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You'll need to know what the total current demand is for the circuit, then select the circuit breaker that will take the load without tripping, i.e. its rating will have to be equal to or larger than the demand. There are other factors to consider, but for domestic installations (in the UK) you'd normally install 'B' Type MCBs. If this answer hasn't clarified things, then you need to seek the services of a professional electrician.

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14y ago
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12y ago

Calculated load, determined by the amp draws of the attached equipment and maybe some allowances for future equipment.

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Q: What determines the size of a main breaker distribution panel?
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What is the rating of the main circuit breaker of the 60kw power distribution panel?

200 amps


What is the smallest size circuit breaker found in the normal home?

The biggest circuit breaker in any home is the main breaker located in your main breaker panel that is installed where your electrical service cable comes into your home.


You lost a voltage leg by connecting the ground wire to the circuit breaker but com ed wires are still energized?

Yes this could be true. The breaker to the load will have tripped. The main breaker should still be allowing voltage to the distribution panel because it did not trip. If the main breaker tripped then the distribution panel must have been close to maximum amperage and the shorting of the branch circuit was enough to trip the mains.


When a voltage leg is lost by connecting the ground wire to the circuit breaker are com ed wires still energized?

Yes this could be true. The breaker to the load will have tripped. The main breaker should still be allowing voltage to the distribution panel because it did not trip. If the main breaker tripped then the distribution panel must have been close to maximum amperage and the shorting of the branch circuit was enough to trip the mains.


What is different between feeder breaker and motor breaker?

You have to be careful with terms in the electrical field, Example: Main Feeder Circuits will feed a Transformer for distribution and each of those main circuits might feed numbeous Motor control centers. However each of those circuits could be called a main feeder for the motor control center. Confusing. We have High Voltage Transmittion tansformered down for Distribution. So normally a Feeder Breaker will feed Main circuits that will be used for distribution. Example Your home panel will have a main feeder circuit to the whole panel and distribution breakers to you home.


Why tap in your house gives shock when it is touched or used?

Your water system is not grounded. Turn the main breaker in your distribution panel to off and ground the water system. If a "hot" wire has come into contact with the plumbing, when you turn the electrical panel main breaker back on a breaker will trip. This will give you the circuit that is at fault and a place to start looking for the short circuit.


Why would power be received before breaker but with breaker on no power is in any recepticles?

The voltage before the breaker is from the distribution panel's buss bars. This voltage is controlled by the panel's main breaker. To have no voltage on the terminal of the breaker means that either the breaker is shut off or it has gone into a trip position. If it has tripped push the handle of the breaker to the off position and then to the on position. This should reset the breaker. If the voltage is not present at the output terminal of the breaker after resetting it, then replace the breaker as it has a fault in it.


How do you find out how big your main breaker box is?

Simple. Your main electrical panel will have a "main breaker". This will be a two pole breaker, usually at the top of the panel. It will have a number on the breaker "handle" such as 150 or 200. This is the maximum number of amps your panel can supply. Most newer homes, 1975 and newer have a 200 amp service.


Can you use a main lug panel for your home or do you have to use a panel with a main breaker?

The service distribution needs to have a disconnect from the utility supply. Most homes use a combination distribution panel. If the home owner wants to have a load center installed then there has to be a fused disconnect ahead of the panel. The less costly of the two options is the combination panel. Labour costs drive the load center, main service switch option much higher because there are more materials to assemble.


Will a circuit breaker function the same if supply and loads are reversed?

Yes, a circuit breaker will function the same if supply and loads are reversed. This is the way that some sub panels are fed instead of a main disconnect at the top of the distribution panel.


What can a loosely connected electrical wire in a breaker panel cause?

A short, which will trip the main breaker.


What is a sub main distribution board?

A sub main is a distribution board fed from the main distribution board panel normally protected via a CPD.