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Disconnect Boxes and Breakers => Disconnect Boxes and Breaker FAQ'S => Topic started by: sunbunny on November 06, 2013, 10:32:17 PM

Title: Is it OK to mount breakers horizontal ?
Post by: sunbunny on November 06, 2013, 10:32:17 PM
I am putting 70 amp MNEDC circuit breakers on each of my battery pairs (6 pairs)
My installation would be neater and easier if I could mount the breakers horizontal. Is that OK ?

I read in another thread here, that it was Ok to use the breakers as switches so I could go right from the breaker to my + buss and not need to use a 300 amp battery switch to connect selected pairs of batteries in and out of the system ?

Thanks
Title: Re: Is it OK to mount breakers horizontal ?
Post by: Vic on November 06, 2013, 11:32:32 PM
Hi sunbunny,

This may be the post that you were referring to regarding using the MN DC breakers as switches:
http://midniteforum.com/index.php?topic=351.msg2615#msg2615

Am still looking for the place where I saw the reference to vertical mounting,  with ON up,  but have not found it yet.  More later,   Vic
Title: Re: Is it OK to mount breakers horizontal ?
Post by: Halfcrazy on November 07, 2013, 05:57:12 AM
Horizontal is fine. The only direction that gets funny is with the handle pointing straight up. If that is the case they have to be derated.

Ryan
Title: Re: Is it OK to mount breakers horizontal ?
Post by: sunbunny on November 07, 2013, 06:23:57 AM
Thanks very much, Ryan and Vic !
Title: Re: Is it OK to mount breakers horizontal ?
Post by: Vic on November 07, 2013, 11:32:59 AM
OK,  thanks Ryan,  horizontal mounting will help in one recent situation.  Thanks.

EDIT:  I had given sunbunny some bad advice on the Wind-Sun Forum,  stating that I believed that horizontal orientation was ill-advised.  So I stand corrected,  and sorry for creating this noise.   Vic
Title: Re: Is it OK to mount breakers horizontal ?
Post by: cpm on November 07, 2013, 07:32:15 PM
Quote from: Halfcrazy on November 07, 2013, 05:57:12 AM
Horizontal is fine. The only direction that gets funny is with the handle pointing straight up. If that is the case they have to be derated.

Ryan

I don't understand
Title: Re: Is it OK to mount breakers horizontal ?
Post by: zoneblue on November 08, 2013, 02:06:48 PM
My reading is that horizontal switch facing you is fine, but switch facing the sky is not so good.
Title: Re: Is it OK to mount breakers horizontal ?
Post by: Halfcrazy on November 08, 2013, 04:14:57 PM
Yes as long as the handle is facing horizontally in a direction not up or down you are good
Title: Re: Is it OK to mount breakers horizontal ?
Post by: Robin on November 20, 2013, 02:31:37 AM
When the handle is facing up or down, the trip time is increased a little. CBI says 5%. I do not know how much for the Carling, but I suspect it is about the same. In fact I remember now that the engineering manager from Carling was here last week and he acknowledged about 5% also. So, no big deal in any case. I do not think they publish this as it gets too complicated to put a UL label on the product that fits all positions. In reality, it doesn't make much difference.
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