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Installing Cutler Hammer Circuit Breakers
When installing a Cutler Hammer circuit breaker (or any other brand) it's important to know your equipment, follow the instructions, and turn off all power before starting your work. If you have never installed a circuit breaker before, but feel confident you can do the job, there should be little standing in your way from a DIY installation. One important aspect of circuit breaker installation is insuring a good connection. If you must tighten screws on wires connected to the breakers, you can experience circuit overload problems if the screws are too loose. Heat generated by high resistance may result in a tripped circuit breaker. If you've never installed circuit breakers before and need to screw in the connections, make sure the screws are as tight as possible or as tight as the installation manual recommends.
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Circuit Breaker Locks and Safety
If you are considering installing a padlock system on your Cutler Hammer circuit breakers, there are several safety issues to consider. A padlock system can be handy for securing the circuit breaker system in any area easily accessible to others. Cutler Hammer circuit breakers can be locked in either the "on" or "off" position. If you lock a circuit breaker in the "on" position, this does not prevent the breaker from tripping if there is an overload. This is an important safety feature which can prevent electrical fires and other mishaps, but if you are not available to unlock the breaker once it has tripped, power will remain out until you can reset that circuit breaker.
This has the potential to be a serious problem in cases where people require an uninterrupted power supply for assisted living equipment such as respirators or other health care gear. If you need to lock a circuit breaker system, make sure the keys are available to reset the power in your absence. When installing the lock system itself, use only a UL-rated padlock designed for use with the circuit breakers. Anything short of this can void the warranty of your locking system and the Cutler Hammer circuit breakers.
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My Cutler Hammer Circuit Breaker is Obsolete
If you need obsolete Cutler Hammer circuit breakers, you may be able to purchase replacements even though they are no longer manufactured. There is a big market for obsolete circuit breakers and your part number may be in stock for years. Much depends on the demand for specific Cutler Hammer breakers, so it is important to buy obsolete circuit breakers in bulk whenever possible. Ask your customer service rep how long your part number is anticipated to be available and purchase accordingly. You may need to consider switching to a modern equivalent or doing an overhaul of your electrical system--but only if your circuit breakers are in short supply.
If you do need to do a major rethink of your electrical system, get the advice of an electrician before deciding on a new purchase. Do you need additional capacity to handle your current needs? Is your old system barely adequate? What is the best solution for your needs? If you can't evaluate these issues yourself, it is worth the investment to get the advice of a pro.
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Cutler Hammer Circuit Breaker Padlocks
If your circuit breakers are in a public area, you may wish to add a little extra security to your electrical system. Did you know some brands can be handle-locked? Some types of Cutler Hammer circuit breakers allow installation of a padlock assembly. These padlocks can be placed in the left or right pole position and can protect up to a four-pole circuit breaker. Once installed, a padlock system can lock the circuit breaker into the "on" or "off" position.
It's very important to respect the same rules for installing a Cutler Hammer circuit breaker padlock system as you would any electrical component. A padlock doesn't use electricity, but any time you work around circuit breakers, the power should be completely off. You'll find instructions in the owner's manual requiring "no voltage present" conditions prior to installation. Remember that all warranties for circuit breakers, accessories and padlocks are voided if you do not follow the instructions to the letter.
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Buying Replacement Cutler Hammer Circuit Breakers
There are a wide variety of Cutler Hammer circuit breakers available for purchase and installation. Do you need to replace or upgrade some of your current circuit breakers? It's easy to buy Cutler Hammer breakers when you just need to purchase an identical replacement, but if you need to replace insufficient or obsolete breakers, you need some additional information. How many poles do you need? How many amps and volts? If these questions are over your head, consider getting the advice of an electrician before making your purchase--especially if you need a circuit breaker with greater capacity. If such data is second nature, you'll have no problem quickly identifying the replacements you need.
Once you have your new Cutler Hammer circuit breakers, you can either have an electrician install them for you or do a self-installation if you understand how the install works. Remember that a circuit box has enough electricity to kill. Never attempt an installation without shutting off the power completely. Always test the system with a volt meter to make absolutely sure there is no current going to the box. If you don't know how to use a voltmeter, do not attempt the installation yourself. Leave it to the experts.
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What Should I Do With My Old Circuit Breakers?
Many people are tempted to throw away their old Cutler Hammer circuit breakers, especially if they are obsolete. Did you know there is a growing market for obsolete, used and overstock circuit breakers? Relectric.com is an excellent example; Relectric purchases a variety of used and obsolete equipment--you may be able to sell your old Cutler Hammer circuit breakers and much more. It's very important to contact the retailer about selling your used breakers in advance; don't simply box up the old parts and mail them to the company expecting a store credit or payment. You'll need to get an estimate on how much your old circuit breakers are worth, learn who pays for shipping and what mode of shipping is preferred.
Depending on the size of the transaction and the value of your old Cutler Hammer circuit breakers, you may be offered store credit or a payment. Store credit can be just as handy as cash if you have other purchases to make, don't forget that your new circuit breakers will need to be replaced some day.
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Replacing Your Cutler Hammer Circuit Breaker With an Identical Model.
Do you want to replace your Hammer Cutler circuit breaker with an identical model? If you have never purchased a replacement before, there is a simple way to proceed. Simply locate the Cutler Hammer breaker part number and have it handy when placing a phone or Internet order. If your circuit breaker is not obsolete or out of stock, it's a simple matter of giving the part number to a representative and arranging for payment.
If you have trouble locating the part number, look on the top left side of the breaker or near the manufacturer logo if one is available. Many circuit breakers also have a serial number or style number, but don't use these to identify the Cutler Hammer circuit breaker--it won't help the customer service rep locate a replacement for you. Only the part number will do. If your current circuit breaker is obsolete or no longer meets your needs, ask a customer service rep about replacement options based on your anticipated power needs.
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