

The red tab at the breaker above is a rated securing device, and it will only be visible with the dead front removed. One additional requirement for a backfed main breaker is that the “maximum amps per stab” does not exceed what the manufacturer allows. A stab is another name for a bus bar finger.

This maximum is listed in the data plate. If you backfeed a panel with a 100-amp service breaker, and the maximum allowed by the manufacturer is 125 amps per stab, then the max you can install on the other side of the stab is 20 amps. So, the things to verify when examining a backfeed panel are: To learn more, see our blog post What is a "bus stab" in an electric panel? This is why the slots opposite a backfeed main breaker are often blank.

See our blog post Why did my generator hookup get tagged as defective by the home inspector? for more.
