ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Square D Type QO 40A Tandem?

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.

Forgot to mention, I'm only installing 1 arc-fault breaker, which is creating this space issue.

I have never seen them over 20a. You are going to end up with a panel change or a sub panel IMHO.

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.

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.

You might have to install one of these next to the panel

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