Unusual Circuit Breaker

[pj424]

Does anyone know what this breaker is used for?

 

[winnie]

I'd like to see if the terminals were different for the two poles. If the '60A' leg has a terminal that can take larger wire than the '30A' leg, then what we see might be intentional. But I'm leaning toward 'oopsie' on the unmatched pole rating numbers.

 

[pj424]

It would help if we saw the configuration of the back, but the tan handle suggests that it could be a Cutler-Hammer classic circuit breaker.

Thank you for the reply. It is for a Cutler Hammer panel. I ordered a 2-pole 60 amp breaker and this is what they sent. It is a 2-pole breaker, but it has 30 amps on one pole and 60 on the other. The only use I can think of would be for something that needs 2 different 120 volt loads that would share a neutral. Something like a machine with two different size motors.

 

[jim dungar]

But I'm leaning toward 'oopsie' on the unmatched pole rating numbers.

I agree.
There may be an OEM that buys this breaker, but it should never have made it out to the general public.

 

[pj424]

Lugs

 

[winnie]

Yes, ooopsie. Send it back. Or keep it for the WTF value

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Lugs
View attachment 2581211

Those both have the same size lugs, so my guess is that the breakers are of the same rating, but one just has the wrong handle.

 

[hillbilly1]

Could be counterfeit.

 

[Electromatic]

MCA 30
MOCPD 60

 

[roger]

Well if one side is actually 30A and given the fact it's common trip it would never carry a 60 amp load period.

 

[retirede]

Well if one side is actually 30A and given the fact it's common trip it would never carry a 60 amp load period.

Unless it’s supplying two 120V loads, one on a 30A circuit and the other on a 60A. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 120V, 60A load.

 

[roger]

Unless it’s supplying two 120V loads, one on a 30A circuit and the other on a 60A. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 120V, 60A load.

In that case there's no reason for a two pole breaker.

 

[roger]

Here's another one, we found it in a remodel project once. It was really a 100 amp two pole with a factory mistake handle.

 

[Jraef]

I've seen these things posted several times over the years, most seem to be Eatons. It's a mistake.

 

[kwired]

I've seen these things posted several times over the years, most seem to be Eatons. It's a mistake.

Think I've seen some Siemens posted as well.

Won't see that with a QO breaker as they have a single handle and internal tie to the other pole(s)

 

[jim dungar]

Won't see that with a QO breaker as they have a single handle and internal tie to the other pole(s)

But 40 years ago I touched a 3 pole QO with 2 plug-on and 1 bolt-on connections. And, that was back when plug-on and bolt-on used different panels.