Handle Ties and Slash Rated Breakers

[Charles (in GA)]

A Mike Holt paper on the use of handle ties on single pole breakers.

Click here for a PDF download.

Charles

 

[404]

Thank you for the information.

 

[rlitman]

It is very well put, but I'll be damned if I'll ever use a handle tie.
The fact that in the event of an overload, the breakers can independently trip just seems idiotic to me. I'll stick with internally linked 2-pole breakers for this usage.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

A good and timely read...

 

[joel63]

Good to know, thanks.

 

[slow]

Is there ever an advantage to using them? I do not care about cost or availability for my own work, as I have all of the correct items needed before the job starts. It does drive me nuts that my main in 4 breakers tied together, vs the Square D QO main style.

Ryan

 

[rlitman]

Is there ever an advantage to using them? I do not care about cost or availability for my own work, as I have all of the correct items needed before the job starts. It does drive me nuts that my main in 4 breakers tied together, vs the Square D QO main style.

Ryan

Your main may look like four breakers tied together with just a handle tie, but I can assure you that it is also connected together internally, just like a QO breaker. If you buy pre-made multi-pole breakers, they are connected internally, not just at the handle, even if that is all you see.
The only difference is that the QO is missing a handle. It isn't any better in this regard.

 

[theoldwizard1]

It is very well put, but I'll be damned if I'll ever use a handle tie.
The fact that in the event of an overload, the breakers can independently trip just seems idiotic to me. I'll stick with internally linked 2-pole breakers for this usage.

For the cost and piece of mind, I would do the same !

 

[Spudland_Dave]

So in laymans terms...I'm kinda confused after reading it...even on a 120v MWBC like I have for my lighting...Should I remove the handle ties which I installed:

and install a "Factory" 2 pole breaker?

 

[itsunclebill]

Everybody's an electrician. The NEC allows handle tied breakers under certain circumstances, and if you follow the rules there shouldn't be any issues.

On a MWBC handle tied breakers are fine. The code requirement is only that the disconnect (in this case the breakers) has to turn off all circuits with a common neutral.

The reason is that if the neutral became disconnected while repairs were being done, and one circuit was still hot, the neutral would become a hot wire.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Everybody's an electrician. The NEC allows handle tied breakers under certain circumstances, and if you follow the rules there shouldn't be any issues.

On a MWBC handle tied breakers are fine. The code requirement is only that the disconnect (in this case the breakers) has to turn off all circuits with a common neutral.

The reason is that if the neutral became disconnected while repairs were being done, and one circuit was still hot, the neutral would become a hot wire.

Of course, handle ties are fairly hard to find now. I suppose the supply houses may still keep them. The box stores have eliminated them as it was slow moving stock.

You would spend more money installing two single pole breakers, and a handle tie, than you would if you simply bought a double pole breaker.