Why aren't smart circuit breakers compatible with popular load centers?!

[kgjecn]

Hi all,

I've been looking into EATON's smart circuit breakers such as the BR & BAB series but noticed that they require type BR & PRL3X loadcenters, respectively. I'm not an electrician so I don't know how popular BR/PRL3X loadcenters are. I can't help but notice that EATON also makes Classified Circuit Breakers (for loadcenter of type CH) that are interchangeable with GE/Square D/other brands of breakers.

So I would assume that most homes currently have (or are compatible with) type CH loadcenters. So WHY is EATON creating a breaker that requires one to install a whole new panel?!

Sure, they may be able to sell more panels that way. However, it seems to me that markets are generally reluctant to do panel replacements/full upgrades as they are expensive undertakings compared to simply swapping out a breaker. If EATON had made a smart breaker compatible with current panels, wouldn't they sell more breakers and be able to dominate the market? Or do I have the wrong assumption that BR/PRL3X loadcenters/panels aren't common and that they are actually quite popular?!

 

[augie47]

It's $$$$
The panel manufacturers basically only warranty their panels for their breakers and the "universal breakers" are not listed for every panel,.

 

[infinity]

These won't work in a standard Eaton BR panel?

 

[hillbilly1]

I don’t know about residential, but commercial smart breakers require a communication rail, either using a wired jumper, like Eaton, or a direct plug in like Square D.

 

[kgjecn]

These won't work in a standard Eaton BR panel?

Are BR panels common for residential? How do they compare with CH panels? The smart breakers are compatible with BR panels.

 

[kgjecn]

It's $$$$
The panel manufacturers basically only warranty their panels for their breakers and the "universal breakers" are not listed for every panel,.

Per https://www.relectric.com/training/what-circuit-breakers-are-interchangeable/

On the note of warranty void, manufacturers cannot void their warranty if the replacement part has proven to be safe by a third-party, for instance UL (Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act)

 

[jaggedben]

Are BR panels common for residential? ....

In my experience they are in the top two most common, along with Siemens. YMMV regionally.

 

[ptonsparky]

BR is very common along with QO, CH, & HO.

 

[kgjecn]

BR is very common along with QO, CH, & HO.

Gotchya, thanks! Are BAB breakers/PRL3X panels popular as well? or are they more commercial or just not as common?

 

[brantmacga]

Gotchya, thanks! Are BAB breakers/PRL3X panels popular as well? or are they more commercial or just not as common?

Pow-R-Line panels are very common in commercial and the BAB Quicklag breaker has existed for several generations, same with the BR in residential.

Eaton is going to build breakers for their own panels, not for competitors. Also, these breakers aren't marketed to homeowners, as they offer no software, only an open API for you to build your own control platform.

Your options for now in residential are going to be either the Leviton loadcenter, or the Sense/Wiser Energy SqD QO control relays.

 

[VirutalElectrician]

One of the reasons they're not doing it is probably size. The QO breaker is only 3/4" wide. Look at how much longer they had to make the GFCI/AFCI breakers to fit all the electronics. Probably no room to add any more smarts with that platform, with current technology. Unless you wanted all breakers to be double wide.

The Leviton smart breakers are 1" form factor. Homeline is similar so they should be able to do something there. Schneider seems to be throwing their weight behind Sense.