any other electrical repairs, the expert team at Eavenson Electric can get the job done. A double tap can be accommodated by installing a new circuit board compatible with double tapping. All rights reserved. 6424 E. Greenway Pkwy.