Circuit breaker question
- Thread starter protegeV
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dfiler2
Well-known member
Is the breaker the same brand as the box?
Honestly I'm not sure on the brands. The pamphlet that was left with the panel(it was installed by an electrician) just says homeline breakers. I didnt know different brands would fit differently.
I'll have to check in the morning since it's dark and I still dont have my lights installed....
you are trying to install it in the correct location? you need to have it so it hits both buss bars . will it fit if you move it 1 slot up or down?
It hits both bus bars no matter where I install it, but that plastic bar that the arrow points to prevents it from fully seating no matter where I install it.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
...and you are using a standard two-pole Square D homeline breaker?
Thanks for that post. Could be that I'm just a freaking idiot. The breaker says Eaton on it. I'm assuming that's the problem??
American Locomotive
Well-known member
That would be the problem. There are like 3 or 4 different breaker/panel brands, where the breakers are just just about the same size and format with nearly the same bus connection.
They're all so similar that it's easy to think they are fully interchangeable, but they're slightly different enough that there's a possibility of problems (fires) resulting if you interchange them. It seems that some panels (at least your Square D Homeline) are now implementing measures to prevent different brands of breakers from being inserted.
Thanks guys. The other 2 single breakers in the box currently are the correct square D type. I'm admittedly a n00b. I thought it was either QO or homeline. I didnt realize there were further subsets of homeline.
A trip to HD is in my future tomorrow morning. A breaker and some hydraulic fluid and my lift should be up and running tomorrow evening
A trip to HD is in my future tomorrow morning. A breaker and some hydraulic fluid and my lift should be up and running tomorrow evening
It's not a subset of homeline. The breaker you bought (Eaton) is a completely different brand. Sometimes different brands of breakers will "fit" but it's not always a good connection as you found out.
Oh ok. They all look the same to me, except the QO which has the big tabs on the bottom and no screw on top.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
Square-D is the manufacturer. QO and Homeline are different brands sold by Square-D. There are no "subsets" of Homeline.Thanks guys. The other 2 single breakers in the box currently are the correct square D type. I'm admittedly a n00b. I thought it was either QO or homeline. I didnt realize there were further subsets of homeline.
A trip to HD is in my future tomorrow morning. A breaker and some hydraulic fluid and my lift should be up and running tomorrow evening
Eaton is another manufacturer of circuit breakers and panels. A typical Eaton breaker you'd find at Home Depot or whatever would be an Eaton "BR" series breaker.
For whatever reason, the Square-D Homeline, Eaton BR and various other breakers from Siemens, GE, Challenger, Murrary, etc.. are nearly the exact same shape and size. I don't know why that is, but it leads to a lot of confusion. The breakers match so well that they often plug seemingly fine into other brand panels, even though they may not be compatible electrically.
I think it's a little ridiculous how similar every company's breakers are when they're not technically compatible.
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Thanks for the lesson. It is very much appreciated. I'm so used to working on cars where parts are much more specific and there arent numerous options that may or may not fit.
Your always better off using OEM breakers, that are UL listed for that panel, there are a lot of "will fit" breakers out there and some are UL classified to be used in competitive makes, but not all can be used. It does not apply to the OP's situation as panel & breakers are both available from the OEM manufacturer, but there are many that have changed names, ITE, Crouse-Hinds, manufacturers have gone out of business like Zinsco, FPE, UL classified are the only choice.
Jim greengo
Well-known member
As long as you use a home line 2p breaker you should be fine,sometimes 2p breakers are a little tough to seat on buss.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Segue - I found out the hard way that not all Square D QO load centers are compatible with all QO breakers. Older QO load centers (like from the 80s or maybe 90s) will not accept the newer tandems ! Luckily I found the correct part number and was able to find NOS in order to complete the wiring.
I know I probably should have installed a whole new load center but it really was not in the budget. My daughter's family moved out of that house within about 18 months.
I know I probably should have installed a whole new load center but it really was not in the budget. My daughter's family moved out of that house within about 18 months.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Having done hundreds of service calls for past employers, i can tell you that a majority of panels no longer had the panel labels still in the panel. They bake, become brittle and blow away bit by bit when the panels are opened over the years.
rarely would i find a panel with an intact label much less a label at all.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
The breaker panel or the lift?I got the correct breaker and everything is up and running. Just gotta fill her up with fluid and we'll be in business
The breaker panel or the lift?
I meant the lift, but I appreciate the smartass reply to my poorly worded post
I attached a pic of the lift for the hell of it. Hopefully I will have a pic of a vehicle on it in short order.
