richwaskowitz
Senior Member
- Location
- Shelby Twp. MI, near Detroit
Just what is it about a HACR breaker that makes it different from a non-HACR one? What is the application of these devices?
HACR Breakers
- Thread starter richwaskowitz
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Re: HACR Breakers
The application would be for anything that is classified as HVAC refrigeration equipment. Roof top AC units, condensing units, etc. Small refigerators are not the concern.
The purpose is the fact that refrigeration equipment has a large surge current which cause arcing inside the breaker This arcing can damage the contacts of an older style breaker causing it to overheat or totally fail.
Most new breaker up to at least 60 or 70 amps are HACR rated.
The application would be for anything that is classified as HVAC refrigeration equipment. Roof top AC units, condensing units, etc. Small refigerators are not the concern.
The purpose is the fact that refrigeration equipment has a large surge current which cause arcing inside the breaker This arcing can damage the contacts of an older style breaker causing it to overheat or totally fail.
Most new breaker up to at least 60 or 70 amps are HACR rated.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Re: HACR Breakers
In the old days UL had special testing for circuit breakers to prove "...that the circuit breaker provided appropriate protection for the circuit components of typical heating, air
conditioning, and refrigeration equipment handle group motor applications..."
But now, since the 1990's, there is nothing special about the HACR rating.
According to Square D publication 0600DB0102:
"A great number of circuit breakers were investigated by UL using the special HACR testing. It was found that all circuit breakers that passed the normal UL 489 tests also passed the special HACR testing without a special design. As a result, UL 489 has been revised to recognize that all circuit breakers that satisfy
the construction and test requirements for UL 489 Listing are also suitable for HACR applications.
Paragraph 7.7 of the 9th edition of UL 489 grants HACR listing to all UL 489 Listed circuit breakers. There is no longer a requirement for special testing. These circuit breakers are suitable for group motor applications requiring HACR designation."
In the old days UL had special testing for circuit breakers to prove "...that the circuit breaker provided appropriate protection for the circuit components of typical heating, air
conditioning, and refrigeration equipment handle group motor applications..."
But now, since the 1990's, there is nothing special about the HACR rating.
According to Square D publication 0600DB0102:
"A great number of circuit breakers were investigated by UL using the special HACR testing. It was found that all circuit breakers that passed the normal UL 489 tests also passed the special HACR testing without a special design. As a result, UL 489 has been revised to recognize that all circuit breakers that satisfy
the construction and test requirements for UL 489 Listing are also suitable for HACR applications.
Paragraph 7.7 of the 9th edition of UL 489 grants HACR listing to all UL 489 Listed circuit breakers. There is no longer a requirement for special testing. These circuit breakers are suitable for group motor applications requiring HACR designation."
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: HACR Breakers
Jim: That is what I have been told as well.
Jim: That is what I have been told as well.
Re: HACR Breakers
Jim's correct. Remember fuses were the only OCPD that was approved for a long time. An old reference that I have dating way back to 1982, the U.L. Green book, "Electrical Construction Materials Directory," stipulates that "Circuit Breakers which have been found suitable for use with heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment comprising multimotor or combination loads bear the listing mark 'Listed HACR Type' circuit breakers.
Neither the inverse time current curve nor the instantaneous pickup has been modified. In other words the trip curve have not been change from that of a standard breaker.
Jim's correct. Remember fuses were the only OCPD that was approved for a long time. An old reference that I have dating way back to 1982, the U.L. Green book, "Electrical Construction Materials Directory," stipulates that "Circuit Breakers which have been found suitable for use with heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment comprising multimotor or combination loads bear the listing mark 'Listed HACR Type' circuit breakers.
Neither the inverse time current curve nor the instantaneous pickup has been modified. In other words the trip curve have not been change from that of a standard breaker.
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