On Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:19:15 -0700 (PDT), stryped
wrote:

My electrical panel I am putting up says "do not but more than 150
amps on one stab" or somethign to that effect.

Is this just saying not to use a circuit breaker over 150 amps ? (This
is a 100 amp panel).

They might use the same basic buss in a 200A panel, with a 200A
bolt-on main breaker or line lug set. When you use it as a 100A sub,
it is never a problem - the feed breaker wiill trip first.

See how you can put two 1" thick breakers (or four 1/2" thin)
back-to-back on one buss stab?

The total ampacity of all the breakers plugged into that one stab
can't add up to more than 150A, like two 90A thick breakers back to
back, or four 50A thin breakers in a square sharing that one stab.

If you overload it the metal of the stab will get all warm and
melty, and or the thermoplastic insulation holding the busbars in
place against the back panel will get all crispy and brittle and
smoky, and that is bad. Or worse, it will get all red and flamey -
and that is real bad.

This is one of those things that is obvious if you work with
electricity a lot, you just know to put all the heavy stuff on one
side and balance it off with a lot of light stuff on the other side.

But for the people who don't work with it everyday and therefore don't
see the problem, GE has to spell it out. They have to reduce the
chances you'll discover the problem on your own.

-- Bruce --