What Does It Mean When My Home Inspection report says I have a Double Tap in my electrical panel?

If a double tap in your electrical panel was mentioned in your home inspection report, you're not alone — it’s one of the most common issues flagged during inspections. A double tap happens when two wires are landed under a single screw or lug inside the panel. Most breakers aren't designed to handle two wires at once, and this can cause serious safety risks.

One major issue is that only one wire might tighten properly under the screw, while the other stays loose. Loose connections create heat, and heat can lead to electrical fires.

Another common problem is wire size mismatch. Even if the connection is tight, one of the wires may be too small for the breaker's amperage. This can allow too much current to pass through a wire that's not rated for it — again creating a fire hazard.

In some cases, double taps happen under the main lugs of the panel where the power enters. This is a more complex issue and often requires replacing the panel or adding a subpanel to bring it up to code.

✅ The good news: If the double tap is on a breaker, we can often fix it by adding a new breaker (if space allows) or by safely combining the circuits with a pigtail connection and landing one wire under the screw.

If you’re wondering how to fix a double tapped breaker, or if you're looking for an electrician to correct it properly, Envision Electrical Solutions is here to help!

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