Circuit breaker to distribution panel connection
Circuit breaker to distribution panel connection
(OP)
I've received a panel breaker from the sales-distributor. I've never see before a bus connection with this kind of sharp cut. Does this bus connection it's acceptable?

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RE: Circuit breaker to distribution panel connection
"Will work for (the memory of) salami"
RE: Circuit breaker to distribution panel connection
"Will work for (the memory of) salami"
RE: Circuit breaker to distribution panel connection
The single phase breakers are mounted below the main breaker. If the main breaker was to open under fault conditions, where would the flash go? Would the breakers below survive? Also you will see small circular holes at the base of the face with a slot facing down. These are for flash barriers that are not present. What is the fault level?
RE: Circuit breaker to distribution panel connection
I would be concerned with heat transfer if a flat bar is clamped in a connector designed to clamp round conductors.
But it may be worth a call to the AHJ to see if this is acceptable or a call to the distributor asking for verification that this is a valid manufacturers build.
It may be that the panel, bus bars and jumpers are built to 100 Amp or even 200 Amp standards and there is ample thermal capacity to operate safely with a 50 Amp breaker.
Anecdote:
We needed a 200 Amp sub panel for a job. No 200 Amp panels would fit in the space available. We only needed two or three large breakers and a 100 Amp panel would fit in the space available and hold the breakers with space left over.
My boss went about trying to get the manufacturer to supply a set of 200 Amp bus bars for a 100 Amp panel. He got the run around for a week or so.
Finally he got high enough up the food chain to get an answer:
The senior customer service person explained that they used the same size bus bars for both 100 Amp and 200 Amp panels. It was the number of breaker spaces that dictated the Amp rating of the panel in their lineup.
Solution;
I am sending you a set of 200 Amp stickers to affix to the bus bars. I hope that helps you out. No charge.
The point is, the parts may be quite safe at 50 Amps.
Bill
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"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: Circuit breaker to distribution panel connection
A bit of heatshrink sleeve in lieu of the interphase barriers doesn't cost much.
RE: Circuit breaker to distribution panel connection
More likely, someone had an MLO (Mail Lug Only) panelboard, then when you needed an MCB version, they could not get the retrofit kit fast enough and kluged this together with parts on hand. If I were an inspector, I would reject it.
"Will work for (the memory of) salami"
RE: Circuit breaker to distribution panel connection