Sq D Homeline AFCI version

S

suemarkp

Senior Member
Location
Kent, WA
Occupation
Retired Engineer
Does anyone know how to tell what the "version" of a SquareD Homeline AFCI breaker is? Kids were complaining of a tripping AFCI which was installed new in 2008. I replaced it with a new one and it looks just like the original one -- same color button, combination type AFCI. There are no version marks on it that I can see. I can't believe they have not changed this at all in17 years.

Kids aren't electrically savvy, and I think it was probably tripping on overload because of a window AC unit and 3 computers. But the AFCI could be doing its job if they have frayed cords or damaged equipment. If the new ones trip I will start looking at that.
 
Not trying to hi jack your thread, but recently noticed one brand with parallel on 1 side of the test switch and series on the other side of the same test switch.
 
The date codes for QO and Homeline used to be on a paper label just above the load lug. But you would still need the secret decoder ring fir it to make sense.

You could try their FAQ pages.
 
ptonsparky said:
That was about the time the combinations started to be required. That’s all I know.
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IIRC the color of the reset button changed when they went to the combination type?

Here is how to determine date codes Older breakers had paper tag like Jim mentioned. Not sure when they changed, maybe somewhere about the turn of century, they started laser etching code on front face of the breaker. Code format has changed a couple times over the years.
 
ptonsparky said:
That was about the time the combinations started to be required. That’s all I know.
Click to expand...
Just looked it up and supposedly the older non combination AFCI had green or blue reset buttons and combination type were and still are white. Dual function is purple.

I think there may been some change that occurred before the combination type came out being the reason for green or blue to designate which version it was.
 
Perfect. I saw the etched numbers but didnt know how to decode them. Still doesnt tell me when they rolled firmware in an AFCI, but it certainly helps especially if Im keeping some in a box and want a newer or older one.
 
suemarkp said:
Perfect. I saw the etched numbers but didnt know how to decode them. Still doesnt tell me when they rolled firmware in an AFCI, but it certainly helps especially if Im keeping some in a box and want a newer or older one.
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Tried looking can't seem to find anything on Square D firmware other than it isn't changeable in the field and that possibly some changes occurred at the time of certain recalls. Kind of can't believe they haven't made some firmware changes to new product as time goes on though.
 
I have some here that are about 10 years old. Only one used to nuisance trip every once and a while when I started the microwave. The turntable broke in that microwave about 2 years ago, and I haven't had a nuisance trip since I bought the new one. I'll have to check and see what version I have
 
suemarkp said:
Does anyone know how to tell what the "version" of a SquareD Homeline AFCI breaker is? Kids were complaining of a tripping AFCI which was installed new in 2008. I replaced it with a new one and it looks just like the original one -- same color button, combination type AFCI. There are no version marks on it that I can see. I can't believe they have not changed this at all in17 years.

Kids aren't electrically savvy, and I think it was probably tripping on overload because of a window AC unit and 3 computers. But the AFCI could be doing its job if they have frayed cords or damaged equipment. If the new ones trip I will start looking at that.
Click to expand...
Next time it trips you can try to use the breakers diagnostic feature.

QO, QOB and HOM Arc Fault (CAFI) and Dual Function (DF) circuit breaker troubleshooting tips using Time Saver Diagnostics. | Schneider Electric USA

www.se.com www.se.com
 
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