Surface Mounted Circuit Breakers Enclosures

[fraymond]

I have an industrial application that requires two each 480V 20A 3 phase circuit breakers. I would like to mount the CB's inside an enclosure and have the cover/door milled out to access the CB lever. Or I would like to purchase an off the shelf enclosure that will do the same thing. Any thoughts please...:?

 

[steve66]

Maybe I'm missing something, but that sounds a lot like a panelboard.

 

[fraymond]

Maybe I'm missing something, but that sounds a lot like a panelboard.

Thanks for responding... It is a custom panel board/load center. The problem is I do not have the real estate for a 480V 3 phase 18+ circuit load center hence the reason for the question. I only need two breakers.

 

[petersonra]

most times you can get a handle that goes through the door and can operate the CB. A much simpler solution.

square D makes breakers that have a way to attach them to the door around the cutout if you want to try that. I think the cutout will look ugly unless you get it lasered or cut by a water jet. I think they refer to it as unit mount but it is hard to find any information on it.

 

[fraymond]

Thanks Bob. I will look into that!

 

[curt swartz]

Square D and most other manufactures make enclosures for single circuit breakers. Have you looked at any of them to see if they would work for your application?

 

[Jraef]

Square D and most other manufactures make enclosures for single circuit breakers. Have you looked at any of them to see if they would work for your application?

Correct, simply look for an "enclosed circuit breaker", it's exactly what you are describing.

Assuming UL: listing is not a concern, another issue you may find challenging with a "roll your own" solution is that you likely will need to provide a means for locking the circuit breaker in the Open state. A factory built enclosed circuit breaker will have that, as will the through-door handle option Bob mentioned above.

 

[fraymond]

I appreciate the responses. Unfortunately the 'enclosed' circuit breaker is for one breaker. I am looking into the rotary handle style circuit breakers and see if I have room for two enclosures side by side.

 

[petersonra]

Correct, simply look for an "enclosed circuit breaker", it's exactly what you are describing.

Assuming UL: listing is not a concern, another issue you may find challenging with a "roll your own" solution is that you likely will need to provide a means for locking the circuit breaker in the Open state. A factory built enclosed circuit breaker will have that, as will the through-door handle option Bob mentioned above.

presumably if you follow the rules from the manufacturer the listing would not be an issue. you can get lockout devices that attach to the breaker from the manufacturer. i use them pretty regularly.

 

[petersonra]

I found a diagram that shows some Schneider circuit breakers that are able to be mounted through a hole cut in a door of a cabinet.

 

[fraymond]

Thank you Bob for going out of your way. This is very helpful! Thank you again :thumbsup:

 

[kwired]

I found a diagram that shows some Schneider circuit breakers that are able to be mounted through a hole cut in a door of a cabinet.

There are other breakers of similar frame design that that should work for as well. They are not suggesting any kind of kit or anything to mount it that way, in fact the mounting screws that come with those breakers are not long enough to use like that unless there is a recessed mounting hole on the backside as well - I should get a chance to look at one of those style breakers later today will have to check that out.

 

[fraymond]

Thanks kwired

 

[JRE]

In my opinion, the best way to do this is to have the breakers in a separate external enclosure designrf for breakers (one arm bandit or panel board). Then bring the feed from the breakers into the enclosure. This also makes it safer to work on with the breakers open.

 

[fraymond]

Thanks JRE for the response. Your solution was considered however I ran into that old problem of available real estate.

 

[kwired]

In my opinion, the best way to do this is to have the breakers in a separate external enclosure designrf for breakers (one arm bandit or panel board). Then bring the feed from the breakers into the enclosure. This also makes it safer to work on with the breakers open.

Thanks JRE for the response. Your solution was considered however I ran into that old problem of available real estate.

And if they are on a common supply anyway it would be nice to just have it all in one enclosure, if you are avoiding having exposed live components on the supply side they will both be shut off anyway in those situations.

 

[kwired]

There are other breakers of similar frame design that that should work for as well. They are not suggesting any kind of kit or anything to mount it that way, in fact the mounting screws that come with those breakers are not long enough to use like that unless there is a recessed mounting hole on the backside as well - I should get a chance to look at one of those style breakers later today will have to check that out.

Had a FAL frame breaker in my hand earlier, the hole for mounting screws is recessed further on the back side then the front side.

Mounting screws that come with the breaker only stick about 1/4 inch out the back side when inserted from the front.
Insert them from the back side and they stick about an inch out the front.

 

[fraymond]

Longer screws are a piece of cake!