new SquareD QO breaker fits a SquareD QO panel *SUPER-lousy* (pix posted)

[dave]

bought a new 50 amp 2 pole breaker to fit into our SquareD 150 amp breaker panel. it only fits in there "sort of": when installed, it only fits *way* too far rightward from the other breakers, which means NO breakers can EVER be put on the right side of it. also, the weird fit causes the breaker panel cover to hardly fit back on at ALL. neither the breaker panel NOR the new breaker is a QO "homeline" type either.

got me baffled. please see for *yourself*

what "kind" of SquareD QO circuit breakers *am* I supposed to be putting INTO this panel that'll "fit correctly", guys?

thanks

[dpb]

dave wrote: ...

There will be an list of approved breakers in the panel on the door or inside the cover.

--

[Joe]

Had the same problem with a 30A 240V QO. I think the lads punching out the panels need to tell the molding die makers responsible for the breaker housings that somebody can't read a micrometer. The fix is to sand a bit off the breaker housing and file a smidgeon off the panel punch out so that everything goes together. Even so, you may have trouble with the panel cover meeting the box. It's said that blueprints from the early industrial revolution contained the phrase, "heat it, beat it and file to fit". Seems to apply in this case. I would have thought we had progressed beyond that. like the Chinese.

Joe

[Pete C.]

Looks like perhaps you installed it with the plastic or metal rail clip along side the rail instead of clipped over it. Could be bent as well. The breaker will install offset if you do this. As far as I know there are only two versions, QO, the snap in, and QOB the bolt on version (and some non panel lug only versions I think).

[dave]

I just checked two things:

1. seems the breakers site responds 'intermittently'. it was just 'down' for a few minutes, but it's back up now (free hosts, can't complain). and

1. I looked for the label saying 'approved breakers' (or even anything close to that) and found nothing even close. what i DID find you can see clearly in the last image, that being this one:

top left of the pic where it says "catalog number QOC40UF" and series SO1 (for whatever those numbers might indicate)

just had a thought, though: is it possible squareD made the 50 amp breaker -intentionally- offset (like mine is) to make it impossible for someone to -install- a breaker opposite it? (yeah, seems unlikely to me too)

so, like when I go to buy the 100 amp QO breaker I really need (for my welder, I've seem 'em on ebay), I'm going to have to have the (ebay) seller measure the offset of the rear contactor-clips to the breaker case end? to make sure I GET the "right fit"? sure seems that way.

sidenote: the original and 'bad fit' breakers "appear virtually identical" from the breaker switch side, near as I can determine.

sheesh...hoping to NOT have to "file to fit" like joe suggested. and I even think these breakers are hecho in USA, fer cryin' out loud. I mean like a few thousandths off I can understand, but this lousy fit "misses the mark" by a full three-sixteenths

still hope for more illumination on this weirdness from you guys. and thanks

[BobK207]

I have had the same trouble that Joe described but the mismatch was small.....like a 1/32" or less.

I attributed it to bad sheet metal working tolerances & filed the cover to fit.

The mismatch in your case is WAY too much for a tolerance issue...is the breaker clipped in wrong?

Taking a look at the photos, the 50A breaker dimensions look pretty close to that QO220 that's already in the box.......

My suggestion is pull that QO220 & compare it physically to the 250. I'll bet that they're slightly different on the back sides.

Some QO breakers have "box interface hooks" that make them fit in some boxes but not others.....check that out.

You might even clip the 220 in spot where the 250 isn't working & vice versa to do an all around fit check.

cheers Bob

[dave]

aww, jeesh, who WANTS to do all that?

OK, I'm on it...out pullin' breakers, with the digi-cam...

will let you guys know what I found

BobK207 wrote:

[John Grabowski]

It looks as though the circuit breaker is not installed properly. The mounting clips on the breaker below the screw terminals need to snap onto the rail in the back. Pull out the breaker and press the mounting clips onto the rail and then push the other end onto the power buss. The new breakers require a lot of force.

[dave]

ok, guys, we're all fixed up good now. pete C gets the prize, for his first mention of my possibly having installed it offset.

removed the 'new' breaker. took more photos, but believe you guys know what it looks like. also removed the TOP left 50 amp 2 pole, compared the two, found the 'old original' 50 amp and the 'new' one were exactly alike: fronts, backs, sides, rear clips, rear clip offsets, all of it...

interchanged the two, then interchanged 'em back (for good measure :-), this time with the clips on RIGHT.

all's well that ends well, thanks again you guys :-)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ps-who has a SquareD 100 amp 2 pole QO breaker they wanna sell me? 'used' is fine with me.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

replies to my "breaker wanted" please send to machines at cox dot net OR just e-mail me from my 'weird breakers fit' site. try to make sure '100 amp breaker' is in your subject line :-)

thanks again, guys :-)

toolie dave bubba

dave wrote:

[RBM]

I agree with John Grabowski, it looks to me like you missed the rail, like you're in front of it. Remove the wires from the breaker, then try snapping the rear end on the rail first, then the buss end. Once it's properly seated, attach the wires, which by the way look to small for a 50 amp breaker

[Steve Barker DLT]

Looks like to me you missed the left rail. pull it back out and check to make sure the clip is straddling the rail and not beside it.

s

[Mike Dobony]

Compared to the 15 amp circuit above it, the wore looks to be at least 8 ga., about what I ran my 50 stove circuit, per licensed electrician.

[RBM]

When I looked at the other pictures it became less conclusive as to the size. It is a bit peculiar that the black and white wires are attached to the breaker, and the red wire is off to the side.

[Mike Dobony]

Missed that. As long as it gets connected properly at both ends it should be fine, though I would prefer to have the red hooked up to power.

[Old and Grunpy]

Buba I see why it does not fit, the Panel (electrical box) is made for Spanish speaking people and your circuit breaker is made for English speaking people I hope now you understand why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tony