half height breakers: Is it cheating to use tandem circuit breakers? - 02/28/12 02:58 AM
Confusion abounds over the use of tandem circuit breakers in panelboards, even among electricians and electrical inspectors.  Today I'll set  the record straight as to when tandem circuit breakers can be used.   This is an adaptation of an article I wrote for the ASHI Reporter, which was published in February of 2011.  
First, a quick definition.  A tandem circuit breaker is a double circuit breaker that takes up the space of a single circuit breaker on a panelboard. You'll also hear them called duplex, slimline, twin, half-height, half-inch, double and wafer breakers, depending on local customs. While a two-pole circuit … (21 comments)

half height breakers: Cheater Breakers - 08/17/10 07:00 AM
When an electric panel is filled with standard circuit breakers and more circuits need to be added, the solution is sometimes to install tandem breakers.  These circuit breakers allow for two circuits to be installed under one space, so they're often call cheaters.  A few other terms that I commonly hear are duplex, twinner, half-height, half inch, and double.
Is this really cheating? No.  This is a perfectly acceptable practice... but there are several rules that need to be followed to make the installation correct.  When these rules aren't followed, I suppose you could call it 'cheating'.   Today I'll share what … (15 comments)