ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Homemade Shunt

I have been asked to reconnect a music Kill switch on a commercial Dj booth. Two single pole breakers have been tied together with a peg thru the throw handle on the breakers. One breaker controls dj booth power - the other is connected thru a normally open switch that connects to ground. ie: Close the switch breaker trips opening power breaker. This is a "reconnect" ~

I wouldn't want to be around when that switch fails...!

So what happens the day the breaker fails?

Sounds like with the existing wiring you could use a real shunt trip breaker.

I agree A Real Shunt breaker is needed.
Application wise is there anything that requires you not to do it. Breaker finds a ground - trips - Normal Operation ~

Very bad idea in my opinion.

I also believe it would be a violation of 110.7


It is very likely along with tripping the branch breaker you will trip a main putting people in the dark.

A handle tie will not always trip the other breaker, it is not intended to do that.

There are so many better ways to cut off a sound system. If I am not mistaken you can actually damage speakers by dropping the power out in the wrong order.

[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 04-30-2005).]

iwire, good point there! Most sound equipment people I have worked with would have a heart attact if the amp fans were not allowed to run and cool the system before dropping power to it. Definately not good for the equipment either.

Thanks Fellows
I appreciate the Info...

I haven't thought out all of the ramifications, but how about using a GFCI instead, and using a pushbutton to connect the ground and neutral together.

Almost all GFCI will trip if the neutral is grounded, and there's no bolted-fault current strain on the equipment.

This would violate 250.24(A)(5)


How about running a switch leg, or use a contactor etc.

There is no need to short a breaker or trip a GFCI.

Oh, sure, bring doing it the right way into the conversation! lol