Tandem Breakers in Square D QO Load Center

Status
Not open for further replies.
Saturn_Europa

Saturn_Europa

Senior Member
Location
Fishing Industry
Occupation
Electrician Limited License NC, QMED Electrician
Does anyone know the difference between the QO2020C and the QOT2020CP tandem breakers? Both are listed for the QO panel boards. The QO2020C is twice as expensive.
 
One is CTL, one is non-CTL. The CTL version has the metal hook on the bottom that only works in QO load centers with the notch that will accept it.
 
peter d said:
One is CTL, one is non-CTL. The CTL version has the metal hook on the bottom that only works in QO load centers with the notch that will accept it.
Click to expand...


Thank you!

CTL "circuit limiting tandem" got it. Do all QO load centers have this notch in only certain locations? Or do only some QO have this notch?
 
They should be in any panel with a circuit quantity higher than the space quantity.

Example: "30 space, 40 circuit" means that 10 spaces will accept tandem breakers.
 
There was a time when we were restricted to 42 circuits per breaker panel. Today we have 40-80 breaker panels. That said, aside from the hook, is there any physical or internal difference between the CTL and the non-CTL version ? Is Sq-D justified in charging $40+ for the non-hook version versus the hook version ?
 
goldstar said:
There was a time when we were restricted to 42 circuits per breaker panel. Today we have 40-80 breaker panels. That said, aside from the hook, is there any physical or internal difference between the CTL and the non-CTL version ? Is Sq-D justified in charging $40+ for the non-hook version versus the hook version ?
Click to expand...
They are in a sense justified in that they sell fewer of the unlimited and the unlimited are "special" in what they can be used for. So lower manufacturing and sales volume, so higher overhead.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
goldstar said:
There was a time when we were restricted to 42 circuits per breaker panel. Today we have 40-80 breaker panels. That said, aside from the hook, is there any physical or internal difference between the CTL and the non-CTL version ? Is Sq-D justified in charging $40+ for the non-hook version versus the hook version ?
Click to expand...
At one time there probably was a difference internally, today maybe not?
 
It is a panel listing issue. The panel is only listed for x number of spaces and the product standard requires that there be something in the design of the panel and breakers to prevent installing more than that number of devices. Yes, you can get around that using a non-CTL breaker, however such use is a 110.3(B) violation if you are exceeding the number of poles that the panel has been listed for.
 
If you have a CTL load center, you will see small KO’s at the bottom of the breaker rail to knockout so it will accept the hook.

Also, there is a very small notch in the CTL breaker hook. You can put your side-cutters on that notch and give it a nice squeeze to make yourself a non-CTL tandem. At least that’s what I’ve heard


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
brantmacga said:
If you have a CTL load center, you will see small KO’s at the bottom of the breaker rail to knockout so it will accept the hook.

Also, there is a very small notch in the CTL breaker hook. You can put your side-cutters on that notch and give it a nice squeeze to make yourself a non-CTL tandem. At least that’s what I’ve heard
Click to expand...

What could you possibly be talking about? ;)
 
peter d said:
What could you possibly be talking about? ;)
Click to expand...

Just some wild hearsay

Also, I think I was wrong on the KO’s; I think only older QO loadcenters have a KO for the hook, and newer models will have a notch already cut.

Square D used to sell a special tool for getting that KO punched out. It’s kind of a pain really.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top