mstrlucky74
Senior Member
- Location
- NJ
Guys I really need your help here. Is this a switch that would go in a switchboard? It's only 30a
3P -30a bucket switch
- Thread starter mstrlucky74
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- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Since you have included the slang term "bucket" I would expect to find this in a switchboard.
mstrlucky74
Senior Member
- Location
- NJ
Yeah I believe it does.....but a 30 amp switch could go in a switchboard? DO you happen to have a pic? I have no catalog #. Do you have an example. Thanks soooo much.
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
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- Retired PV System Designer
You are the one with the switch and you want someone to send you a picture of it? I am clearly missing something here. :blink:
mstrlucky74
Senior Member
- Location
- NJ
It was just verbiage on a document.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Well gee whiz, I thought a bucket went in an MCC. Maybe it's one of those regional things like Dinner or Supper.
mstrlucky74
Senior Member
- Location
- NJ
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
That picture is of a twin-fusible switch, which mounts in a Square D QMB assembly, either a panelboard or a switchboard.
While I have heard, and probably used, the term 'bucket' to describe this unit, I would however, not consider it to be a standard industry descriptor.
While I have heard, and probably used, the term 'bucket' to describe this unit, I would however, not consider it to be a standard industry descriptor.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
A 30 amp unit is probably just a "pail", maybe even a "cup" 100-800 amp units are "buckets", larger than that they would be considered "drums"
Whether right or wrong, don't people commonly call them "buckets" in both switchboards and MCC's?
Isn't a MCC essentially a definite purpose switchboard?
NEC doesn't have a section specifically for MCC's.
Whether right or wrong, don't people commonly call them "buckets" in both switchboards and MCC's?
Isn't a MCC essentially a definite purpose switchboard?
NEC doesn't have a section specifically for MCC's.
Fairly standard terminology in these parts.
We call them bucket assemblies.
Engineers also use that terminology.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
That is fine and good, but the manufacturer of this particular QMB item, does not use the term 'bucket' in their normal literature.
I have also heard 'bucket' used for the devices mounted on plug-in busway, but again it is not an industry wide standard descriptor.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
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- Semi-retired engineer
A 30 amp unit is probably just a "pail", maybe even a "cup" 100-800 amp units are "buckets", larger than that they would be considered "drums"
Whether right or wrong, don't people commonly call them "buckets" in both switchboards and MCC's?
Isn't a MCC essentially a definite purpose switchboard?
NEC doesn't have a section specifically for MCC's.
Nope. But it does have part VIII of article 430 (430.92-430.98) that is dedicated to MCCs.
The OP didn't say it was a Square D term. He said it was verbiage in the bid documents, which I have seen engineers use.
Maybe he can elaborate more.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
The OP wanted to know if some 30A device, what ever it is called, could be mounted in a switchboard.
I responded that the specific device, you posted a picture of, was a 30A switch which could be mounted in a switchboard. I also included the additional information that the term 'bucket' was was not universally used by switchboard manufacturers.
Hmmm.....the name of the thread is "3p-30A bucket switch".....then he asked if this is something that would go in a switchboard, as it's only 30A.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Hmmm......does his 30 amp switch have the word "bucket" marked on it anyplace. It is more likely to contain the word "switchboard" on it someplace.
Pretty sure "bucket" is slang even if it is widely used.
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