God was with me !

[goldstar]

Here's the culpret :

 

[Fred B]

Wow, it looks normal, doesn't looked burned, corroded, or otherwise damaged. Yet that breaker "self reset"? Makes me rethink ever trusting breaker is "off". You contact Schneider about the failure? Would be interested in their reply.

 

[goldstar]

Wow, it looks normal, doesn't looked burned, corroded, or otherwise damaged. Yet that breaker "self reset"? Makes me rethink ever trusting breaker is "off". You contact Schneider about the failure? Would be interested in their reply.

Hi Fred, no I didn't contact Schneider. I'm not sure how old this breaker is or how long it's been installed. I'll make an attempt at contacting them but I don't expect much.

 

[hillbilly1]

I emphasize to my guys to always check, especially during Hurricane duty. I’ve had several that didn’t open or one blade stuck closed. Mostly bigger breakers, or fused switches. 400-2000 amp. Sitting in Louisiana right now waiting on the carnage.

 

[oldsparky52]

Thank you Goldstar for sharing this story. I never heard of a breaker turning back on by itself, and if I didn't see it here I would be dubious if someone else told me.

 

[goldstar]

I Sent an e-mail inquiry to Schneider tech support. They said they'll get back to me within 48 hours. If and when they respond I'l post their answer(s) here. Should I pack a lunch ???

 

[oldsparky52]

I Sent an e-mail inquiry to Schneider tech support. They said they'll get back to me within 48 hours. If and when they respond I'l post their answer(s) here. Should I pack a lunch ???

Just don't try to hold your breath.

 

[markebenson]

I had to relocate a main lug panel at a residence under renovation yesterday. When I got there the carpenters were installing siding and needed power. So, the first thing I did was to get them temp power out of the main disconnect outside. This house also had solar panels on the roof. I shut down the disconnect for the solar power and then opened the main breaker disconnect - it was a Sq. D 200A main breaker. I know it's dangerous and I had to work on the line side LIVE. I pulled the handle down and shut the main breaker off (I thought). While I was loosening one of the the lugs on the line side, the breaker handle snapped back on. I tried several times to get the handle to stay in the off position and finally succeeded. After getting a temp power receptacle installed I was about to go inside and relocate the panel but then I said to myself "I'm not going to take a chance that the breaker may snap back on" so, I disconnected the load side SER cable inside the disconnect.

I then went inside and relocated the main lug panel after which I went outside to re-connect the SER cable. While I was tightening the lugs on the load side with my Allen wrench my left arm hit the side of the meter pan and I got a jolt. I started thinking, why am I getting hit ? Is the solar back-feeding ? No, that's not possible - the disconnect was shut off and the inside wiring was disconnected. It turned out that the main breaker NEVER shut off. Yes, God was with me yesterday and I am thankful. I would have tested the wiring in the main lug panel for voltage anyway before removing the SER cable but, I didn't want to take a chance that the switch might snap back on unexpectedly. My instincts were correct.

I'm sure we all try to be as safe as possible in our trade, but occasionally we let our guard down. Let this be a lesson to all, think about what you're doing every minute you're out there doing work, especially if you're working live - no matter what the voltage is.

Thank you for the post. One thing i have leaned is never assume. Lock disconnects, put up do not turn on signs. Andthing you can. People are alwars turning stuff back on they have no business touching.

 

[SSDriver]

I had a similar issue with that same type SQD breaker a few years a go on multiple breakers. If i turned it off with normal force it would go to off but not snap/click and then turn back on or look off and still be on. To get it to stay off i had to turn it off with force and added speed and hear it snap off. It would then stay off. Results were repeatable every time. When it would shut off the spring pressure would be released.

 

[goldstar]

Well, here's the question I asked of Schneider :

HI, I have a Sq D 200A main breaker disconnect (QB200 - QBL22200) that either will not shut off or snaps back on unexpectedly. Existing installation - not sure how old the installation is. Is it replaceable or can it be reconditioned ?

Here's the answer I got

Good Day! Thank you for contacting Square D by Schneider Electric! The QBL22200 breaker cannot be reconditioned. If you've already exerted enough force to turn off this breaker and still having problem with its mechanism/handle, consider replacing the breaker. Best Regards,

Didn't I know that already ? Maybe I didn't ask the right question.

 

[ptonsparky]

Well, here's the question I asked of Schneider :

HI, I have a Sq D 200A main breaker disconnect (QB200 - QBL22200) that either will not shut off or snaps back on unexpectedly. Existing installation - not sure how old the installation is. Is it replaceable or can it be reconditioned ?

Here's the answer I got

Good Day! Thank you for contacting Square D by Schneider Electric! The QBL22200 breaker cannot be reconditioned. If you've already exerted enough force to turn off this breaker and still having problem with its mechanism/handle, consider replacing the breaker. Best Regards,

Didn't I know that already ? Maybe I didn't ask the right question.

I think they answered the question you asked. What else were you wanting to know?

 

[goldstar]

I think they answered the question you asked. What else were you wanting to know?

Actually, I didn't expect more than that. I just got the impression that they wanted to end the conversation as quickly as possible. Kind of like insurance companies who have no problem taking as much of your $$$ as they can but the minute you file a claim they look for excuses not to pay you.

But, you're right - asked and answered.

 

[jim dungar]

Did you tell them you wanted an inspection report on the breaker?
I believe you would ask to have a Customer Complaint form. They treat these forms seriously.

Simply saying you have a defective product or a warranty issue doesn't get the problem elevated past the person your are dealing with.

 

[goldstar]

Did you tell them you wanted an inspection report on the breaker?
I believe you would ask to have a Customer Complaint form. They treat these forms seriously.

Simply saying you have a defective product or a warranty issue doesn't get the problem elevated past the person your are dealing with.

Thanks. Good advice but I don't think I'm going to pursue this any further. I have no idea how old this breaker is, how long it's been out in the elements or how many times it's been operated. I have to relocate the SE cable anyway so I might as well charge the HO to replace the breaker. At this point a couple of hundred $$ isn't going to make a difference.

 

[jim dungar]

Thanks. Good advice but I don't think I'm going to pursue this any further. I have no idea how old this breaker is, how long it's been out in the elements or how many times it's been operated. I have to relocate the SE cable anyway so I might as well charge the HO to replace the breaker. At this point a couple of hundred $$ isn't going to make a difference.

Sounds like a plan.

I think those breakers have a small Push to Trip button that physically operates the trip mechanism. These are good to use to exercise the complete mechanism because the on-off handle is not tied directly tied to it. Breakers should be turned off and on at least every couple of years to redistribute grease and reduce the chance of them sticking.