Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

Perrard

Member
I have a Square D homeline panel. I want to ad a 50amp GFCI onto the unit for a spa addition.
The homeline breakers are very hard to come by and while @ Home Depot I found the Siemens 50amp GFCI.
Looks very similar to the Homeline so I bought it. When I installed the breaker, seems to fit just fine, except it doesn't sit flush in the box. Sticks up about a 1/16".

I looked at the Siemens and Homeline and noticed a very small difference in the groves, the Homeline grove to the power connectors extended another 1/16-1/8" at about 1/16" depth.

Questions of the day, I have to problem placing the panel back in place. Beyond it sticking out just a tad, any other concerns I should have?
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

Perrard, call a local Electrical contractor, they will be able to supply a Homeline breaker with no problem and not burn your house down.

Roger
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

Perrard, this forum is for electrical professionals and Do-It-Yourself advice is prohibited by the forum rules.

That said, I will answer your question based on the presumption that no action on our part is as bad in this instance.

Breakers must be used in accordance with their listing. The proper Homeline breaker for your panel will grip the surface of the bus it plugs into far better than the Siemen breaker will. The increased heat from the poor connection could damage the breaker, and/or even case a fire.

I hope you have pulled a permit and someone is going to be inspecting your work. People are at their most vulnerable when immersed in water; water and electricity do not mix; and to compound this with an uninspected installation can easily result in the death or yourself, someone you love, or someone who purchases the house after you.

Please contact an electrical professional to look at your work, or complete the installation.
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

I'm not the best at quoteing from "Da Book" so I hope another more knowledgeable dude will continue this ... but ... bottom line -- Its not a "Homeline" so it shouldn't be there ... OP has the right Idea ... M :roll:

while I was writing this; 2 more replys were there ... Hope you're reading them ... m

[ January 29, 2006, 01:34 PM: Message edited by: mario ]
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

Of all the jobs a DIY might tackle, wiring a spa or pool is one place they need to stay away from.This is an area that even some of the best electricians can mess up.Whats at risk is a fire,burned up panel,electrocution of you ,your family,guest,.Your even risking some prison time for manslaughter should anyone die.Please seek at least help from a licensed electrician,pull a permit and don't use it till its passed inspection.And get that breaker out of there right now.It did not fit for a good reason,it does not belong in that panel.

[ January 29, 2006, 01:45 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

Well, so much for the ideal of hammering it in place... :)

What was odd, is that I was speaking to the "electician" at Home Depot and he indicated that the Siemens would/could be used for a Homeline.

Needless to say, I appreciate the feedback. I'll be returning it and go to a electrical contractor's supply house for the proper breaker.
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

Originally posted by Perrard:
What was odd, is that I was speaking to the "electician" at Home Depot and he indicated that the Siemens would/could be used for a Homeline.
Click to expand...
Not true at all. NEVER take the advice from DIY places. The rule of thumb is that the breaker must be from the same manufacturer as the panel.

If you are inent on doing this yourself, make sure you go to a Square D distributor.
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

"What was odd, is that I was speaking to the "electician" at Home Depot and he indicated that the Siemens would/could be used for a Homeline."


This is always good for some great laughs... :D :D
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

Originally posted by Perrard:

What was odd, is that I was speaking to the "electician" at Home Depot and he indicated that the Siemens would/could be used for a Homeline.
Click to expand...
While some of the staff/employees at Big Blue/Orange may actually be electricians (retired, disabled, etc)...I think you will find for the most part they are NOT electricians at all!
I had a friend who "was between jobs". He was not actually an electrician - but had some electrical background (signal maintainer of a RR). They put him in the plumbing dept. What sort of advice do you think he gave out?

Point is:
The big box stores hire people - not neccessarily tradesmen/women - to fill vacancies in their departments.
At one time, the big box stores did hire tradesman...but they seems to ONLY happen when the store is just opening.
Do NOT believe for even one second that you are actually speaking to an electrician in a big box store. An electrician will make much more money being an ELECTRICIAN than an "ASSOCIATE" (aka employee at Big Blue/Orange).
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

A few actually are good electricians that for what ever reason desire to work at big orange or blue.Problem is that unless your an electrician you won't know if they are.Your better off asking a customer that has a company t shirt on.I often give them some free advice if they ask.While its still a diy at least i might keep them from making a total mess.
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

have to add this ... because of an injury I had to "take off the tools" for a while. I worked for a small local supply house as a salesperson ... the "Boss" had only one concern: "sales" ... I was the only "Electrician" there ... I got into trouble a few times for giving "My Opinion" to a customer about proper materials he/she needed for a safe install ... I finally quit because of it ... the stress of selling to DIY'ers was too much ... they're right, the "Big Boxers" want to sell-sell-sell ... M
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

All of the really great tradesman in this country "Moonlight" at Home improvment stores.
My insurance Co requires a seperate endorsement for "Pools and Spas". Yet every weekend all over the usa H.O. with no formal training are slamming them in.

J.Lockard
EM, Md,Va,DC.
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

Originally posted by jimwalker:
Your better off asking a customer that has a company t shirt on.I often give them some free advice if they ask.
Click to expand...
"Can you use some electrician's advice?"

"Oh, are you an electrician?"

No, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night."
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

Originally posted by jimkaki:
All of the really great tradesman in this country "Moonlight" at Home improvment stores.
Click to expand...
What?

That statement really blindsided me. All of the really gread tradesmen that I know make enought that they can enjoy their moonlight time with their families.
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

Originally posted by mdshunk:
Originally posted by jimkaki:
All of the really great tradesman in this country "Moonlight" at Home improvment stores.
Click to expand...
What?

That statement really blindsided me. All of the really gread tradesmen that I know make enought that they can enjoy their moonlight time with their families.
Click to expand...
It's hard to "read" sarcasm...
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

Mdshunk-- Did you not know this? Just ask the guy at a blue or orange box store for advice and you will discover in short order that when he was pulling a wrench, balancing a hammer, or jerking the juice he was the greatest. Now with that in mind you go home and do everything he told you on your next project.

Best Wishes,
J. Lockard
 
Re: Siemens Breaker used in Sq. D Homeline?

This has gone far enough (indeed too far) for a DIY thread. I'm closing it. The best advice given in this thread is essentially not to go to the electrical supply house, but rather to send an electrician there on your behalf.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top