Ckt Breakers-Question for you electrical guys

[dgl24087]

The load center in my house is 200 amp but a relatively small number of slots for breakers. All were used when the house was wired 22 yrs ago. It is a Crouse Hinds box. I would like to change a couple of the full slot breakers to half slot breakers so that I can add one more 220 v breaker. I have not found a local source of CH breakers yet. Are any other brands compatible with the CH load center? Or will I have to find the correct CH breakers?

Murray makes breakers for Crouse Hind boxes.

 

[BillyP]

The load center in my house is 200 amp but a relatively small number of slots for breakers. All were used when the house was wired 22 yrs ago. It is a Crouse Hinds box. I would like to change a couple of the full slot breakers to half slot breakers so that I can add one more 220 v breaker. I have not found a local source of CH breakers yet. Are any other brands compatible with the CH load center? Or will I have to find the correct CH breakers?

Is this what you're talking about?

Compare 20 Amp Dual Circuit Breaker Prices - Shop for Tools and Hardware at mySimon

 

[BB_TX]

That may be just what I need. Thanks.

 

[hockeypuck]

I would go ahead with 100 amp subpanel. This will not be the last time you want to add circuits. I would go get a 20 or 30 circuit main lug panel and a 8 foot piece of #2awg ser wire. That could be done for under 100 bucks with a few breakers to boot. Just my opinion.

 

[_RaT_]

What I like about the Cutler Hammer )CH) is that it has copper bus bars. The others are aluminum. I have seen several panesl with aluminum bus bars have breakers fail from heat at the connection. The CH was recommended by my local electrical supplier for this reason.

Depends on the Cutler Hammer. The Siemens sub panels I use are all copper but with way more room on either side of the breakers for my grounds and neutrals. My home has a Cutler meter/main that was placed in there in 2001. The design is terrible for neutral and ground connection. I much prefer Siemens. The breakers for these panels are all pretty similar be it Siemens, GE (another well designed box), Cutler, Murray, the old ITE and others. Square D is very proud of their products and the price shows.

 

[Amontilado]

All,
Another possible thought, though definately not the cheapest. After we took over my wife's parents house after they passes, we did some major gutting. Part of this was electrical. The electrician added a 220v panel on the outside of the house, near the meter, the ran all new 220v panels and appliances from there, including the old main panel (now it's treated as a sub-panel). I have quite a bit of space to add more sub-panels and such (need one for the outside shed). A more flexible solution.

Steve

 

[LarryD]

I have a Cutler Hammer box and they don't make a 1/2 size breaker.

I just saw 1/2 size breakers for Cutler Hammer at the local Ace hardware store today. Not sure if they'll fit yours but they sure fit mine.

 

[_RaT_]

I just saw 1/2 size breakers for Cutler Hammer at the local Ace hardware store today. Not sure if they'll fit yours but they sure fit mine.

Cutler also makes what are called Quad breakers. With these you can get two 240V circuits or 1 240V and 2 120V circuits.

 

[BobRip]

Cutler also makes what are called Quad breakers. With these you can get two 240V circuits or 1 240V and 2 120V circuits.

I am glad to hear that. One of my panels is almost full.

 

[Highbeam]

I just replaced my Zinsco panel yesterday with a siemens panel and it had all copper buss bars. Quite a chore. It took me and my buddy electrician almost all day. Thank goodness for a generator and the woodstove. The coolest part is that the new panel is a 200 amp load center/ transfer switch. It has the UL approved metal interlock so that you can backfeed the panel through an included dedicated generator backfeed breaker ONLY when the main breaker is turned to off. Pretty slick.