Are Tandem Breakers Bad

When tandem circuit breakers are used in locations where they re not allowed they could make an improper physical connection to the bus bar in the panelboard which can create a fire hazard.

Are tandem breakers bad. Look at the manufacturer s labeling on the inside face of the panel door. What s the concern with tandem circuit breakers. When tandem circuit breakers are used in locations where they re not allowed they could make an improper physical connection to the bus bar in the panelboard which can create a fire hazard. It has 20 full size spaces so tandem circuit breakers aren t allowed.

The use of tandem circuit breakers is a perfectly acceptable practice as long as the panelboard is designed for tandem circuit breakers and they re installed in locations within the panelboard where they re allowed. Tandem breakers are known by different names such as duplex slimline twin half height half inch double and wafer breakers. Some may confuse tandem breakers with two pole circuit breakers however tandem breakers do not get connected to two different poles at a panelboard and do not have a common trip or handle tie for simultaneous disconnecting of two poles unlike a two pole circuit breaker. Fortunately despite that moniker tandem circuit breakers are completely safe to use provided your panelboard was meant to house them and that you install them in the correct locations.