Adding a 15A breaker to PD5000 Power Distribution Panel

[dangerruss]

I am wanting to add a 15A breaker to my power distribution center. Anyone have an owner's/installation manual for the PD5000 by Progressive Dynamics, Inc?

Thanks,
Russ

[brokeboater]

SCClockDr wrote:
The screw between "CONV" & "MICRO" releases the cover panel exposing the AC wiring bay and breaker access.

Old thread but it's never too late to say thank you. Thank you, that was just the tidbit of info I was looking for.

[j-d]

I see SquareD above, but the photo shows the breakers as Cutler-Hammer. Our old IOTA power center uses them. I found C-H to be a familiar name but not as popular as others. I think Big Box (probably Home Depot, don't think I went to Lowe's) had a few C-H breakers. But when I needed a 30/20 to replace Main, I had to go to an electric supply place. Later found Amazon had some.

We had one blank space left and when I looked at the breakers, JAYCO had put two circuits on 15A side of one of the 15/15 breakers. By adding another 15/15 I could split that load into two circuits, and still do what I wanted to accomplish. Which was install an outlet right by the load center to plug a heater into in the winter to heat the bedroom. None of this improves the total capacity of our RV beyond 30A, but dividing the 15A loads up a little helps some.

[SCClockDr]

The screw between "CONV" & "MICRO" releases the cover panel exposing the AC wiring bay and breaker access.

The 4 perimeter screws retain the distribution panel in the faux paneling. The breaker can be added without removing the distribution box. If you are adding a circuit and need to bring in the new romex then the panel will need removal to push the new wire in.

[wa8yxm]

Progressive Dynamics uses common Square D type breakers. There are two ways to add a breaker.

If you have space left (Remove cover and check) you simply get a standard breaker and place the lower "hook" on the breaker over the bar and rotate it into place TURNED OFF please.

If you have no space left you pick up a half size double breaker (two independent breakers in one housing) and remove one of the breakers (turn off first) by rotating toward you (Top is wire end) and replacing with the double half width pair, Attach one wire to each screw.

Common home type Square D breakers, nothing special.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Unplug and make the INverter play possum before removing the panel. 🙂

[westend]

It appears that the left side of that load center has a removable face panel. I see a thumb indent in the plastic panel, a sign that it is pressed to remove it.

The process would be to remove the left side plastic panel, remove the plastic knockout cover above a vacant breaker space, install the new circuit breaker, attach circuit wiring to breaker, neutral bus, and ground connection. Test circuit. Replace plastic cover on left side of load center.

Good luck.

[time2roll]

Just remove the four visible screws to remove the top trim piece
Might be one more cover to remove to see all the 120v wires.

Then you just pop it in and attach the wire.
Btw NEC only allows 5 branch circuits on 30a panel.
Regardless mine has 7

[dangerruss]

Called Progressive Dynamics tech support that they were quite helpful. Remove the center screw and four outside screws and the plastic cover just snaps off.

Thanks all and thanks to tech support at Progressive Dynamics. 🙂

[DrewE]

If you really want a manual, you could try calling Progressive Dynamics and asking if they have one available. They're generally pretty decent on supporting their products, from what I've heard. Given that they don't have any such information on their web site (as they do for other products), it may be that there is no such manual.

As enblethen said, this is pretty straightforward and not really any different from putting an additional circuit in a normal residential subpanel. The only potential significant difficulty is figuring out what to do if you have no spaces left for the new breaker. I would be surprised if that's the case; it looks like you can put a total of five breakers (including the main), or up to nine branch circuits if twin breakers are used. That's a lot for a 30A setup.

[dangerruss]

Not exactly sure what you mean in step 2. Could you provide additional help on how to get the point where I can remove the breakers. I went to Lowe's and bought the exact same 15A breaker that are currently installed, two breakers in one housing.

Thanks all. I just do not want to break this plastic housing trying to get at these breakers.

Russ

[Old-Biscuit]

PD500 has room for 9 circuit breakers.....how many do you currently have?

[RoyB]

My WFCO 8900 series 120VAC Power Distribution Panel has five full size breaker slots in it. I like the main 30A Breaker to be full size and this then leaves me slots for eight half size breakers. You can also purchase dual breakers for a full size slot.

I got my breakers from LOWES Electrical department the same brand as the MAIN 30A breaker. Its probably a good idea to have the same manf for all of your breakers

Roy Ken

[enblethen]

What do you need to know/
Fairly easy to add breaker. 1) turn off power, 2) remove dead front from breakers, 3) disconnect and remove one breaker, 4) take that breaker to local hardware store and get you new breaker, 5) install removed breaker, 6) install new breaker.
I would suggest getting the small twin breakers. These breakers are the width of standard single pole breaker.

[1492]

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