Homeline breakers?

[Dragster Racer]

I need an education on Homeline breakers. Menards had in a Homeline bin, some slim, 2 pole (really double) breakers. They say type homt. Fine. I will save some box space and use some of these. Everything looks right. I go to put it in, and it won't seat all the way down. What the! I see what the difference is. The slot in the back is less deep than the normal single or double pole Homeline breakers. What the heck is this thing? And do they make a slim 220V breaker (two poles tied)? I'm feeling a little dumb on these now. We found the double slims for a friends Square D box yesterday. Worked great. Help!

[Aceman]

Not all panels will accept a twin(tandem breaker). A twin being a standard 1" width breaker with two handles. You need to read the specs on the inside of the door on your panel. If the cover says 12/24 20/40 30/40, you can use twin breakers. The first number is the amount of 1" spaces available in the panel. The second number is the total amount of circuits allowed. For an example I'll use a 30/40. That means it'll fit 30 full 1" space breakers for 30 circuits total OR the first 5 spaces(usually at the top)can accept tandem breakers allowing 2 circuits from each 1" breaker space. You have to visually look at the bus fingers to see where the twins will fit to be sure.

If your panel is straight rated at 12/12 24/24 40/40, etc it only has full spaces available, twins cannot be used. Remember, twin breakers only attach to one bus, you will not get 240v from a twin. Only 2-120v circuits.

Understand?

[Dragster Racer]

Wow! What a great explanation! Thanks a lot. I will check when I get out to the farm what the panel says on the inside of the door.

[mrb]

although you cant get 240v out of a tandem breaker since it only has one bus connection as Aceman said, there are Homeline 4 pole breakers that take up two spaces. They have a two pole breaker in the center and two single pole breakers on the outside edges. I just used one to power my air compressor since i was out of space in the panel.

[buening]

Not to state the obvious, but there are two types of breakers at menards. I initally brought home the wrong type and it wouldn't snap into my breaker box.

[mrb]

Not to state the obvious, but there are two types of breakers at menards. I initally brought home the wrong type and it wouldn't snap into my breaker box.

another thing worth mentioning is that while some mfgrs breakers may fit other mfgrs panels (such as putting a GE breaker in a Homeline panel) it is best to always match the proper breaker to the panel. Some of these other breakers will fit, but there is no ul listing for them to be used in a different panel.