Jason,

Check this out

What is the difference between a 80% rated breaker and a 100% rated breaker? | Schneider Electric USA se.com

Mike Kelley

On May 5, 2026, at 3:43 PM, Jason Sogolow via groups.io <w6iee.73=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:



Thanks Scott!

Jason WA6BBQ

On Tue, May 5, 2026 at 15:39 <scottjohnson1@cox.net> wrote:

I have absolutely no problems on a 20A circuit.  Caveat:  My shack has a 100 A branch feeder panel, and the drop is only about 10’ from the panel. 

I personally think 30 A 120V circuits are a bad idea, as they can cause imbalance in a split-phase system if fully loaded.  They hearken back to the bad old days of the 110V service.

 

Scott W7SVJ

 

From: mrca-bounces@mailman.qth.net <mrca-bounces@mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Jason WA6BBQ via MRCA
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 2:58 PM
To: MMRCG@groups.io; MRCG-West@groups.io; mrca@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [MRCA] BC-610I on a 20A circuit?

 

I’ve always been under the impression that a BC-610 required a minimum of a 30A 120V circuit. 

 

At full power according to the manual, on 120V (original spec is 115V) comes to 16 2/3 A, just a tad past the 80% circuit loading “rule.” 

 

Sure, 30A would be vastly preferable, but I’m curious to hear of anyone’s successes running one on a 20A circuit/ 12GA wire. 

 

Something might rapidly move up in restoration priority! Or, it’s just a really bad idea? 

 

Thanks and 73,

Jason WA6BBQ

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