Effective May 2010 Technical Publication PU01200001E

Reverse-feed applications
for circuit breakers

Contents
Description Page
Intoduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Circuit breaker classifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Standards requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
UL 489Molded case circuit breakers, molded case switches, and circuit-breaker enclosures . . . . . . 2
Testing requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Marking requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
UL 1066Low voltage AC and DC power circuit breakers used in enclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Special application considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Circuit breakers with integral ground-fault protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Molded case circuit breakers with external ground-fault/earth leakage accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Miniature circuit breakers with integral ground-fault and arcing-fault protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2
Technical Publication PU01200001E
Effective May 2010
Reverse-feed applications
for circuit breakers

EATON CORPORATION www.eaton.com
Introduction
Circuit breakers may be applied in panelboard, switchboard, or motor
control center installations where there may occasionally be multiple
sources of power, as shown in Figure 1. For example, these may
be applications that require high uptime and high reliability require-
ments. For these requirements, permanent, fixed mount, or portable
electrical generator systems, with an appropriate automatic transfer
switching system, are made available to supplement the normal
utility power supply source. In other instances, the second power
source may be from a so-called alternate energy source, such as
that derived from solar photo-voltaic or from wind power electric
systems. Similarly, these alternate energy sources are also typically
connected as a supplement to the normal utility power sources.
As electrical load demand conditions change, the user may switch
between using power from the normal utility source to the alter-
nate power source, and vice versa. Whenever this switch in power
source occurs, the terminals of the circuit breaker that the power
is connected to will have been reversed. This reversal in the way
that power is connected to a circuit breaker is called reverse-feed.
Reverse-feed (or back feed) refers to a way that the conductors
supplying current are connected to a circuit breaker.
Figure 1. Circuit Breaker Fed from Multiple Power
Supply Sources
In other applications where there is a single power source,
circuit breakers may be mounted in an electrical enclosure where
the cables from the power source are fed to the bottom of the
enclosure. In this case, it may be a matter of convenience for the
installation to simply connect the power source conductors to the
terminals at the bottom of the circuit breaker that are closest to the
incoming power supply conductors. This connection of the power
supply source to the circuit breakers bottom terminals will also
result in power being applied in a reverse-feed manner.
There are different classifications and types of circuit breakers
that exist, and they should be carefully considered when used in
reverse-feed applications described above. Depending on the type
of circuit breaker, as listed below, reverse-feeding of that circuit
breaker may or may not be suitable for that application.
Circuit breaker classifications
Low voltage circuit breakers fall into two basic classifications
of design.
1. Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs)
per ULT 489 Standard
2. Low Voltage Power Circuit Breakers (LVPCBs)
per UL 1066 Standard
Standards requirements
UL 489Molded case circuit breakers, molded case
switches, and circuit breaker enclosures
Per UL 489, there are clear test performance and marking require-
ments for circuit breakers and molded case switches that are
UL Listed as being suitable for reverse-feed applications. UL 489
requires reverse-feed circuit breakers to meet certain construction
requirements, and to be tested and marked accordingly, as follows:
1. Tested per UL 489, Paragraph 7.1.1.18
2. Markings per UL 489, Paragraph 9.1.1.13
Testing requirements
Per UL 489, Paragraph 7.1.1.18: Except for single-pole circuit
breakers tested singly, if a circuit breaker is not marked Line
and Load, one sample of each set tested, or one additional
sample, shall be connected with the line and load connections
reversed during the overload, endurance and interrupting tests.
This UL test requirement specifies that for circuit breakers and
molded case switches to be UL Listed for reverse-feed applications,
samples shall be tested with the line and load terminals reverse-fed,
as shown in Figure 2, and that the test results shall be the same as
those of normally fed circuit breakers.
Depending on the design configuration and construction, the circuit
breaker may or may not be affected by the application of power in
a reverse-feed connection during these tests.
Figure 2. Circuit Breaker Connections for Reverse-Feed
Testing per UL 489
52 NC
Bus #1
Load Load
Bus #2
NO
Utility #1
This Circuit Breaker May Be
Reverse-Fed Depending on
Its Connection to Either of the
Utility Power Sources
Utility #2
NC 52
52
52 52
Top Side of
Circuit Breaker
Load Connected
to Top Side of
Circuit Breaker
Power
Source
Circuit
Breaker
Load
Bottom Side of
Circuit Breaker
Power Source
Connected to
Bottom Side
of Circuit Breaker
3
Technical Publication PU01200001E
Effective May 2010
Reverse-feed applications
for circuit breakers

EATON CORPORATION www.eaton.com
Marking requirements
Per UL 489 Paragraph 9.1.1.13: Circuit breakers shall be marked
Line and Load unless the construction and test results are
acceptable with the line and load connections reversed.
This marking requirement specifies that UL Listed circuit breakers
and molded case switches shall be marked with the word Line
on one end of the circuit breaker and the word Load on the other
end, as shown in Figure 3, if they are unable to successfully meet
the reverse-feed test requirements per Paragraph 7.1.1.18 of UL
489. Conversely, a UL Listed circuit breaker does not have to be
marked with Line and Load if it successfully meets the reverse-
feed test requirements.
Figure 3. Circuit Breakers Showing Line and Load
Markings, per UL 489
General rule
Cannot be Reverse-Fed:
When a UL Listed molded case circuit breaker and a molded case
switch (not shown) are marked showing Line and Load, the
power supply conductors must be connected to the end marked
Line. These devices cannot be reverse-fed.
Can be Reverse-Fed:
If Line and Load are not marked on the UL Listed
molded case circuit breaker, the power supply conductors
may be connected to either end. These devices are suitable
for reverse-feed applications.
Line and
Load Markings
UL 1066Low voltage AC and DC power circuit breakers
used in enclosures
As part of the standard test programs required by UL 1066
(referenced to ANSI/IEEET C37.50-1989) for low voltage power
circuit breakers, tests are conducted that, when successfully
completed, demonstrate that the circuit breaker may be applied
in a reverse-feed configuration.
These are mandatory tests that are done as part of the short-circuit
current tests per Table 3 in Sequence II (Power-Operated Circuit
Breaker with Dual Trip Device) of ANSI/IEEE C37.50-1989. As part
of this sequence, tests are to be performed with opposite
terminals energized.
During these specified sequences of tests, the circuit breaker is
energized in a reverse-feed configuration, and the satisfactory
completion of these tests demonstrates their ability to be used in
reverse-feed applications. Therefore, all low voltage power circuit
breakers that are listed per UL 1066 may be reverse-fed.
General rule
Can be Reverse-Fed:
Low voltage power circuit breakers that are listed
per UL 1066 may be reverse-fed.
Special application considerations
Circuit breakers with integral ground-fault protection
Many of Eatons UL Listed molded case and low voltage
power circuit breakers have design options and schemes that
allow for the detection and interruption of unwanted ground-fault
currents. In these ground-fault protection schemes, the means
for ground-fault detection are either integral to the circuit breaker
or externally mounted.
The ground-fault detection means commonly consist of current
sensors and control logic circuitry that may be connected in various
configurations as follows:
1. Separate current sensors that monitor each phase circuit
and the neutral circuit conductors, as shown in Figure 4
2. One current sensor that monitors all phases and the
neutral circuit conductors together (not shown)
3. One current sensor that monitors the ground
circuit conductor (not shown)
Figure 4. Circuit Breaker with Integral Ground-Fault Protection
The interruption of ground-fault currents is done by the circuit
breaker opening all three-phase conductor circuits at the same time,
in response to a trip signal from the ground-fault detection means.
Top Side of
Circuit Breaker
Neutral
Circuit
Conductor
Neutral Circuit
Current Sensor
Three-Phase
Current Sensors
Control Logic
Circuitry
Circuit
Breaker
Ground-Fault
Detection Means
Bottom Side of
Circuit Breaker
Electronic
Trip Unit
Load
Power
Source
4
Technical Publication PU01200001E
Effective May 2010
Reverse-feed applications
for circuit breakers

EATON CORPORATION www.eaton.com
Therefore, whenever an unwanted ground-fault condition exists, a
UL Listed circuit breaker with ground-fault protection will detect and
interrupt the ground-fault current flow.
In reverse-feed applications, while the primary phase currents and
the ground currents have been interrupted with the opening of the
circuit breaker, voltage at the circuit breakers terminals may or may
not cause damage to the components of the ground-fault protec-
tion system. If components in the detection means or control logic
circuitry of the ground-fault (or the phase current) protection system
may be damaged by reverse-feed connections, then the circuit
breaker must be marked accordingly. In this case, where the circuit
breaker with ground-fault protection is not suitable for reverse-feed
applications, the circuit breakers terminals are marked with Line
and Load to indicate the required terminal connection points for
the power supply source (Line) and the load (Load).
Conversely, there are Eaton circuit breaker design configurations
where the components in the ground-fault (or phase current)
protection system are unaffected by reverse-feed connections,
and are suitable for those applications. These circuit breakers are
not marked with Line and Load, to indicate that they are suit-
able for reverse-feed connectionsthe power supply source may
be connected to the terminals at either end of the circuit breaker.
A circuit breaker with integral ground-fault protection may be
reverse fed if it is not marked with Line and Load. The UL
Listed mark that is applied on this circuit breaker with integral
ground-fault protection indicates that it has successfully met the
UL test requirements for reverse feed applications.
General rule
Cannot be Reverse-Fed:
When a UL Listed circuit breaker is marked showing Line and
Load, the power supply conductors must be connected to the
end marked Line. These devices cannot be reverse-fed.
Can be Reverse-Fed:
If Line and Load are not marked on the UL Listed circuit
breaker, the power supply conductors may be connected to either
end. These devices are suitable for reverse-feed applications.
Molded case circuit breakers with external ground-fault/
earth leakage accessories
There are ground-fault current detection schemes that require sensi-
tivity down to relatively low current levels, typically as low as 30 mA.
These products are called ground-fault/earth leakage modules.
Figure 5. Molded Case Circuit Breakers with Earth
Leakage Modules
Eatons molded case circuit breakers are available with UL Listed
ground-fault (earth leakage) modules that are typically mounted
external to the bottom end of the circuit breaker, as shown in
Figure 5. These modules are self-contained with a current
sensor and logic control circuitry all located inside the product.
Depending on the design configuration and construction of these
earth leakage modules, some of these products may or may not be
suitable for reverse-feed applications. Each product is marked with
a label containing text that describes their suitability for reverse-feed
applications, as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7.
Figure 6. Earth Leakage Module Suitable for
Reverse-Feed Applications
Figure 7. Earth Leakage Modules Not Suitable for
Reverse-Feed Applications
ote: N The only acceptable combination of circuit breakers and earth
leakage modules that should be used in reverse-feed applications is where
BOTH 1) the circuit breaker is not marked Line and Load, and 2) the
earth leakage module is not marked Line and Load, and not marked
Do not reverse-feed.
General rule
Cannot be Reverse-Fed:
When either a UL Listed circuit breaker is marked showing
Line and Load, or the earth leakage module is marked as
unsuitable for reverse-feed, the power supply conductors MUST
be connected to the Line end of the circuit breaker. These
devices cannot be reverse-fed.
Can be Reverse-Fed:
If Line and Load are not marked on the UL Listed
circuit breaker, and the earth leakage module is marked as
suitable for reverse-feed, the power supply conductors may
be connected to either end. These devices are suitable for
reverse-feed applications.
Circuit
Breaker
Earth
Leakage
Module
Marking Showing
Do Not Reverse Feed
Marking Showing Where
Load Must Be Connected
5
Technical Publication PU01200001E
Effective May 2010
Reverse-feed applications
for circuit breakers

EATON CORPORATION www.eaton.com
Miniature circuit breakers with integral
ground-fault and arcing-fault protection
Eatons molded case circuit breakers are available with UL Listed
ground-fault current protection levels that are able to detect and trip
on ground-fault currents as low as 5 mA for personnel protection,
and at 30 mA for sensitive electrical equipment. Eaton also has
circuit breakers that provide low-level 30 mA arcing-fault protection
in residential applications. The constructions of these circuit break-
ers are typically in a single-pole or two-pole configuration, and with
continuous ampere ratings of 15A through 100A. Due to their
relative small size and low continuous ampere ratings, these types
of molded case circuit breakers are commonly called miniature
circuit breakers.
The 5 mA designs for personnel protection are known
as ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)
The 30 mA designs for equipment protection are known
as ground-fault equipment protectors (GFEP)
The circuit breaker designs for arcing-fault protection are
known as arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI)
While the overall performance of the circuit breaker is governed
by UL 489 for molded case circuit breakers, the specific 5 mA
personnel protection performance is per UL 943 ground-fault circuit
interrupters, and the specific 30 mA performance for sensitive
electrical equipment is per UL 1053, ground-fault sensing and
relaying equipment. The AFCI performance requirements are
governed by UL 1699.
For these AFCI, GFCI, and GFEP ground-fault protection designs,
when the circuit breaker is closed, the control power for the ground-
fault control logic circuitry is typically connected to the Load side
of the circuit breaker. Whenever a ground-fault condition occurs, the
detection means and control logic circuit will operate and cause the
circuit breakers main current-carrying contacts to open without any
intentional delay, and will interrupt the flow of the fault current. This
instantaneous trip minimizes electrical shock hazards to personnel
in GFCIs, and minimizes the flow of potentially damaging currents
to sensitive electrical equipment in GFEP applications. In addition to
the interruption of the ground-fault current, the detection means and
control logic circuitry also rely on the main current-carrying contacts
to open and disconnect the currents that flow though the detection
and trip system.
If power is applied to the Line terminals, and the load is con-
nected to the Load terminals in a normal feed configuration,
whenever the circuit breaker trips and the main current-carrying
contacts open, the ground-fault current is interrupted and control
power is also disconnected from the detection means and control
logic circuitry of the ground-fault system, as shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8. Miniature AFCI, GFCI, and GFEP Circuit Breaker
Connected in Normal Feed Configuration
Circuit Breaker
Contacts Open
Neutral
Circuit
Conductor
Ground-Fault
Detection Means and
Control Logic Circuitry
Control Power
Connection for Control
Logic Circuitry
Circuit
Breaker
No Voltage
Present
Bottom Side of
Circuit Breaker
Load
Ground
Power
Source
When the circuit breaker trips and control power is disconnected
from the control logic circuitry, no further current flows through the
control logic circuitry to ground.
On the other hand, if power is applied to the Load terminals,
whenever the AFCI, GFCI, and GFEP circuit breaker trips and the
main current-carrying contacts open, the ground-fault current is
interrupted, but control power continues to be applied to the ground-
fault detection and control logic circuit of the ground-fault system,
as shown in Figure 9. The presence of the control power will cause
current to continually flow through the control logic circuitry. The
effect of this continuous current may or may not degrade the
performance of the control logic circuitry over time.
Figure 9. Miniature AFCI, GFCI, and GFEP Circuit Breaker
Connected in Reverse-Feed Configuration
Depending on the design configuration, the ground-fault detection
means and control logic circuit of AFCI, GFCI, and GFEP miniature
circuit breakers may be affected by this reverse-feed application.
If the AFCI, GFCI, and GFEP circuit breaker is not able to be con-
nected and applied in a reverse-feed configuration, the terminals
will be marked Line and Load.
General rule
Cannot be Reverse-Fed:
When a UL Listed circuit breaker is marked showing Line and
Load, the power supply conductors MUST be connected to the
end marked Line. These devices cannot be reverse-fed.
Can be Reverse-Fed:
If Line and Load are not marked on the UL Listed circuit
breaker, the power supply conductors may be connected to either
end. These devices are suitable to be reverse-feed applications.
Circuit Breaker
Contacts Open
Top Side of
Circuit Breaker
Ground-Fault
Detection Means and
Control Logic Circuitry
Control Power
Connection for Control
Logic Circuitry
Circuit
Breaker
Voltage Still
Present
Bottom Side of
Circuit Breaker
Load
Ground
Power
Source
6
Technical Publication PU01200001E
Effective May 2010
Reverse-feed applications
for circuit breakers

EATON CORPORATION www.eaton.com
Summary
Molded case circuit breakers, UL Listed per UL 489, have specific
test and marking requirements to demonstrate that the circuit
breaker is suitable for reverse-feed applications.
The capabilities of UL 1066 Listed low voltage power circuit
breakers for reverse-feed applications are verified as part of standard
circuit breaker test sequences.
If a circuit breaker and molded case switch are marked Line
and Load, it is not suitable for reverse-feed applications
Only circuit breakers and molded case switches without Line
and Load markings are suitable for reverse-feed applications
m WARNING
FOR ALL TYPES OF EATONS CIRCUIT BREAKERS, DO NOT CONNECT THE
POWER SOURCE TO CIRCUIT BREAKER TERMINALS MARKED LOAD.
For a list of Eatons circuit breakers that are suitable for reverse-feed
applications, visit www.eaton.com.
7
Technical Publication PU01200001E
Effective May 2010
Reverse-feed applications
for circuit breakers

EATON CORPORATION www.eaton.com
Eaton Corporation
Electrical Sector
1111 Superior Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44114
United States
877-ETN-CARE (877-386-2273)
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2010 Eaton Corporation
All Rights Reserved
Printed in USA
Publication No. PU01200001E / Z9837
May 2010
PowerChain Management is a registered
trademark of Eaton Corporation.
All other trademarks are property of their
respective owners.
Technical Publication PU01200001E
Effective May 2010
Reverse-feed applications
for circuit breakers