ON THE CARRIER 24ABB3/24ABC6 IT SAYS 25 AMP MAXIMUM. FOR THE MAIN PANEL DOUBLE POLE BREAKER WHAT SIZE CAN YOU USE? 20 amp or 30

If you're connected to a 240V source, a two-pole 40 amp circuit is required. If connected to a 208V source, a two pole 30 amp circuit is required.

But the limiting factor here will be the wire size. If installed with #10 copper wire, 30 amp will be maximum. If a #8 copper (or #6 aluminum) 40 amp is maximum. See the link below for details.


http://www.whirlpool.com/digitalassets/GBS307PRB/Dimension%20Guide_EN.pdf

In a traditional North American residential electrical panel (120/240 volt, single phase), installing a single width or single pole circuit breaker, you would expect to read 120 volts from the breaker terminal screw to either ground or neutral. A double width or double pole breaker would provide 120 volts from either of the breaker terminal screws to ground or neutral AND it will provide 240 volts BETWEEN the TWO breaker terminals.

A single-width circuit breaker case that contains two handles is NOT a two pole circuit breaker (these are called "tandem" or "1/2 size" breakers). This is because a single width breaker engages only one "line" in the panel. A double width breaker will engage 2 "lines" as a triple width breaker would engage 3 "lines" of a 3 phase panel. A single wide breaker can not physically engage more than 1 "line" so it will never be able to pass 240 volts.

You must install a double width / double pole breaker to safely supply a 240 volt circuit / device.

If you have (90) 50w lamps = 4500 watts total. Assuming a 120/240 panel, if you put 1/2 on one "side" of the panel and the other 1/2 on the other "side" of the panel, that would be 2250 watts on each half. The generator should be rated *at least* 125% of the load; 4500w x 1.25 = 5625W. Using a 4500W generator on this load will cause it to overheat and shorten its life as it is running at 100% of capacity all the time..

One half of the panel is 120V to neutral, and the other is 120V to neutral - or 240V between both circuit breaker terminals. Ohms law for DC circuits and purely resistive AC circuits says Volts x Amps = Watts; or Watts / Volts = Amps. So, 2250W / 120V = 18.75A on each pole of a 2 pole circuit breaker that feeds the sub panel. A #12 copper wire is rated for 20 amps; but as per National Electrical Code - must be de-rated to 80% of rating which means it is good up to 16 amps maximum. A #10 copper wire is rated for 30 amps, but it too must be derated to 80%, making it good for 24 amps maximum. So, if you are going to feed a sub panel supplying (90) 50watt lamps, you will need to run a #10/3 copper cable from a two pole 30 amp circuit breaker at the generator to a 120/240 volt "main lug only" sub panel rated for at least 30 amps.

Divide your load evenly across the sub panel - (4) 15 amps circuits via (2) two pole 15 amp circuit breakers on each "side" of the panel if you run (2) 14/3 cables out to the lights - or (4) single pole 15 amp circuit breakers if you run (4) 14/2 cables out to the lights. No circuit breaker terminal should have more than 23 lamps that means you have (2) w/ 22 lamps and (2) with 23 lamps. The circuit w/ 23 lamps will draw 23 lamps x 50w = 1150W. 1150W / 120V = 9.6A. The 22 lamp load will be 22 x 50w = 1100W. 110W / 120V = 9.2A. Which is well within the 12A maximum allowed (after derating as required by code) by a #14 copper wire rated for 15A.

Good luck!

1) Match wire and breaker:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Color-codewire.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/See-inside-main-breaker-box.html

2) 7000 watts divided by 240 volts = 29.1 amps.
30 amp breaker x 80% safe maximum = 24 amps.
This means you should use 8 gauge wire and 40 amp double pole breaker for 240volt

3) 7000 watts divided by 120 volt = 58.3 amps.
60 amp breaker x 80% safe maximum = 48 amps.
So use 70 amp breaker and #4 wire.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

A 30 amp circuit breaker or fuse is NOT a typical size used for the protection of convenience outlets & general lighting circuits, especially in a residential setting. In fact the National Electrical Code (NEC) prohibits anything larger than a 20 amp breaker to protect a #12 copper wire and and a 15 amp breaker to protect a #14 copper wire. These are the size wires used to supply nearly all outlet and lighting loads in a residence.

It's not clear to me from your question if this 30 amp breaker is a double pole type that is providing power to a second, smaller circuit breaker panel and these outlets are fed from it. This would be in line with what the NEC would allow and what I suspect is the situation. I'm only going to get into this a minimal amount as more information is needed for me to be able talk intelligently about it.

I would shut off the loads that are connected to the 30 amp breaker. If that is a panel, I would shut off all the circuit breakers in it, then turn onn the 30 amp breaker. If it trips, then there is a problem between the 30 amp breaker and the panel. You may have connected line cables to ground or neutral - and vice-versa.

Can you please explain in as much detail as possible what is connected to the 30 amp breaker? Is it a single pole (120 volts) or double pole (240 volts) circuit? What size wires are connect to the breaker terminal(s) What type of cable is connected to it? How many wires are in the cable assembly or pipes? What is the size of wires? If they feeds a second, smaller breaker panel, where do the wires terminate - into lugs on the top or bottom of the panel or terminals of a circuit breaker? What happened or changed to cause this circuit breaker to start tripping? Is this part of a new installation - and if so, was the wiring done by an electrician? Was the work inspected?

Please try to answer as many questions as possible. The more information you can provide will help me get you the best answer.

Not enough amps. Check your wire size and see if it's safe to up the size of your breaker without having to run new wires

Hi, if you mean main circuit breaker, look on the condenser unit outside and it will tell you on the data plate what the rated amperage is for the unit, minimum and maximum. This will tell you this size you should go with, very easy. It will tell you not to exceed so many amps for instance 35 amps maximum. Go with a double pole 30 to 35 amp breaker and at the disconnect box, the same with cartridge fuses if it has them. Please do not forget to rate me on this as I know you will be king. Please keep me posted and I will check in on you as I keep records on you and all of the people I have helped
Sincerely,
Shastalaker7
A/C, Heating, & Refrigeration Contractor.

You could get em here :
http://www.baybreakers.com/catalog/search.html

Why anyone would use a twin 2pole 30am breaker I'll never understand.
There is no way this size breaker could match up in quality to two full size 2-pole 30 amp breakers. If one wants to double up, do it with the 15-20 amp sizes.

To be very safe, turn OFF your Main circuit breaker prior to doing this. This IS really important! You asked how to hook up the breaker, so I'm going to assume you already installed this. The first wire that you'll want to land under a screw is your ground (green) wire. This wire should be where all your ground/green wires are. Next, you're going to bring your white (neutral) wire to the neutral bar.  You should see other white wire's terminated (attached under screws) there. Then, bring your colored (ie usually a black or red) wire and attach it to your circuit breaker. Make sure that you are using a #10 guage wire. This wire guage is rated for 30 amps. If you're using a 20 amp circuit breaker, then use a #12 guage wire. And a #14 guage wire for 15 amp circuit breaker. Using these wire guages satisfy all electrical requirements (codes). Now, leave the circuit breaker in the OFF position, and close up your panel. After closing it, then turn ON your Main circuit breaker. If everything is fine, great! Before you turn on your circuit breaker, make sure the switch, device, receptacle (unplugged), is OFF. Then go to your electric panel and turn ON the circuit breaker. If the breaker holds (doesn't trip), then try your switch, device, or receptacle to see if everything works. One last thing to remember is, if you're using a 30 amp circuit breaker, then the device on the other end should only draw up to 24 amps. Meaning, don't put a 30 amp cir. brkr. on a 20 amp recectacle, switch, or device. For a 20 amp cir. brkr., 16 amps is the maximum load you can put on this. I hope this helps you. Just read it through once, and then highlight the main parts of this and you should do fine. Good Luck, and feel free to contact me if you'd like further assistance. - Jim

There is loose connection somewhere.Might want to look at the wires coming to the panel.