ECN Forum
Posted By: onilozay Square D Type QO 40A Tandem? - 12/16/14 08:18 AM
Hi all,

I'm wondering if Square D Type QO Breakers come in tandem form (skinny taking up 1 slot only) for 30 & 40A. I can't seem to find them. I do find tandems in 15 & 20A though.

Reason : Installing arc-fault in a panel filled with all tandems (15/20), there is no more room. There are 3 double pole breakers each which take up 2 spaces. They are 40, 40, 30A.

So I'm not adding additional circuits, just arc-faults don't come in tandem. I'm trying to replace a 40, 40 or 30 with a skinny tandem and free up some room...otherwise replace panel.

Much appreciated.
Posted By: onilozay Re: Square D Type QO 40A Tandem? - 12/16/14 08:19 AM
Forgot to mention, I'm only installing 1 arc-fault breaker, which is creating this space issue.
Posted By: gfretwell Re: Square D Type QO 40A Tandem? - 12/16/14 08:58 AM
I have never seen them over 20a. You are going to end up with a panel change or a sub panel IMHO.
Posted By: HotLine1 Re: Square D Type QO 40A Tandem? - 12/16/14 02:39 PM
That's not something that I have seen. You may want to check Schneider website; or contact a local supply house that is a Sq D distributor. Not a 'big box' store, but a supply house.

Posted By: electure Re: Square D Type QO 40A Tandem? - 12/16/14 02:49 PM
Double pole breakers can't replaced by tandems.

The double poles pick up both legs.
Tandems don't.

2 of them side by side won't be any help either. Handle ties won't fix the issue of the common trip requirement.

Posted By: BigB Re: Square D Type QO 40A Tandem? - 12/18/14 02:37 AM
You might have to install one of these next to the panel

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/SectionDisplay.jsp?section=62350&minisite=10251
© ECN Electrical Forums