Breaker Accessories

What are breaker accessories?

Breaker accessories are any of a number of parts or tools that are designed to enhance the functionality of a breaker. This can be as simple as a boot that covers a switch toggle creating a watertight seal or something more complex like a toggle guard that prevents accidental activation. Many of these breaker accessories go a step farther and actually enhance the appearance of the breaker as well giving them a dual function. Breaker accessories can include things such as breaker caps, lock-out slides, and even boots. Below we will take a more in-depth look at each of the different types of breaker accessories we offer and discuss their functionality.

"Many of these breaker accessories go a step farther and actually enhance the appearance of the breaker as well giving them a dual function."

Where are breaker accessories implemented?

Breaker accessories offer enhancements and protection for breakers

Breaker accessories are implemented in applications that call for breakers to have a greater than average level of protection. This makes breaker accessories ideal for use in marine applications where the harsh environment is a constant concern. All breaker accessories are perfect for new installations and are easy to install. Beyond that, all breaker accessories are the ideal choice for replacement parts as well. Say you have an older breaker or damaged breakers, breaker accessories can help to prevent that from occurring again. All you will need are the proper breakers and you're done.

What types of breaker accessories are available?

As we said above, we carry several different types of breaker accessories from bare bus bars to Phillips head screws. We do this to offer you the most options possible so that you can find the solution that best meets the needs of your specific application. Since we carry so many different types of breakers, it just makes sense to carry a variety of accessories for them. The first of the breaker accessories we will look at is the breaker caps.

Breaker caps
Our breaker caps are screw-on covers designed to protect panel mount breakers from surface splash or exposure to other liquids. We offer breaker caps in several styles and lengths to help you to find the exact part to find your project. Regardless of the style you choose, their temperature range is -160°F to 500°F and they are resistant to salt, water, acids, weather, dust, sunlight, and ozone.

Breaker boots
Breaker covers protect and increase the life span of circuit breakers. One style is designed for use with “EG” or “A” frame breakers whereas the other style is designed for use with “EL” or “C” frame breakers. Each one is constructed from silicone rubber with nickel-plated brass nuts for long life. Their temperature range is -160°F to 500°F. All our breaker boots are built to resist salt, water, acids, weather, dust, sunlight, and ozone.

Cutout
Our cutout adapter is designed to adapt an A-frame breaker to a C- frame breaker. The cutout holes for a C-frame breaker are different from that of an A-frame breaker meaning that one cannot fit the other. Rather than having to entire replace a functional breaker, you can solve the problem with our cutout. By using our Adapter Plate, "A" Frame to "C" Frame Cutout you can quickly and easily fit an A-frame breaker into a cutout hole of a C-frame breaker.

Lockout
The lockout slide on the other hand offers a distinctly different purpose than the cutout just above. It protects critical function circuits from being accidentally switched off at the breaker. It this way it also serves to increase the safety of your vessel. It is designed to fit all “EG” or “A” frame single handle (throw) breakers. It mounts on the surface of the panel with two, 6-32 x 3/8" mounting screws which are included. One of the best parts about the lockout slide is that it can easily be installed in seconds.

Bare bus bar
Our bare bus bar is designed for use with “A” frame panel mount breakers. What this means is that the holes are perfectly spaced to accommodate those types of breakers specifically. The holes are made to be exactly ¾” on the center and are designed for use with #8 or #10 screws. In this way, the bare bus bar replaces the need for wire jumpers as the bare bus bar will link the breakers directly.

Screws
Screws are needed to secure pieces in place and as such we offer black oxide finish general purpose screws in two sizes. Our Phillips head screws are available in either 6-32 thread 5/16" Long (EGF-6-32-3125) or 6-32 thread 3/8" Long (EGF-6-32-375). Now when you look at these screws, the only real difference is their length. It may seem negligible, but that 1/16 of an inch difference goes a long way in properly securing specific equipment. Both of these types of screws are for use with EG and EL breakers.

Where would I use these breaker accessories?

Breaker accessories can be used anywhere you have the proper breakers installed. They are ideal when you are looking to increase the longevity or safety of the breakers or their individual parts such as the toggle. This can include just about any environment that you can have an electrical system. Some breaker accessories such as the bare bus bar or the screws can be used on other projects as well due to the flexible nature of their applications. One reason so many people use our breaker accessories is the advantages that they offer.

What makes breaker accessories advantageous?

Breaker accessories are advantageous for a variety of reasons including the fact that they can increase the longevity of products. By creating a watertight seal, the breaker caps reduce the risk of corrosion creeping into your breaker bodies. Another advantage that we discussed is the fact that several of our breaker accessories can increase the overall safety of your electrical system. Our lock-out slide prevents accidental activation of a switch which means that two conflicting breakers cannot be activated simultaneously. When you think about it, the entire point of breaker accessories is to offer an advantage that you do not get with the breaker alone.

Are breaker accessories designed to withstand the harsh marine environment?

All our breaker accessories are designed with the marine environment in mind. This is done so that they can last in the harsh conditions found in marine settings. Think about it, the boots offer a greater level of protection and the lock-out slide and guard toggle are made from durable plastics to remove the risk of corrosion. Even the bare bus bar is tinned plated to ensure that it can thrive and perform in an environment where bare copper would quickly oxidize. This goes to show how much forethought we put into our products. When you see Pacer Group on your products, you know that you have quality.

*This page was updated on 03/31/2022*