Used FPE Breaker

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jim dungar said:
QO does not stand for Quick-open and never has (regardless what you see on Wiki-pedia).

The family series was QO, Q1, Q2, and Q4, which replaced previous families of breakers like XO, A1, MO and others.
Some QO breakers, in the 15A and 20A 1-pole size, do have a Qwik-Open (R) feature which provides for a 'faster trip' than standard QO breakers (I believe a low pickup point plays a role in this). I would have to check my old product data sheets, but I recall that the Qwic-Open was not part of the original product release.

The breaker test kit ran at 120VAC which is one reason is was discontinued. One version contained bus connections for breakers and a standard duplex receptacle. The demo was to insert a paper clip into the receptacle and then see what happened. A seond version included an air core inductor (about 250' of coiled #18AWG) which allowed for a sparking test. The test set instructions recommended that an extension cord always be used to limit the current so that the building branch breakers would not trip. This effectively prevented most breakers from entering their magnetic pickup points. Another trick we often used was to keep the competitors breakers cold, while ours were kept warmer.
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I could be misinformed. I will say I have not seen anything on this in Wikipedia either.

I do recall hearing that QO was named after the Quick-Open feature long before Wikipedia was around, can't recall exactly where I got this information but could swear it was from Square D literature of some sort or even at a trade show or similar product demonstration.


Do you have information on what QO stands for if that is not it, this has been what I have known almost my entire career, but like I said I could have been misinformed a long time ago and never found out any different.
 
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kwired said:
Do you have information on what QO stands for if that is not it, this has been what I have known almost my entire career, but like I said I could have been misinformed a long time ago and never found out any different.
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My data sheet, from 1967, says that 15 and 20A 1-pole breakers with the Qwik-Open (R) feature are calibrated for tripping (in one cycle or less) at 10X current rating.
My 1956 Digest, does not use the phrase Qwik-Open (R) when describing QO breakers, the first time I see it in print is the April 1958 edition (3 years after introduction). I have seen literature that uses both Quick-Open and Qwik-Open on the same graphic.
The QO load center family replaced XO and RO ones.
 
powerplay said:
For an A/C Unit above an Gas station I was considering using an used three pole 40amp FPE stabloc breaker... any comments on reliability of used breakers? Thanks in advance!
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I would never use a used/untested breaker. A little breaker like that costs more to properly test than to replace. There are new replacements available on the market but depending on the condition of the panel replacement or the CH retrofit may be the better option.
 
zog said:
I would never use a used/untested breaker. A little breaker like that costs more to properly test than to replace. There are new replacements available on the market but depending on the condition of the panel replacement or the CH retrofit may be the better option.
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We needed you!:D

I have to ask, how are the new FPE replacement breakers? Such as those made by UBI, ect? Do they still have the same issues?
 
zog said:
I would never use a used/untested breaker. A little breaker like that costs more to properly test than to replace. There are new replacements available on the market but depending on the condition of the panel replacement or the CH retrofit may be the better option.
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Many of those old panels were in narrower cabinets then today's standards, combine that with the high use of twins, thins or tandems that was popular and you easily get a pretty crowded panel, I don't think I would want to put in the CH retrofit on most any of those older small cabinet applications, just not enough space in the cabinet.

mbrooke said:
We needed you!:D

I have to ask, how are the new FPE replacement breakers? Such as those made by UBI, ect? Do they still have the same issues?
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If they do, we need to ask how is it they have a listed product? A "refurbished" breaker may have all kinds of issues as it may just be cleaned up a little and then resold as is. But a new replacement with a listing on it is supposed to meet the requirements of the listing.
 
mbrooke said:
We needed you!:D

I have to ask, how are the new FPE replacement breakers? Such as those made by UBI, ect? Do they still have the same issues?
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Been on vacation. I don't deal with residential breakers so can't say for sure but according to the website the UBI breakers are tested to UL489, not sure about listed but I would think they would be foolish to not have the proper testing and documentation.
 
FPE Circuit Breaker

FPE Circuit Breaker

powerplay said:
For an A/C Unit above an Gas station I was considering using an used three pole 40amp FPE stabloc breaker... any comments on reliability of used breakers? Thanks in advance!
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The problem dosen't end there can we trust new circuit breakers? There has been many recalls from many circuit breakers
manufacturers latest from Schneider Elect. Square D Models FA,FH,and FY one,two and three pole Breakers
that fail to trip. Recall date march 18,2013. Also not the nation has been flooded with counter fit circuit breakers from china.
I am a old school electrician in my time it was UNHEARD of going to a supply house and purchasing devices that were made out of the country. About 8 or ten years ago went to a supply house and purchased a box of 20 amp single pole breakers ITE I was shocked to see
made in Mexico. My overload relays tripped out someone found me passed out in the supply house parking lot and revived me.
Also note Ki two and three pole circuit breakers rated 110-250 amps also recalled. Good luck on you decision.
 
mbrooke said:
No link. Its a do it yourself. With PPE, Take an 15 or 20 amp FPE breaker run it through a QO. Short the wire. Qo trips fast. Then do the same thing minus the QO in series. Watch and learn. To those who aren't convinced they change their opinion quick:happyyes:
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Back at Texas A&M there was a story of an installing electrician who had ARC'd his initials on an enclosure when the job went in.
So apparently with the right wire FPE breakers alow for some welding practice and art work as well.
 
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