Nearly all "Commonly Used Basic" Circuit Breakers for use on 240 VAC Max. systems, with frame sizes of 100 Amps - maybe as large as 225 Amps, these are "By Default" Trip-Free design.

Trip-Hold devices are special order items, but that does not mean it will not be used by "Joe Jackleg" in an incorrect application!
(Read:"I found this breaker _______, so I will use it for this Mobile Home Install")

***NOTE*** fill in the above blank with one or more of the following:
"at work" / "at some demolished Industrial location" / "in the dumpster" / "on the shelves of the local distribution center" / "in some EC's truck" / "in some panelboard"

[Linked Image]

Could have been a Trip-Hold (Non Trip-Free) breaker, but chances are more likely the Breaker either was:
Closed too many times with a fault on the circuit (fusing the contacts closed),
The breaker had been reset so many times the latching spring came loose; preventing a trip,
The Breaker was replaced with a higher rating type (60 amp instead of the original "nuiscance" 20 amp) + for redundancy, tape was applied to the handle to "eliminate those pesky trips",
or lastly,
The Cord/Receptacle connection was just too warn out and generated so much heat, it finally caught something on Fire.

Scott35

Scott " 35 " Thompson
Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!