You just had a home inspection, and your home inspector called out a defect in your electrical breaker panel. The defect is a double-tapped breaker. What does it mean to have a double-tapped breaker? A double-tapped breaker is when more than one wire is inserted into a circuit breaker designed specifically for a single wire. The professionals at HomePro Inspections are trained to look for, identify, and document this type of potentially dangerous problem.
Single wires connected to circuit breakers
Why is this a problem?
Although some breakers are designed to hold more than one wire, most are not. You must understand the difference and determine if there is a problem. If you encounter a double-tapped breaker in your electrical panel, you may need to contact an electrician to resolve the issue. It can be a fire hazard if two wires are installed in a breaker designed for one wire.
The top diagram shows two wires at the circuit breaker.
If two wires are connected to a breaker that is not designed for two wires, it can and may result in overheating or arcing because they cannot be attached tightly enough. If the two wires are of different gauges, the screw used to secure the wires will tighten on the larger wire but not the smaller one.
Ways to fix double taps
There are a variety of ways that this problem can be resolved. Below, we will explore a few possibilities. Refer to the panel guidelines for your specific electrical panel rules and specifications regarding breaker styles.
· Pigtail: This is done by removing the wires from the breaker connection and adding a third wire. Wire-nutting the two wires with a short section of wire will allow you to secure the added wire to the circuit breaker.
An example of a pigtail
· Tandem circuit breakers: These are special breakers designed to create two breakers that will fit into the space of one breaker in the electrical panel. You can re-attach the two wires to each of the connections.
· Two-wire-designed breakers: Some companies have circuit breakers designed to accommodate a two-wire connection.
· Add another breaker: If there is room in the electrical panel, you can add another breaker and move the wire.
How much does a circuit breaker cost?
A circuit breaker from a hardware store, big-box store, or the internet can cost anywhere from around $6.00 to $60.00 and more. Why the huge difference? Circuit breakers range from very simple to complex, and manufacturer and configuration come into play. If you don’t know what type of circuit breaker you need or don’t have the skills to do the work, for safety’s sake, we recommend that you hire an electrician.
How much does it cost to have an electrician add or replace a circuit breaker?
Having an electrician add a circuit breaker to your breaker box can vary in price. Not only does it depend on the type and cost of the breaker, but also how long it takes the electrician to do the work. Generally, it takes most electricians two hours to install a new circuit breaker in your breaker box. Anytime you need to add a breaker to fix a double-tapped breaker, expect to pay $150 to $250.
Summary
In most cases, a homeowner will not open up an electrical panel and inspect it for defects. A home inspector usually catches these types of defects during a home inspection or if you are having electrical work done on your panel.
At HomePro Inspections, our home inspectors are trained to inspect all areas of the home. Any electrical issues are documented in your home inspection report and recommended for resolution by a qualified professional.
Visit our website to learn more or to schedule your home inspection in the Rochester, Owatonna, and Faribault, MN areas. You can contact us today at (507) 202-8942 or use our online “Schedule Now” feature to schedule an appointment.