A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by excess current from an overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to interrupt current flow after a fault is detected. Unlike a fuse, which operates once and then must be replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset (either manually or automatically) to resume normal operation. The vast majority of circuit breakers are thermal magnetic. This type of breaker uses a magnetic field to provide most of the current interruption, but also has a thermal element that is designed to trip the breaker if the current
There are two types of residential breakers: thermal and magnetic. Thermal breakers trip when they overheat due to excessive current flow. Magnetic breakers trip when the magnetic field generated by the current flow is strong enough to move the breaker's internal trip mechanism.
Yes, thermal magnetic circuit breakers are adjustable. This is done by adjusting the thermal element within the breaker. This is typically done with a screwdriver.
Most circuit breakers work by heat. The heat of the current flowing through the breaker melts a small piece of metal, which opens the circuit and trips the breaker.
5/5
Homeline 2-20 Amp single-pole 1-30 Amp double-pole Quad Tandem circuit breaker
Plug-on design, easy to install
Compatible with Homeline load centers and CSED devices
Rated for 10,000 AIR
120/240 Vac
$234
If you run out of breaker slots in your panel, this is a great solution.NOTE: In order for the breaker to fully seat in the Homeline panel, I had to use a Dremel tool to extend the plastic hole on the bottom of the breaker. To allow the breaker to seat completely, the slot was only slightly expanded. Never make any modifications to the panel or the buses!
4.8/5
1 Space Per Pole
N/A
Made in USA
Plug On Neutral Combination Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters CAFI
Homeline 20 Amp single-pole plug-on-neutral combination AFCI circuit breaker
Homeline, 20A Single Pole Circuit Breaker
Voltage: 120V, Bulk
$234
Homeline, which I've been using for a while, has proven to be a reliable and affordable alternative to Square D QOs—the ones with the read flag in the window. The price difference for a single-pole breaker alone is about twice as expensive as the Homeline. This is a very realistic alternative due to the lower cost of the breakers, especially when installing a new load center with a big number of breakers. The load centers are almost identical to those you would receive from Square D; the buss bar is the only obvious difference. A Homeline breaker has never failed to trip when I done something foolish in my experience. Without the flag, it is a little more difficult to identify which breaker popped, but because this shouldn't happen often, I can live without it. I recently changed a Zinsco panel while switching to a new provider. With roughly 30 new breakers, 12 of which were double-pole due to baseboard electric heating, I am estimating that I saved about $150 on breakers alone and another $100 on the two panels required to replace the Zinsco. Even when I cut through a few Romex cables with a circular saw while removing a roof and dormer for an extension with some fairly shoddy wiring, the Zinsco breakers never tripped. Although Square D QO is a superior product, I am unable to justify the somewhat significant cost increase over Homeline for domestic use. I used to work as an electrical contractor, so I doubt there was a panel or breaker maker I never came across. Homeline is definitely near the top of the list.
4.7/5
Compatible with Home line load centers and CSED devices
120/240 Vac
Home line 30/20 Amp one-pole Tandem circuit breaker
Plug-on design, easy to install
Rated for 10,000 AIR
$234
A buster! I changed one, but that didn't address the issue. They replaced it and it DID operate when I took the RV to the RV store and bought this one for them. Since they are identical, I'm not sure if the original I purchased was flawed or if I reinstalled the flawed version. In any case, this one has been working properly for a few weeks.
4.7/5
Type THQL for use in General Electric load centers
Thick series, requires two 1-inch spaces
2 Pole, 125 Amp
$234
I spotted it here on Amazon and at a price I thought was reasonable rather to waste time trying to get it locally (the large box retailers didn't carry this size), so I ordered it. This was put into a sub-panel I recently added by my electrician brother-in-law, and it works perfectly. rarely encounter any issues with breakers. All of the information I completed suggested that this size breaker required 1/0 4 wire SER cable. All went well.
4.6/5
Offers 2 poles in the space of 1 as the replacement breaker is for use in old-style, non-class CTL QO load centers and has a maximum load of 240 volts
120/240V, For Older Model Load Centers Without Pan Rail Slots
The breaker features Qwik-Open and a Visi-Trip indicator to easily identify a tripped breaker
Square D QO
QO 2-20 Amp one-pole tandem replacement circuit breaker
20A Single Pole Tandem Circuit Breaker
1/2 Space Per Pole
$234
Identical ones were in a 25-year-old breaker box. These breakers appear to be more modern and well-made than the older ones. Be sure you have space if you're installing a second breaker. There are typically just a few slots available in breaker boxes for breakers of this type. To prevent them from being installed in every slot in your box, double breakers have a lip on them. Check your box first; you might need to rearrange some items to make room on it for these doubles.
4.4/5
UL listed
Triplex 1/2-Inch frame
Plug in type
Space Saving
One 30-Amp double pole, two 20-Amp single pole
$234
Works Perfectly! Strong and slick-looking breaker. I had a 20-Amp breaker, but after installing a new hot water heater with a higher power, I needed a 30-Amp breaker. This was ideal. My previous configuration consisted of two 20-Amp half-width breakers that were taped together. The other two outer were regular 120v while the two inner were set up for a 220v. Everyone headed to the laundry room. The hot water heater required 220 volts, while the washing machine and ceiling lights required the additional 2 volts.As I was replacing essentially the same thing, I opted to attempt this after considerable deliberation and research. I had forgotten that these half-width circuit breakers could only be installed in specific places within the box. It all works out in the end because the map is on the panel and I simply forgot. It was a great fit and the existing wires were already in alignment because I was replacing two half width breakers.Not to Worry!
4.1/5
Twin-pole, Duplex circuit breaker
Size: 15 Amp / 20 Amp poles
Dimensions: 2.5" H x 1" W x 3.06" L
HACR SWD Rated
$234
I personally purchased this for a travel trailer that was made to function with this type of dual breaker and has a small number of breakers. It will nevertheless function in any Siemens Q-type enclosure. Their consumer breaker and panel series is called Q. This is a pair of "single pull" breakers in the place usually reserved for one, as it is described. This two-pole breakers is NOT intended for use with 240V applications. This breaker provides you with two independent 120V circuits while taking up only one breaker slot. You get two 120V circuits with this particular model: one with 15A and one with 20A. Make sure you have access to the two neutral and two ground connections that are needed for the neutral and ground bar in your panel. Due to the fact that 240V two-pole breakers leave an extra neutral and ground connection available in the Neutral/ground bus relative to the number of slots they occupy, dual breakers perform best in tiny panels with few breaker slots when they are used with 240V two-pole breakers. As always, make careful to unplug the primary power to the panel you're working on. Additionally, confirm that the circuits on which you are placing this breaker have wire rated for that amount of amperage. And if you have even the least doubt about your electrical work abilities, please get in touch with a certified electrician.I've just owned this specific item for a little over two months. There are none to report. The throws click securely in the on position as a throw breaker should, and there is no hum (a sign of a defective breaker). Although I haven't had this unit for very long, I've had great success using Siemens Q-type breakers during the past ten years. Additionally, I've used different Siemens dual breakers in the past without any issues. I prefer Siemens to every other brand.Update 9/20/14: There have been no difficulties reported in four years. Excellent quality from Siemens, as predicted.
3.7/5
120/240 VAC 2 Pole breaker
For use in Pushmatic circuit breaker panels
20 Amp
10,000 AIC
Intertek ETL Listing to UL Standard 489 for US and Canada-Molded case circuit breakers
Replacement Pushmatic circuit breaker manufactured new by Connecticut Electric
May also be branded as Bulldog (ie Bulldog P220)
Bolt on type
$234
I understand that this is a very pricey breaker. At least someone is producing these because if not, all of us who have Pushmatic service panels would be in serious trouble. For me, this was effective. Several reviews that I read bemoaned the absence of the lug screws for mounting to the panel. Since I was removing an old breaker and figured I could reuse the screws, I wasn't concerned. But mine came with lug screws already in place, wrapped in non-adhesive paper to keep them there. The new breaker was simple to install. The item I received wasn't black as shown in the listing; it was grey. Although it doesn't really matter, I felt it was worth mentioning.
Circuit breakers are devices that are used to protect electrical circuits from damage caused by overloads or short circuits. They work by automatically opening and closing the circuit when an overload or short circuit is detected. Circuit breakers combine thermal and magnetic protection to provide the best possible protection for your electrical circuits. Thermal protection is provided by a heat-sensitive element in the circuit breaker that is designed to open the circuit when the temperature gets too high. This protects the circuit from damage caused by overheating. Magnetic protection is provided by a magnetic coil in the circuit breaker that
To set a thermal magnetic trip unit, you need to determine the desired level of protection and then select a trip unit that will provide that level of protection. The trip unit should be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
A thermal circuit breaker is a device that is used to protect an electrical circuit from excessive current. The breaker works by sensing the current in the circuit and then opening the circuit when the current exceeds the breaker's trip point. The breaker can be reset after it has cooled down and the current has been removed. To test a thermal circuit breaker, first turn off the power to the circuit. Then, using a multimeter, measure the resistance between the two terminals on the breaker. The resistance should be infinite if the breaker is working properly. If the resistance is not infinite, then the
A thermal breaker trips when it senses heat from an overcurrent condition. The breaker contains a heat-sensitive element that expands when heated. This expansion causes the breaker to trip, interrupting the current.
Thermal magnetic trip units are an important part of circuit breakers. They are designed to protect circuits from overcurrents by opening the circuit breaker when a preset current is exceeded. Thermal magnetic trip units work by sensing the current in the circuit and then comparing it to a preset threshold. If the current exceeds the threshold, the trip unit will open the circuit breaker, interrupting the flow of current.
A QP circuit breaker is a quick-make, quick-break device that is used to protect electrical circuits from overloads and short circuits. The "QP" in the name stands for "quick-make, quick-break."
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