How many circuits are allowed in my panel?
Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 11:08 am
I recently had a general home inspection done on a house that I am selling. The home inspector stated in his report that the electric panel had too many circuits in it and that it should have it repaired. I am trying to determine if in fact the panel has too many circuits. The home was built in 1982, it has 200 amp service with a Bryant panel. The original inspection stickers are still on the panel from when the house was built and indicate that it passed all inspections. Excluding the main, the panel has space for 16 full-sized breakers. The panel has a combination of full-size and tandem (split) breakers. In the panel there are currently two double-pole breakers, five full size single-pole breaks, and seven tandem (twin single-pole) breakers. To me that totals up to 23 circuits. Based on the sticker on the panel, the panel allows for tandem breakers and appears to have a maximum of 32 circuits. I assume the circuits can be any combination of full size and tandem breakers as long as the total doesn't exceed 32. Based on this, I don't think the inspector is correct when he states that I have too many circuits. Is my thinking correct? Thank you for your time.