Funky breaker ?

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Dr Duke

Dr Duke

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North Dakota USA
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Sorry for the sideways pictures, but what is up with this breaker?
1. The sticker on the front says "no overcurrent protection". Can this just be used as a disconnect or what?
2. The side sticker shows that it has something to do with a 60a breaker, maybe?
3. It does say that it is a 240v on breaker. What the purpose of this versus some of the normal 2pole breakers saying 120/240v?

Can it only be used as a disconnect, up to 60a maybe? Idk

any info on the purpose or specific use of a breaker like this would be appreciated, thank you.
 
From what I was able to gather from the 'net

It is a straight rated molded case switch, meaning it can be used on a 240V delta (full or corner grounded) service or on the B phase of a 120/240V 3ph 4W high leg (B phase 208V to ground) delta.

Molded Case Switches As listed to UL 489
These switches are very similar to molded case thermal magnetic circuit
breakers except that they have no thermal overload protection. They may or
may not be equipped with a “magnetic” instantaneous trip as a self-protect
mechanism. They may be used on service equipment, panelboards,
switchboards, industrial control equipment, motor control centers, motor
branch circuits, etc. They are suitable for use as a motor circuit disconnect per
NEC® 430.109. They may be used as a motor controller (On-Off function) to
meet NEC® Article 430 Part VII, and as both a motor disconnecting means
and motor controller to meet NEC® 430.111.

http://www1.cooperbussmann.com/pdf/3efccb7c-36bf-443d-8283-b75678d244d8.pdf

https://www.amazon.com/QO200-Square-Breaker-Molded-Switch/dp/B00CON7H5C

"SWITCH ONLY, it does not give any short circuit or overload protection Square D QO200 Non Auto Trip Breaker 60 amp For Use With QO Load Centers, NQOD Panelboards/Interiors and Speed-D switchboard distribution panels Circuit Breaker Type Standard Number of Poles 2-Pole Voltage Rating 240VAC Marketing Trade Name QO Mounting Type Plug-On Short Circuit Current Rating 10kA Terminal Type Box Lugs Space Required 2 Wire Size #8 to #2 AWG(Al/Cu) Type QO Ampere Rating 60A Approvals UL Listed - CSA Certified"
 
ActionDave said:
Bingo! Those are usually sold in their own little metal box and are used for A/C units or other places you need a disconnect. They do not provide any overcurrent protection.
Click to expand...

They are listed as a separate item in Square D catalog, but in general you only find them already installed in an enclosure and marketed as AC disconnects. I do believe there is a 100 amp version as well.
 
SQ D makes/made them in a QOU (cable in-cable out) frame also, with the DIN rail mounting provisions on newer QOU breakers & MC switches makes them a pretty versatile design.
 
Thanks for all the answers guys. Figured it was just a disconnect, but wasn't sure. Found it in a hardware store in Faith, SD. It was sold as pictured, and mixed with all the other breakers.
 
Dr Duke said:
Thanks for all the answers guys. Figured it was just a disconnect, but wasn't sure. Found it in a hardware store in Faith, SD. It was sold as pictured, and mixed with all the other breakers.
Click to expand...
Damaged enclosure, or some other issue caused removal and they decided to put it on the shelf with the other "breakers". This switch is almost always sold installed in an enclosure and marketed as an AC disconnect.
 
ActionDave said:
Bingo! Those are usually sold in their own little metal box and are used for A/C units or other places you need a disconnect. They do not provide any overcurrent protection.
Click to expand...
I have seen them installed in industrial MCCs as the disconnect for the MCC...the ones I saw were 600 amp devices. There was a 600A OCPD at the supply end of the feeder and no need to spend the money for another 600A OCPD to be used as the MCC disconnect.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
I have seen them installed in industrial MCCs as the disconnect for the MCC...the ones I saw were 600 amp devices. There was a 600A OCPD at the supply end of the feeder and no need to spend the money for another 600A OCPD to be used as the MCC disconnect.
Click to expand...
Probably only saves (significant) money when purchasing all the gear on one order though. I bet if you went in and just bought a replacement switch you spend nearly the same on either the switch or the breaker, and chances are the breaker is more likely to be in stock then the switch so you end up going with that.
 
Or, if it was Lowes or Home Depot, someone bought the cheap NEMA 3R enclosure with that switch in it and a two pole breaker, then returned the switch saying it was the breaker to get their breaker money back. Maybe that's why the Home Depots around here have signs saying breakers are not returnable!:lol:

I have put breakers in those enclosures and it works OK. Probably violated all sorts of rules...:eek:
 
Funky breaker ?

kwired said:
Probably only saves (significant) money when purchasing all the gear on one order though. I bet if you went in and just bought a replacement switch you spend nearly the same on either the switch or the breaker, and chances are the breaker is more likely to be in stock then the switch so you end up going with that.
Click to expand...

A QO200TR, which is this switch and a 3R enclosure, is less than the cost of a QO260 breaker alone. I've never bought the switch separately but my guess is that it's half the cost of a breaker.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
brantmacga said:
A QO200TR, which is this switch and a 3R enclosure, is less than the cost of a QO260 breaker alone. I've never bought the switch separately but my guess is that it's half the cost of a breaker.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
If it were a high volume sales item, it very well might cost less then a breaker. But the way these are marketed - they are sold in (somewhat) high volume already installed in the enclosure.

Supply and demand applies here, though the supply is mostly dictated by how they want to market it. If there were more demand for the switch alone then that would change things.

Same reason why 4 foot fluorescent lamps cost less then an otherwise very similar lamp of lesser length.

Also shows to some extent they could probably reduce the cost of a QO breaker if they wanted to. If you ever buy a bunch of gear on a quote as a complete project, they do practically give those small breakers away compared to typical retail cost, smart thing to do with those kind of jobs is to add extras to the order to put into stock in the shop.
 
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