What is a Federal Pacific NE and NEF Circuit Breaker?

These pictures are of Federal Pacific NE and NEF Circuit Breakers. The 2 and 3 Poles have the newer labels. Most have a label that is approximately 3/4 inch x 3 inch

Images above are NE and NEF Circuit Breakers with the American Circuit Breaker Labels

The Obsolete NE and NEF Circuit Breakers were originally manufactured by Federal Pacific Electric. They are Thermal Magnetic Circuit Breakers with non-interchangeable trip units, DC Ratings, have been Vibration Tested and are suitable for reverse feed.

Both of these Circuit Breakers have the same dimensions and will fit in the same panels but the Voltage and AIC Ratings are different.

The NE Circuit Breakers are 120 Volt AC and 125 Volt DC for Single Poles. The 2 and 3 Pole Circuit Breakers are 240 Volt AC and 250 Volt DC.

The NEF Circuit Breakers are 277 Volt AC and 125 Volt DC for Single Poles. The 2 and 3 Pole Circuit Breakers are 480 Volt AC and 250 Volt DC.

The NE and NEF Federal Pacific Circuit Breakers have the same dimensions, 6.22 inches tall and 1.38 inches wide. The 2 pole Circuit Breakers are 6.22 inches tall and 2.75 inches wide. The 3 Pole Circuit Breakers are 6.22 inches tall and 4.12 inches wide.

The amperage range is 15 to 100 Amps and when these Circuit Breakers were remanufactured by American Circuit Breaker Corporation, The 2 and 3 poles could handle up to 150 amp on 2 and 3 Poles.

The AIC ratings for the NE are 14,000 at 120 or 240 Volt AC. The NEF is 25,000 at 120 volt (1 Poles). 18,000 at 240 volt and 14,000 at 480 volt  AC.

The Circuit Breakers meet the following standards. UL Standard UL489, UL 486B and UL 1087. The CSA Standard C22.2.

These Circuit Breakers were available with the following accessories, Shunt Trips, Bell Alarms, Under Voltage Releases, Bell Alarms and Fungus and Moisture Treated.

There is currently a replacement circuit breaker that will fit in the same place in distribution panels