Square D QO 2 pole 200A main breakers...All the same?

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newservice

Senior Member
Location
Syracuse NY
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Electrician extraordinaire
Had a customer call to say the poco told her her main breaker needs to be replaced. She told me it was a 200A square D but I couldn't get her to find much more than that on the panel. She had another electrician tell her they would come out in the morning and replace the breaker.
Only thing she could tell me was I think the cover number which was QOC 40U.
Too late to call my usual suppliers, so I thought Id ask here.
Question is would the QOM breakers they are selling now at the big box stores fit a panel that is probably a 20 space 200a panel from who knows when?
I just had problem believing the other electrician could replace the breaker on such an old panel. QO is one size fits all?? I told her to call the other guy because I couldn't guarantee I could replace just the breaker. Thanks.
 
newservice said:
Had a customer call to say the poco told her her main breaker needs to be replaced. She told me it was a 200A square D but I couldn't get her to find much more than that on the panel. She had another electrician tell her they would come out in the morning and replace the breaker.
Only thing she could tell me was I think the cover number which was QOC 40U.
Too late to call my usual suppliers, so I thought Id ask here.
Question is would the QOM breakers they are selling now at the big box stores fit a panel that is probably a 20 space 200a panel from who knows when?
I just had problem believing the other electrician could replace the breaker on such an old panel. QO is one size fits all?? Thanks.
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IIRC, if its a 150-200 amp homeline or QO and flips left to right then they are all the same. The older style that flips up and down is different. Hopefully someone will confirm this is correct.
 
I would have asked her to take a picture of the data label on the door and the main breaker and send it to me. Then I would try to discern the model number and look up which main breaker it uses. The physical appearance of the main breaker would also help answer your question.

Also: If this electrician is wrong and the main he brings does not fit, he will look like a fool and you will win! :D
 
Coppersmith said:
I would have asked her to take a picture of the data label on the door and the main breaker and send it to me. Then I would try to discern the model number and look up which main breaker it uses. The physical appearance of the main breaker would also help answer your question.

Also: If this electrician is wrong and the main he brings does not fit, he will look like a fool and you will win! :D
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She said the other electrician didn't even ask her what make the panel was. :eek:
 
electrofelon said:
IIRC, if its a 150-200 amp homeline or QO and flips left to right then they are all the same. The older style that flips up and down is different. Hopefully someone will confirm this is correct.
Click to expand...

Thinking you're right. By the way what is IIRC? a standard?
 
Jraef said:
IIRC = If I Remember Correctly
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DOH!! thanks. Yeah and she said the guy already gave her a price, 75 plus $250 for the breaker, sight unseen. Im picturing a burnt breaker lug, and a burnt and too short piece of 4/0 Al meaning replace the load side of the meter to the panel meaning poco work order and city permit and inspection. I can get the breaker for 85 but with all that Im at 500, and what if the meter socket is shabby or the entrance cable or ground and bond...
 
newservice said:
DOH!! thanks. Yeah and she said the guy already gave her a price, 75 plus $250 for the breaker, sight unseen. Im picturing a burnt breaker lug, and a burnt and too short piece of 4/0 Al meaning replace the load side of the meter to the panel meaning poco work order and city permit and inspection. I can get the breaker for 85 but with all that Im at 500, and what if the meter socket is shabby or the entrance cable or ground and bond...
Click to expand...

Pretty much seems like its going to require utility involvement due to cutting the seal which will mean permit and inspection......Unless (neither of these are recommended) do it hot, or cut seal and dont tell utility and hope the homeowner doesnt get questioned by the POCO down the line and have to deal with it.
 
electrofelon said:
Pretty much seems like its going to require utility involvement due to cutting the seal which will mean permit and inspection......Unless (neither of these are recommended) do it hot, or cut seal and dont tell utility and hope the homeowner doesnt get questioned by the POCO down the line and have to deal with it.
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Well yeah that's what Im saying. The wire is burnt and too short and 4/0 doesn't lend itself to much bending. Do it hot without cutting the seal, and run the risk of not being able to get it in there correctly, nevermind safely, and have to back out and start over, all for the price he already quoted. Then the inspector is going to want grounds, etc, everything it probably doesn't have but should have anyway. Walking away from this one. But the breaker being all the same was something I still would like to know.
I bet she calls me back. They always do. heh
 
electrofelon said:
IIRC, if its a 150-200 amp homeline or QO and flips left to right then they are all the same. The older style that flips up and down is different. Hopefully someone will confirm this is correct.
Click to expand...
Older panels with vertical motion to the switch were a Q2 series breaker, but you need proper suffix for said main breakers otherwise you get a Q2 with lugs on both ends instead of studs on the bus bar end.

Today the Q2 breakers are actually QBL type. I think you can still get a replacement for those older main breakers. Will probably be a special order or a Square D distributor may have some they keep in stock - may have to pull it from another store in some cases though.
 
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