On Oct 29, 6:18*pm, "John Beckman" wrote:
Greetings,
I was looking at a 1955 bungalow with what is probably an updated electrical
panel. However, there was no typical "main breaker" at the top, there were
just two rows of breakers on each side. the stove and water heater had the
typical tied breakers that would indicate that it is a 240 volt breaker.
However, at the top left side of the panel there were three 100 amp
breakers, side by side with their handles tied together. If it was just two
tied together, I'd just say OK 100 amp service and these are the mains, BUT
there were three of them. What gives, I'm thinking of buying the place and
want to know what kind of elec service it has. Unfortunately I did not
remove the panel cover, and I don't know the brand. Suggestions? Speculation

John

John-

In order to be sure....You have to pull (or have someone pull) the
cover panel so you can see how its wired.

I'm thinking that someone got a "free" 3 phase panel from work (or a
friend) and installed it in a residential application.

I'll bet that:

That only two poles of that three pole breaker are wired & that the
installer jumpered two of the three phase buses together......such
that 120V is available at every slot, but 240V is only available at
certain pairings.

If it's a fairly recent Square D panel, I'd bet that the three phase
bus arrangement can be changed out for a "normal" bus, they're pretty
modular & can be slid in & out.

After getting a look inside the panel, I wouldn't consider this a deal
breaker but you could always ask for a discount to panel for a panel
rewire.



cheers
Bob