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Slash Breakers and 120/240 Delta 3-Phase Panels

jar546

CBO
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
12,816
Location
Not where I really want to be
We all know that in a typical 3 phase 4 wire grounded delta system the B phase is 208 to ground while phases A & C are 120V to ground.

Breakers with a slash rating of 120/240 are not designed for 208 to ground, therefore cannot be used for single pole circuits per 240.15(B)(3), BUT what about a double pole breaker with a slash rating being used on the AB or BC phases if it does not utilize a neutral?

After all, the only time the 208V is present is for circuits to ground, otherwise the voltages phase to phase are always 240V.

A-B= 240
A-C= 240
B-C= 240
B-N= 208
 
I wonder how many inspectors look for a 240V rating on a 2 pole breaker installed on the high leg (it's not always on the B phase as required) & another leg? It does get misused. A few years ago a friend who was doing HVAC & refrigeration (contractor) called why a Hoshizaki ice machine was displaying a high voltage trouble code, and their 208-230V 1Ø machines do require a neutral because of the pump, condenser fan motor, water valves, being 120V, the machine was installed in a farm shop & PG&E loves 120/240V 3Ø for AG services, thought about it & after he checked the voltage, come to find out the installing electrician had used the high leg & another phase for a 120/240V circuit, and the control boards of Hoshizaki ice machines measures the L-N voltage and if it exceeds 140V, it shuts down*, after the problem was corrected all was well, but a professional should know that you cannot use the high leg with a 120/240V single phase circuit, I had nothing to do with the repair, just over the phone troubleshooting. Back to the original topic, I can understand why people do not use a 240V rated breaker when used on the high leg because they are expensive & not a normal stock item, but using a 120/240V slash rated breaker is a code violation.

*Correct the voltage issue & it automatically resets.
 
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