Although double taps are a common defect, they is also easy to fix. There are several alternatives:
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1)Connect the two wires together to a third short piece of wire using a wire nut, then connect the other end of the new wire to the breaker. This is called a “pigtail,” and is by far the easiest remedy.
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2)Add another breaker in the panel, and connect one of the wires to the new breaker.
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3)If there is no space in the panel for an additional breaker, you can exchange the offending breaker for a “tandem,” basically two breakers that fit in the slot for one breaker. There are a number of restrictions on adding tandem breakers to a panel, and some panels are not rated to accept them. A licensed electrician can advise you as to whether your panel can accept tandem breakers—also called “half-high” or “duplex” breakers.
The two breakers below with the double red switches are examples of tandem breakers but, unfortunately, the top one also an example of two double taps.
Another type of double tap can occur at the service lugs (connection of the electric utility’s power to the panel, typically at the top). The lugs are not rated for multiple wire connections and there is also a second safety concern because any wiring connected at this point has no circuit breaker for overcurrent protection. The fix for a double tap at service lugs is to add a breaker in the panel. In the photo below, the thin black and red wires at the left and right lugs should be connected a 240-volt breaker rated for the wire size and the white wire at the center lug connected to the neutral bus.
While we hope you find this series of articles about home inspection helpful, they should not be considered an alternative to an actual home inspection by a local inspector. Also, construction standards vary in different parts of the country and it is possible that important issues related to your area may not be covered here.
©2015 - McGarry and Madsen Inspection.
