Electrical Service Panel Multiple Taps
Double taps or multiple taps in an electrical service panel indicate amateur electrical work
Most electrical service panel box connections are designed to hold one single conductor, only. No panel box should have more than one white-insulated neutral wire in a single hole on the grounding buss bar. Most electrical service panel boxes allow two or three bare grounding wires per hole but only one white-insulated wire on the neutral buss connection. Similarly, most breakers are designed to hold only a single hot wire (either black or red) (the exception is on especially marked Square D Breakers).
National Codes require that any breaker capable of accepting more than one wire, be clearly marked. A poor connection is possible if more than one wire is attached to a breaker, especially if the size of the wires is unequal. These “multiple taps” should be separated and each conductor should be provided with its own breaker connection, as necessary.
If the box has no room for another breaker or fuse and the existing circuits is overloaded by being connected to existing breakers or fuses, a sub-panel will need to be added. If the added sub-panel with its new load would overload the service entrance equipment or any of its conductors, then these will also have to be replaced.
Chet Riley is the Owner/Proprietor of CENTENNIAL Home Inspections. For any questions regarding home inspections, please call Chet at 585-293-2278. Or e-mail him at criley1@rochester.rr.com. Further information can be obtained at http://www.centennialhomeinspections.com/.