Eaton BR panel: what are these brackets for?

vwelec · Jul 18, 2020

I noticed some brackets along the sides of two breakers in an Eaton BR panel board.
One is along one side of a 20A Type BR Combination AFCI breaker (labeled for the dishwasher and disposal), and the other along one side of a double 40A breaker (for the Range).
They look somewhat similar to a BR Type Handle Lockout, but they aren't blocking use of the switch handles.
They are really only effective at reducing accidental access to the switch handles.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Eaton BR panel: what are these brackets for?

snowhead · Jul 18, 2020

I'd guess they're so you can fit a padlock to lock them in the Off position.

norcal · Jul 22, 2020

Breaker lock so the circuits can be locked out for servicing (LOTO) Lock Out Tag Out, most likely those appliances are hard wired, rather then cord & plug connected.

vwelec · Jul 22, 2020

norcal said:
Breaker lock so the circuits can be locked out for servicing (LOTO) Lock Out Tag Out, most likely those appliances are hard wired, rather then cord & plug connected.

Yes, that makes sense. From the picture, I can't see that a padlock would fit through the holes, but a lockout hasp or tag surely would. I haven't ever seen this in a residential panel before. I guess I don't get around all that much.

Megawatt · Jul 25, 2020

vwelec said:
I noticed some brackets along the sides of two breakers in an Eaton BR panel board.
One is along one side of a 20A Type BR Combination AFCI breaker (labeled for the dishwasher and disposal), and the other along one side of a double 40A breaker (for the Range).
They look somewhat similar to a BR Type Handle Lockout, but they aren't blocking use of the switch handles.
They are really only effective at reducing accidental access to the switch handles.

View attachment 59574

That cover has to come all the way out even where it’s attached to the panel cover