screws for a breaker
- Thread starter jbwhite
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Re: screws for a breaker
If memory serves me correctly - and this is a QOB/NQOD type - the screw/bolt has a 5/16 head and a 10/24 (?) thread, about 3/4" long.
You're not going to want to use a sheet metal screw...tapping that thread will be a PITA on a bus (among other things).
If memory serves me correctly - and this is a QOB/NQOD type - the screw/bolt has a 5/16 head and a 10/24 (?) thread, about 3/4" long.
hardworkingstiff
Senior Member
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- Wilmington, NC
Re: screws for a breaker
They also have a locking washer. Man, if you get it a touch too long, kaboom!
They also have a locking washer. Man, if you get it a touch too long, kaboom!
macmikeman
Senior Member
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- Planet macmikeman
Re: screws for a breaker
That statement ought to be in Bold letters.
Re: screws for a breaker
What concerns me about replying to questions that are posted is that answers are provided with very little input from the original poster, i.e.the manufacturer of the panel and type. Is the panel new or used?
If you purchase it new? Then it's a shortage.
Did you call the supplier and what was their answer?
Or is it used? Then you got what you payed for.
One respondent took a "guess" that the panel was a SqD and provided some excellent links, that is assuming that it is a Sqd panel. But is it a GE, C-H, ITE, or? Others gave some excellent reason why not to mess with and use "off the shelf" common fasteners.
Often a manufacture will use a self tapping screw. Remember that the manufacture has received its UL listing with a specific list of breakers installed using specific mounting hardware. If one starts to mess with the screws for the bus then how could the panel ever comply with the UL listing?
There is another item that is often overlooked. Now we should agree that if it is a 'bolt on' type panel, a "NEW" panel as supplied from the manufacturer will be supplied with screws to mount the breakers line connections to the panel bus. BUT ALSO you must have a "breaker mounting kit" which usually includes normally (2) longer screws to fasten the breaker to the mounding rails. This kit usually has to be order as an accessory with the breaker. However, even though these screws are required, they are often common off the shelf screws. It is easier to get them from the manufacture but if you elect to supply them make sure that they are the correct length, have a suitable head, and add and washers that may be required.
Some larger breakers may also require brackets for the load end.
What concerns me about replying to questions that are posted is that answers are provided with very little input from the original poster, i.e.the manufacturer of the panel and type. Is the panel new or used?
Who is the manufacturer of the panel?
If you purchase it new? Then it's a shortage.
Did you call the supplier and what was their answer?
Or is it used? Then you got what you payed for.
One respondent took a "guess" that the panel was a SqD and provided some excellent links, that is assuming that it is a Sqd panel. But is it a GE, C-H, ITE, or? Others gave some excellent reason why not to mess with and use "off the shelf" common fasteners.
Often a manufacture will use a self tapping screw. Remember that the manufacture has received its UL listing with a specific list of breakers installed using specific mounting hardware. If one starts to mess with the screws for the bus then how could the panel ever comply with the UL listing?
There is another item that is often overlooked. Now we should agree that if it is a 'bolt on' type panel, a "NEW" panel as supplied from the manufacturer will be supplied with screws to mount the breakers line connections to the panel bus. BUT ALSO you must have a "breaker mounting kit" which usually includes normally (2) longer screws to fasten the breaker to the mounding rails. This kit usually has to be order as an accessory with the breaker. However, even though these screws are required, they are often common off the shelf screws. It is easier to get them from the manufacture but if you elect to supply them make sure that they are the correct length, have a suitable head, and add and washers that may be required.
Some larger breakers may also require brackets for the load end.
Re: screws for a breaker
Having followed jb's postings for some time now, I took an educated guess at what he needed. It would appear that I provided jb with satisfactory response and references.
I do understand your position temp, although I do not believe your concerns are warranted.
I would be more concerned with what an "installer" is, as opposed to what an electrical contractor has told an electrcian (with supplimental references).
Have a nice day.
Having followed jb's postings for some time now, I took an educated guess at what he needed. It would appear that I provided jb with satisfactory response and references.
I do understand your position temp, although I do not believe your concerns are warranted.
I would be more concerned with what an "installer" is, as opposed to what an electrical contractor has told an electrcian (with supplimental references).
Have a nice day.
Re: screws for a breaker
I appreciate everyones concerns here. They are all warrented.
I am still new to this forum, and I appreciate the "look outs"
I was a licenced journeyman in PA, it has expired.
I am currently a licenced master unlimited in NC.
I still do not know everything.
Rather than wait for screws to be sent, I wanted to use ones off my truck. But I wanted to be sure that there would be no problem with them.
I decided to ask the question here.
Thanks all for being cautious and caring. I appreciate the help.
I appreciate everyones concerns here. They are all warrented.
I am still new to this forum, and I appreciate the "look outs"
I was a licenced journeyman in PA, it has expired.
I am currently a licenced master unlimited in NC.
I still do not know everything.
Rather than wait for screws to be sent, I wanted to use ones off my truck. But I wanted to be sure that there would be no problem with them.
I decided to ask the question here.
Thanks all for being cautious and caring. I appreciate the help.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: screws for a breaker
Don
Yes there is a problem. The screws you have may not be a close enough match to the originals to do the job. Many of the common screws that are available are of poor quality and the OD is often undersized and the threads cut too deeply. The use of a screw of this type may result in failure. The screw, in this case, is a critical part of the assembly, and the use of any other screw would be a violation of 110.3(B). The liability for any future failure would be on the contractor that installed in the non-standard screw. In the worst case, the failure of this screw could result in a death, and the contractor/installer could be charged with manslaughter.
Don
Re: screws for a breaker
jbwhite,
It wasn't my intent to be offensive or disrespectful in anyway but just to make sure that the answer that was given was correct in its entirety and that you can solve your predicament.
I have supplied panelboards, and switchboards, panelboard chassis, front connectied, rear connected, bus connectors, mounting hardware, and all of theother related components.From my experience I have addressed many application questions and you wouldn't believe how many times the caller asked a question in a way to lead me to give them the answer which they wanted to hear. When I suspect that there is more to the story I ask a few more questions.
There have been times that, if I would have answered a question based upon the information first provided to me, my answer would have been actually been incorrect. Often there is more to the story than I've been told. And trying to pry the information out is like pulling teeth. I just don't like shooting from the hip.
Don has made a very good point and that's also my concern. Yes, you could use substitute hardware and most likely there may never be a problem with doing it. But then again, is it worth the risk and the liability if there was a massive melt down because of it.
Dave
jbwhite,
It wasn't my intent to be offensive or disrespectful in anyway but just to make sure that the answer that was given was correct in its entirety and that you can solve your predicament.
I have supplied panelboards, and switchboards, panelboard chassis, front connectied, rear connected, bus connectors, mounting hardware, and all of theother related components.From my experience I have addressed many application questions and you wouldn't believe how many times the caller asked a question in a way to lead me to give them the answer which they wanted to hear. When I suspect that there is more to the story I ask a few more questions.
There have been times that, if I would have answered a question based upon the information first provided to me, my answer would have been actually been incorrect. Often there is more to the story than I've been told. And trying to pry the information out is like pulling teeth. I just don't like shooting from the hip.
Don has made a very good point and that's also my concern. Yes, you could use substitute hardware and most likely there may never be a problem with doing it. But then again, is it worth the risk and the liability if there was a massive melt down because of it.
Dave
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