Eaton and Non-CTL Circuit Breakers

[kwired]

This whole thing is definitely really odd. I mean what the heck are they thinking putting a product with that kind of ambiguity out there. I agree that BR panels are barely better than garbage. The cabinets are not painted, the bus assembly is super flimsy....Also BR might be the only single phase panel left that is available with only 10k AIC mains in 150-200 amp (didnt check GE, but SQ D and siemens are all 22k).

Cabinets are galvanized and don't need painted.

Aren't they using the same main breakers they install in the CH series?

 

[electrofelon]

Cabinets are galvanized and don't need painted.

Thanks, I had no idea

Aren't they using the same main breakers they install in the CH series?

Yes the CSR series. However my recollection was that the BR series was also available with a 10k main, but maybe they have changed it and only offer the CSR in 150-225 Amp.

 

[infinity]

Received this response today from Eaton, (BRP is referencing the panel in this thread):

Non-CTL doesn't have the rejection clip and would be compatible with the BRP. The CTL type breaker require the bussing to be notched and are not compatible with any of the BRP loadcenters.

I asked for documentation which they did not provided. All in all a poor response.

 

[hillbilly1]

Cabinets are galvanized and don't need painted.

Aren't they using the same main breakers they install in the CH series?

The CH series are decent panels, breaker trip response much like Square D QO, just doesn’t have the trip indicator. The BR series came out as a cheaper alternative to be competitive with GE and others and are of Westinghouse design.

 

[LarryFine]

The BR series came out as a cheaper alternative to be competitive with GE and others and are of Westinghouse design.

And they're available in three-phase versions.

 

[norcal]

The CH series are decent panels, breaker trip response much like Square D QO, just doesn’t have the trip indicator. The BR series came out as a cheaper alternative to be competitive with GE and others and are of Westinghouse design.

Eaton has added their version of SQ D's Visi Trip to the CH breakers, patent must have expired.

 

[suemarkp]

Yep, it is the CHF (F must be for trip flag). I was also not impressed with Eaton customer support. I received an email response from the same person in a different thread. She didn't know a bus bolt from a nut. Was trying to buy replacement bolts, but kept giving me the keep nut part number.

 

[hillbilly1]

And they're available in three-phase versions.

I have seen CHB three phase, grey handle if I remember correctly, but not often. One was the year NEC-code had the breakers non-removable (yeah, that was a good idea, LOL!)

 

[norcal]

I have seen CHB three phase, grey handle if I remember correctly, but not often. One was the year NEC-code had the breakers non-removable (yeah, that was a good idea, LOL!)

CHB is bolt on, CHP is gray handled plug in w/ trip in the intermediate position, as the CH breakers handles go to off when they trip.

 

[kwired]

The CH series are decent panels, breaker trip response much like Square D QO, just doesn’t have the trip indicator. The BR series came out as a cheaper alternative to be competitive with GE and others and are of Westinghouse design.

Eaton didn't come out with the BR series they acquired the entire line from Westinghouse. They have since acquiring the line made some changes such as utilizing same ground and neutral bar types as they use in the CH line, use of same/similar main breakers as the CH line, and more recently I think they even have added plug on neutral versions for GFCI/AFCI's but the bus/breaker connection features pretty much remain similar enough that old and new breakers and panel bus are still interchangeable.

 

[hillbilly1]

Eaton didn't come out with the BR series they acquired the entire line from Westinghouse. They have since acquiring the line made some changes such as utilizing same ground and neutral bar types as they use in the CH line, use of same/similar main breakers as the CH line, and more recently I think they even have added plug on neutral versions for GFCI/AFCI's but the bus/breaker connection features pretty much remain similar enough that old and new breakers and panel bus are still interchangeable.

Sorry, I didn’t make that clear, yes, Eaton bought the Westinghouse line..

 

[norcal]

The BR line was originally Bryant, the residential/ light commercial line of Westinghouse, later rebranded as Westinghouse & combined with Challenger which Westinghouse also owned, which is part of the reason I call them "Zinsco II".