Do breakers "go bad" just sitting on the shelf

[g-and-h_electric]

I know that is kind of a "dumb" question, but I need a C/H 2p60 GFI breaker for a hot tub reinstall. (I cant find any from the TRUSTED sources (remember water and electricity here, and I want to be sure I'm not buying questionable parts))

I found a brand new one still in the box, never opened in my storage area (indoors but not really climate controlled). Any reason I should have doubts about using it?

Anyone have any thoughts?

And one last thing, the GFI is near the tub ( code approved distance away) fed with #6 THHN in conduit, any reason, I shouldn't upsize the breaker at the panel to a 70 ?


Thank you in advance.


Howard

 

[hbiss]

I found a brand new one still in the box, never opened in my storage area (indoors but not really climate controlled). Any reason I should have doubts about using it?

None. Your supply house probably has them sitting around too.

-Hal

 

[ptonsparky]

Push the Test after it's installed and charge out replacement value.

 

[jaggedben]

...

And one last thing, the GFI is near the tub ( code approved distance away) fed with #6 THHN in conduit, any reason, I shouldn't upsize the breaker at the panel to a 70 ?

This is okay as long as the terminals at both ends are marked for 75C conductors.

 

[kwired]

This is okay as long as the terminals at both ends are marked for 75C conductors.

Is ok with 60C conductors also as long as actual load is not over 55 amps.

 

[jaggedben]

Is ok with 60C conductors also as long as actual load is not over 55 amps.

Not with a 70A breaker like he said.

 

[kwired]

Not with a 70A breaker like he said.

Well true, at same time conductor size never came up in OP, but yes one could put 6 copper on a 70 amp breaker @ 75C if the load is no more than 65 amps, which is probably what you were getting at in post 4.

For some reason many think any OCPD upstream of another OCPD has to be a higher rating, but that is not the case.

In fact lets say your spa called for a 40 amp breaker, not that there is no such thing as a 40 amp GFCI but I'd probably put a 40 amp breaker in the main panel and get a spa disconnect package that is typically 50 amp GFCI in a 3R enclosure and the whole package is often less cost than a stand alone 50 amp breaker, and put that near the spa. It will still provide GFCI protection and still will serve as a disconnecting means at the spa location, doesn't matter at all what overcurrent protection level is since the one at the main panel provides this.