What is the principle behind “circuit total limitation” (CTL) for electrical panels?
Contemporary electrical panels/loadcenters limit the number of tandem circuit breakers that can be used. Is this because areas of the underlying panel bus bars can overheat despite all of the individual breakers (including the main) operating below their rated trip current? Or is it because of the risk of a neutral slot being used by more than one circuit? Both? Something else?
electrical-panel circuit-breaker
asked Feb 23 at 11:45
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Contemporary electrical panels/loadcenters limit the number of tandem circuit breakers that can be used. Is this because areas of the underlying panel bus bars can overheat despite all of the individual breakers (including the main) operating below their rated trip current? Or is it because of the risk of a neutral slot being used by more than one circuit? Both? Something else?
electrical-panel circuit-breaker
asked Feb 23 at 11:45
WerdnaWerdnaWerdnaWerdna
111
add a comment |
Contemporary electrical panels/loadcenters limit the number of tandem circuit breakers that can be used. Is this because areas of the underlying panel bus bars can overheat despite all of the individual breakers (including the main) operating below their rated trip current? Or is it because of the risk of a neutral slot being used by more than one circuit? Both? Something else?
electrical-panel circuit-breaker
asked Feb 23 at 11:45
WerdnaWerdnaWerdnaWerdna
111
Contemporary electrical panels/loadcenters limit the number of tandem circuit breakers that can be used. Is this because areas of the underlying panel bus bars can overheat despite all of the individual breakers (including the main) operating below their rated trip current? Or is it because of the risk of a neutral slot being used by more than one circuit? Both? Something else?
electrical-panel circuit-breaker
electrical-panel circuit-breaker
asked Feb 23 at 11:45
WerdnaWerdnaWerdnaWerdna
111
asked Feb 23 at 11:45
WerdnaWerdnaWerdnaWerdna
111
asked Feb 23 at 11:45
WerdnaWerdnaWerdnaWerdna
111
asked Feb 23 at 11:45
WerdnaWerdnaWerdnaWerdna
111
asked Feb 23 at 11:45
WerdnaWerdnaWerdnaWerdna
111
111
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
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It is to limit the total number of circuits, and so the total load on the bus etc. It doesn't have anything to do with the neutrals.
answered Feb 23 at 11:48
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.6k11742
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Circuit Total Limitations comes from a requirement way back in the 1960's where the NEC required panel board manufactures to limit the total number of circuit breakers a panel could contain.
The principle was probably safety and prevention of fire due to the advent of tandem breakers possibility of being overused beyond the panel boards listed capacity.
answered Feb 23 at 13:07
KrisKris
4,2222730
1
*Kris, I think that was 1968.
– batsplatsterson
Feb 23 at 13:51
1
In the days before silicon, when no load existed below about 100W.
– Harper
Feb 23 at 13:54
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
2
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It is to limit the total number of circuits, and so the total load on the bus etc. It doesn't have anything to do with the neutrals.
answered Feb 23 at 11:48
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.6k11742
add a comment |
It is to limit the total number of circuits, and so the total load on the bus etc. It doesn't have anything to do with the neutrals.
answered Feb 23 at 11:48
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.6k11742
add a comment |
It is to limit the total number of circuits, and so the total load on the bus etc. It doesn't have anything to do with the neutrals.
answered Feb 23 at 11:48
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.6k11742
It is to limit the total number of circuits, and so the total load on the bus etc. It doesn't have anything to do with the neutrals.
answered Feb 23 at 11:48
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.6k11742
answered Feb 23 at 11:48
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.6k11742
answered Feb 23 at 11:48
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.6k11742
answered Feb 23 at 11:48
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.6k11742
13.6k11742
add a comment |
add a comment |
Circuit Total Limitations comes from a requirement way back in the 1960's where the NEC required panel board manufactures to limit the total number of circuit breakers a panel could contain.
The principle was probably safety and prevention of fire due to the advent of tandem breakers possibility of being overused beyond the panel boards listed capacity.
answered Feb 23 at 13:07
KrisKris
4,2222730
1
*Kris, I think that was 1968.
– batsplatsterson
Feb 23 at 13:51
1
In the days before silicon, when no load existed below about 100W.
– Harper
Feb 23 at 13:54
add a comment |
Circuit Total Limitations comes from a requirement way back in the 1960's where the NEC required panel board manufactures to limit the total number of circuit breakers a panel could contain.
The principle was probably safety and prevention of fire due to the advent of tandem breakers possibility of being overused beyond the panel boards listed capacity.
answered Feb 23 at 13:07
KrisKris
4,2222730
1
*Kris, I think that was 1968.
– batsplatsterson
Feb 23 at 13:51
1
In the days before silicon, when no load existed below about 100W.
– Harper
Feb 23 at 13:54
add a comment |
Circuit Total Limitations comes from a requirement way back in the 1960's where the NEC required panel board manufactures to limit the total number of circuit breakers a panel could contain.
The principle was probably safety and prevention of fire due to the advent of tandem breakers possibility of being overused beyond the panel boards listed capacity.
answered Feb 23 at 13:07
KrisKris
4,2222730
Circuit Total Limitations comes from a requirement way back in the 1960's where the NEC required panel board manufactures to limit the total number of circuit breakers a panel could contain.
The principle was probably safety and prevention of fire due to the advent of tandem breakers possibility of being overused beyond the panel boards listed capacity.
answered Feb 23 at 13:07
KrisKris
4,2222730
edited Feb 23 at 13:57
answered Feb 23 at 13:07
KrisKris
4,2222730
answered Feb 23 at 13:07
KrisKris
4,2222730
answered Feb 23 at 13:07
KrisKris
4,2222730
4,2222730
1
*Kris, I think that was 1968.
– batsplatsterson
Feb 23 at 13:51
1
In the days before silicon, when no load existed below about 100W.
– Harper
Feb 23 at 13:54
add a comment |
1
*Kris, I think that was 1968.
– batsplatsterson
Feb 23 at 13:51
1
In the days before silicon, when no load existed below about 100W.
– Harper
Feb 23 at 13:54
1
1
*Kris, I think that was 1968.
– batsplatsterson
Feb 23 at 13:51
*Kris, I think that was 1968.
– batsplatsterson
Feb 23 at 13:51
1
1
In the days before silicon, when no load existed below about 100W.
– Harper
Feb 23 at 13:54
In the days before silicon, when no load existed below about 100W.
– Harper
Feb 23 at 13:54
add a comment |
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