Quadplex Breaker

[Grouch]

What is the purpose of these breakers? I'm looking at a 120/208 volt, 3 phase, 4 wire panel with several of these:

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Siemens-Quadplex-One-Outer-20-Amp-Double-Pole-and-One-Inner-20-Amp-Double-Pole-Circuit-Breaker-Q22020CT2/202315475?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D27E-027_008_CIRCUIT_PROT-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-NA-Priority2024&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D27E-027_008_CIRCUIT_PROT-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-NA-Priority2024-20420576520--&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20420577051&gclid=CjwKCAiA3L_JBhAlEiwAlcWO55uxSjjjRRDjLyC_Bi5XyUMaEgUSyWyIAp-v2gH6WKJAqHkeTTqSFxoCHnEQAvD_BwE#overlay

 

[4-20mA]

I've never seen one in the wild yet myself.... but...

Googles say...

• Quad breakers provide two sets of common trip 2-pole breakers

​

What is a quad breaker used for?​

A quad breaker is used to save space in electrical panels by allowing the control of four individual circuits within a single unit. It occupies only two spaces in a load center, making it a space-saving solution for electrical installations. Quad breakers can be either common trip or independent trip, with the former allowing for simultaneous tripping of paired circuits when one detects a fault. This feature is particularly useful in scenarios where multiple circuits are used simultaneously, such as in a home with multiple appliances or devices that require different power settings.

Understanding the wiring of 2-Pole Quad Circuit Breakers

I only want to understand the concept, so you dont have to address if my panel accepts tandem breakers or a certain brand of breakers. I will also omit any reference to ground wires for clarity. ...

diy.stackexchange.com

 

[LarryFine]

What is the purpose of these breakers?

To provide more circuits than spaces allow for.

 

[infinity]

It allows 2-2 pole breakers in a 2-1" slots.

 

[Grouch]

I was wondering why the 2 outer breakers are paired, and the 2 inner ones are paired, but I just realized it's because of the phasing. if you pair two on one end of the quadplex, they will be on the same phase and you won't get 208 volts.

Do these breakers allow you to remove the bracket that pairs the breakers? So you can operate them as 4 individual circuits?

 

[infinity]

Do these breakers allow you to remove the bracket that pairs the breakers? So you can operate them as 4 individual circuits?

IMO that would violate the breaker listing. They're also common trip so if one of the poles trips it will trip the other.

 

[winnie]

The Siemens line has a couple of versions.

You can have 2 independent poles on a single 1" device.
You can have have 2 independent poles and a two pole common trip section (4 total poles, 2 common trip) on a 2" device
You can have 2 separate 2 pole common trip devices (4 total poles as 2 two pole common trip) on a 2" device.
I don't think you can get 4 independent poles on a 2" device, but you can just put 2 of the 1" devices together.

The handle ties do not provide the common trip, that is supposed to be internal.

 

[LarryFine]

Do these breakers allow you to remove the bracket that pairs the breakers? So you can operate them as 4 individual circuits?

No need; you can buy them that way, with or without the inner pair linked.

 

[Grouch]

Thanks guys.

 

[LarryFine]

It allows 2-2 pole breakers in a 2-1" slots.

Hadn't I just said that?

 

[Jraef]

I was wondering why the 2 outer breakers are paired, and the 2 inner ones are paired, but I just realized it's because of the phasing. if you pair two on one end of the quadplex, they will be on the same phase and you won't get 208 volts.

Do these breakers allow you to remove the bracket that pairs the breakers? So you can operate them as 4 individual circuits?

No. If you look closely, that specific one states that both pairs are shown as “Common Trip”, so they are each a true 2 pole breaker and the poles are internally linked.

You CAN get versions where none of them are linked, or only the inner pair are linked. Each version has a slightly different part number.

 

[JohnE]

I used the Eaton/ T&B/ Challenger version of these many times over the years, especially in the early 2000's when I was doing 5 - 10 Central AC add-ons a week. I didn't think these were obscure.