4 Pole Main
- Thread starter thais
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- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: 4 Pole Main
But now I notice that your topic title is ?4-Pole Main.? Are you saying that you have seen the main breaker, and seen that the neutral is connected at the breaker?
[ October 21, 2004, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: charlie b ]
You would have to tell us that. Look inside, and see where the neutral wire runs. I strongly suspect that it comes into the panel and goes directly to the ?neutral bar.? I do not think you will find a violation.
But now I notice that your topic title is ?4-Pole Main.? Are you saying that you have seen the main breaker, and seen that the neutral is connected at the breaker?
[ October 21, 2004, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: charlie b ]
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Re: 4 Pole Main
It is not uncommon to find large ampacity breakers that "look" like they are made up of individual breakers. Some examples are the Square D HOM2150BB which is a two pole breaker but it takes up 4 spaces, and their QOB3125VH which is a 3 pole that looks like (3) 2 pole breakers with a handle tie.
What is more confusing about your description is how it looks like only "4 poles" for a three phase panel. Also the 50A rating seems wierd in relation to the 125A bussing.
[ October 26, 2004, 03:43 PM: Message edited by: jim dungar ]
It is not uncommon to find large ampacity breakers that "look" like they are made up of individual breakers. Some examples are the Square D HOM2150BB which is a two pole breaker but it takes up 4 spaces, and their QOB3125VH which is a 3 pole that looks like (3) 2 pole breakers with a handle tie.
What is more confusing about your description is how it looks like only "4 poles" for a three phase panel. Also the 50A rating seems wierd in relation to the 125A bussing.
[ October 26, 2004, 03:43 PM: Message edited by: jim dungar ]
Re: 4 Pole Main
The panel is located in a school. It is a sub-panel that feeds a work/production area for teachers. Even though the panel is rated for 125A, the main breaker is only 50A. Maybe the breaker is a three pole and is taking up four spaces, but that seems unusual for a 50A breaker. If anyone would like to see the picture, I can email you privately.
The panel is located in a school. It is a sub-panel that feeds a work/production area for teachers. Even though the panel is rated for 125A, the main breaker is only 50A. Maybe the breaker is a three pole and is taking up four spaces, but that seems unusual for a 50A breaker. If anyone would like to see the picture, I can email you privately.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: 4 Pole Main
sure send the pic.
This sounds to me like they had a high leg in main panel and just used the other 2 phases to get 120 for some other needs
sure send the pic.
This sounds to me like they had a high leg in main panel and just used the other 2 phases to get 120 for some other needs
Re: 4 Pole Main
As a previous post stated often time multi pole breakers, usually 1" per pole size, are an assembly of 1 pole breakers. During assembly a common trip bar is inserted with the assembly so that when one pole calls for a trip all poles are tripped at the same time. A permanently attached handle tie is also used with the common trip bar such that all poles are opened simultaneously for manual operation.
The simple addition of an external handle tie does not qualify as a means for common trip and is a misapplication.
As a previous post stated often time multi pole breakers, usually 1" per pole size, are an assembly of 1 pole breakers. During assembly a common trip bar is inserted with the assembly so that when one pole calls for a trip all poles are tripped at the same time. A permanently attached handle tie is also used with the common trip bar such that all poles are opened simultaneously for manual operation.
The simple addition of an external handle tie does not qualify as a means for common trip and is a misapplication.
curt swartz
Senior Member
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: 4 Pole Main
Thais sent me the picture of the breaker and asked me to post it. Click on the image and a larger image will open.
Thais sent me the picture of the breaker and asked me to post it. Click on the image and a larger image will open.
luke warmwater
Senior Member
Re: 4 Pole Main
The panel label clearly shows that it is a 3phase panel.
I would suspect that there are 3 wires on the 4-pole breaker and the 4th pole is not being used.
The panel label clearly shows that it is a 3phase panel.
I would suspect that there are 3 wires on the 4-pole breaker and the 4th pole is not being used.
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