Tandem breaker with stab-in connection - replace?


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Old 08-26-19, 08:47 AM
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Tandem breaker with stab-in connection - replace?

Had a plumber nick an old cable while cutting a pipe, and since it was in a drop ceiling not far from the breaker panel I decided to run new romex from the nicked area back to the panel (connection is all nice and tidy in a junction box in the drop ceiling.)

The breaker is a tandem 20amp, but it has stab-in connections. All other breakers in the panel have screw connections. I know that stab-in is a bad method of attachment on receptacles and switches, but I've never seen them on a breaker before. I am concerned that by pulling the old wire out of the breaker that I may have compromised the grabbing ability of the stab-in connection. It seems snug enough, though not quite as snug as before. Should I just replace the breaker with one that has screw connections? Of course the big-box stores don't carry what I need (otherwise I would have replaced it at the time) so I'll have to order it online - it's a Square D but the only 20amp tandems at HD and Lowes had a hook that won't work on my panel.
 
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Old 08-26-19, 09:53 AM
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Hi, I don’t believe I have ever seen a SQ D breaker where there is a stab in connection, is there a label on the panel cover that indicates the breaker style? Can you safely take a pic of the breaker and cover label info.
Geo
 
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Old 08-27-19, 05:03 AM
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Here are some pics. Not sure if the panel label tells you what you need to know? The one showing the breaker out of the panel is NOT the actual breaker in question, but it is a double-pole version of the type of breaker this panel accepts (QO-T).

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Last edited by PJmax; 09-02-19 at 05:48 PM. Reason: resized pictures
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Old 09-02-19, 03:02 PM
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Just bumping this thread to see if anyone has any more input after I posted pics.
 
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Old 09-02-19, 03:25 PM
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https://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D...20CP/100021761

This should be the correct replacement breaker.
Double stack type tandem breakers are obsolete and has been replaced by side by side ones.

If your panel is older non CTL panel, then
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D...020C/100075651

This is the correct replacement.

Check if your existing breaker has a hook type clip like first breaker I linked.

I wouldn't worry too much about replacing the breaker unless you are having problem.
 
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Old 09-02-19, 04:06 PM
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Thanks - the hook style won't work. The old one still seems fine so I think I'll just keep an eye on it if it's not a safety issue.
 
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Old 09-02-19, 05:34 PM
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Did you physically remove the breaker to check?
CTL compliant panels have some sort of rejection clip/tab to prevent installation of a tandem breaker where it is not supposed to be installed. Only tandem breakers will have that.
This was introduced in 1965 NEC from what I read.

Your panel does not look that old.
 
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Old 09-03-19, 06:34 AM
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I physically removed the breaker to take the old line out and put the new one in. While I don't recall looking at it in detail, I think if it had a hook I would have noticed because I've never seen that style before. The house was built in 1961, but I think the panel might have been replaced in '79.

I may have to shut the power off and open up the panel again to replace a different breaker, so when I do that I'll take another look at this tandem one to verify that it's not a hook.
 
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Old 09-03-19, 08:21 AM
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Only the tandem breaker will have a hook shaped clip.
 
 

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