Best Molded Case Circuit Breaker Manufacturers?

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MWh_Pro

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Hello, I am hoping to get your advice regarding perceived quality of several molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) manufacturers: Eaton/Cutler Hammer, ABB, GE, Schneider/Square D and Siemens. The frame sizes and ratings I am looking to buy are all over the map: 20-1200A. These are to be used in various custom equipment assemblies, such as UL 508A industrial control panels. Regarding specifics, I am looking at fully-rated 480V CBs with interrupt rating ideally between 50-65 kAIC.

- Are there any MCCB brands you absolutely avoid?
- Have you had a particularly good experience with respect to performance and reliability of any one particular vendor?
- Which vendor do you believe is the best mix of features and price?

If you have other suggestions for manufacturers of UL 489 breakers, please feel free to share them.

Thank you!
 
MWh_Pro said:
Hello, I am hoping to get your advice regarding perceived quality of several molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) manufacturers: Eaton/Cutler Hammer, ABB, GE, Schneider/Square D and Siemens. The frame sizes and ratings I am looking to buy are all over the map: 20-1200A. These are to be used in various custom equipment assemblies, such as UL 508A industrial control panels. Regarding specifics, I am looking at fully-rated 480V CBs with interrupt rating ideally between 50-65 kAIC.

- Are there any MCCB brands you absolutely avoid?
- Have you had a particularly good experience with respect to performance and reliability of any one particular vendor?
- Which vendor do you believe is the best mix of features and price?

If you have other suggestions for manufacturers of UL 489 breakers, please feel free to share them.

Thank you!
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We mostly use Siemens as they are substantially less expensive for us.

We use other brands if someone spec's it, or there is some other reason to use it such as it has a series SCCR with a device that we are using such as a VFD or soft starter.

I have not noticed any substantial difference in features or quality among any of the name brands.

We use Siemens, Schneider, and AB mostly, with a smattering of other brands here and there.

The largest we use is 1600A I think.
 
I'm partial to the C-H/Eaton breakers probably because their origin can from Westinghouse. Westinghouse had some outstanding design engineers may of who I had the privilage to discuss application issues with. I got to know those products inside and out.
But, the fact remains that all MCCBs as well as their accessories must comply with UL489 regardless which levels the playing field. Then the person opinions and experiences take over such as being a ford or Chevy person. There are those who own fords and would never ever own a Chevy and visa versa. Does that make either person right or wrong?
 
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