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What is a Square D Disconnect Switch?
A Square D disconnect switch is a device which allows an electrician to kill the power to an air conditioning unit or other high-draw equipment so maintenance can be safely performed. These switches are required by law and are designed for safety purposes. Turning the unit off is not enough to protect from an electrical shock.
A Square D disconnect switch should be installed on the exterior of the unit and be easily accessible when needed during maintenance operations. While it is technically possible to install a disconnect switch inside a system such as an air conditioning unit, it is not advised. In addition to needlessly increasing the danger for an electrician or maintenance person, internally installed disconnect switches may be in violation of both building codes and the warranty for the unit. A Square D breaker and disconnect switch should be used only in accordance with their intended purpose and according to building codes.
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What is a Counterfeit Square D Circuit breaker?
A 2008 recall issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08151.html) warns buyers of Square D circuit breakers to look closely at their purchases to make certain they are legitimate Square D breakers. A series of counterfeits made in China hit the market between 2003 and 2006; the counterfeits pose a serious fire hazard. Unlike the genuine Square D breakers, the knock-offs will fail to trip when overloads are present.
When the counterfeit breakers fail, electrical fires can result. It is very important to look closely at your Square D breakers for the following signs of authenticity:
The amp rating is printed on the Square D breaker handle in white
A Square D insignia on the side of the circuit breaker
A "yellow chromate" mounting clip (half of the top of the clip should be visible)
If your circuit breaker does not match this description, it could be a counterfeit version. Fakes often have the amp rating printed in black instead of white, another telltale sign to look for. If you discover a counterfeit, stop using it immediately and replace it with a legitimate Square D breaker.
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How Does a Thermal Circuit Breaker Work?
Thermal square d circuit breakers are made with a metallic strip. This strip has two different pieces of metal welded together, each meant to expand when coming in contact with the heat generated from electric current. Having two different kinds of metal in the strip means the expansion rate for each metal is different. The greater the heat, the more severely the metal strip bends.
When there is an electric overload, the heat generated is so great that the strip bends enough to pull the circuit level to the off position, protecting the wiring from damage. When a thermal circuit breaker is reset, it is likely to trip again if the overload condition still exists. It may take time for the heat to increase to the previous level, but once it does your Square D circuit breaker will trip once more. It is very important to get to the bottom of a thermal square D breaker that keeps tripping again and again. You may have a wiring fault that needs repair.
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Why Do I Need Arc Fault Interrupter Circuit Breakers?
An arc fault is caused when there is damage to the wiring in the home is damaged. This type of electrical hazard is likely when there is loose wiring, faulty switches, damaged electrical cords or frayed cords. There are parallel faults where an electrical arc jumps between the live wire and the neutral wire, or when electricity"arcs to ground".
An arc fault can ignite any flammable material including the frayed or damaged electrical cord itself, the wall surrounding a wall socket, even a pile of clothing close to the arc fault. A square D circuit breaker designed to detect arc faults can prevent this situation by cutting the power before the arc fault has a chance to become what firemen call a "source of ignition". Installing an AFCI Square D circuit breaker is an added layer of protection from house fires.
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What Do Those Letters Mean?
When buying Square D breakers or any other brand, you are asked to select the poles, amps, volts and type. The listing of types is long and starts with simple single letter designations all the way to combinations of three or more. This grouping of letters indicates the type of case the Square D circuit breakers or any other brand are made of. The frame or case determines the actual size of the circuit breaker, plus the maximum voltage and current it can safely handle. If you are selecting replacement Square D circuit breakers, it's a simple thing to choose a case type identical to the one you are currently using, but if you need to purchase brand new circuit breakers for a new sub panel or upgraded breaker box, consult a customer service rep if you need assistance selecting the proper breakers and case types.
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What Does AFCI Mean?
AFCI stands for "Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter". Square D circuit breakers designed for AFCI are constructed to detect dangerous low-level arc faults and cut the power when those faults exist. Standard circuit breakers are made to detect overloads and short circuits, but they may not be equipped to break the circuit when an arc fault is detected. AFCI breakers are made to "fill the gap" in safety by detecting all four major potential electrical hazards including ground faults and arc faults.
Square D circuit breakers made to detect arc faults can prevent damage from pre-existing wiring problems and from new damage the wiring system which can happen during remodeling. If you are drilling near a wall socket or breaker box and accidentally damage the wiring, the AFCI square D circuit breakers trip at the first indication of an arc fault. This can save you from a house fire later on due to a condition you might not even realize exists.
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What is the Difference Between GFCI and AFCI Circuit Breakers?
Square D circuit breakers designated as Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) are not the same as Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. Square D breakers with AFCI protection are made to guard against accidental fires caused by current arcs. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters are made to protect people from electrical shocks.
GCFI circuit breakers do this by monitoring the current which flows between the "hot" and neutral sections of a wall socket. If there is any imbalance in the current, the circuit is tripped to prevent electric shock. If you are using an electric appliance and you step into a puddle of water, for example, the current can transfer to you, altering the balance in the current between hot and neutral. A GFCI circuit breaker stops the flow of electricity the moment that altered balance is detected. Square D circuit breakers designated as AFCI are not inferior to GFCI circuit breakers, they simply protect the home in different ways.
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