"Loose" tandem CH breaker

[ironspider]

Greetings all, we have a Cutler-Hammer 200AMP service panel that is model# CH42B200K. I need to insert a 240v line for a steam shower so I bought a 15amp tandem breaker to combine 2 existing 15amp breakers down into 1, thus freeing up 2 slots next to each other where I can put the new 240V/20amp breaker.

The tandem I bought is model number CHT2020 which I assume stands for "Type CH, TANDEM, 20 amp, 20 amp"? But when I put the breaker in, it does not snap in and lock down tightly like all the other single breakers that are installed (some added by me after the service was upgraded and the panel was put in [circa late 2009]). It does fit, just not "tightly". Am I doing something wrong here? Or is that just the way Tandem are in these CH panels?

I did read a customer review that said "This breaker is longer than the single type to ensure that it is installed in a compatible slot. To make it fit snug, bend the auxiliary metal tab toward you, which is on the edge of the panel mounting slot, and this will extend the length of the slot. If you don't notice this metal tab you will be puzzled why this breaker is completely loose in the slot." But I don't know what the auxiliary metal tab is. I mean there is a tab on side of the panel that the curved end of the breaker hooks around (attached) but I don't see how bending that would make the slot longer?

 

[Reach4]

http://www.werbreakers.com/item.php?iid=13467 says "42 MAXIMUM CIRCUIT(S)". The implication is that it does not accept tandem breakers.

http://www.startribune.com/local/yourvoices/140688183.html explains the issue.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Norcal01]

Greetings all, we have a Cutler-Hammer 200AMP service panel that is model# CH42B200K. I need to insert a 240v line for a steam shower so I bought a 15amp tandem breaker to combine 2 existing 15amp breakers down into 1, thus freeing up 2 slots next to each other where I can put the new 240V/20amp breaker.

The tandem I bought is model number CHT2020 which I assume stands for "Type CH, TANDEM, 20 amp, 20 amp"? But when I put the breaker in, it does not snap in and lock down tightly like all the other single breakers that are installed (some added by me after the service was upgraded and the panel was put in [circa late 2009]). It does fit, just not "tightly". Am I doing something wrong here? Or is that just the way Tandem are in these CH panels?

I did read a customer review that said "This breaker is longer than the single type to ensure that it is installed in a compatible slot. To make it fit snug, bend the auxiliary metal tab toward you, which is on the edge of the panel mounting slot, and this will extend the length of the slot. If you don't notice this metal tab you will be puzzled why this breaker is completely loose in the slot." But I don't know what the auxiliary metal tab is. I mean there is a tab on side of the panel that the curved end of the breaker hooks around (attached) but I don't see how bending that would make the slot longer?

Here is a photo of a CH "Classic" interior, the only places that accept twin breakers are in the lower part of the interior where the tabs are extended, if they do not have those tabs, they are not suitable for any other then a full size breaker. A 42 circuit panel will not accept twin breakers.



I was ticked when Cutler-Hammer introduced a twin breaker, no twins in a panel is a plus.

 

[hj]

In my world of mathematics, if you remove ONE breaker and combine it with another one, that only frees up ONE slot. You would have to do it to two of them to get room for two breakers.

 

[McClary's Electrical]

Stop putting breakers where they dont belong. ...