Designed for aging infrastructure, this 40-amp, 2-pole molded case circuit breaker offers robust thermal-magnetic protection for commercial and industrial facilities. It acts as an exact replacement that installs into legacy Federal Pacific NE panelboards, ensuring a proper fit without panel modifications. Featuring a bolt-on mounting design and an 18kAIC rating at 240VAC, the NE224040 is HACR rated and reverse feed suitable for versatile, code-compliant power management.
What panelboards are compatible with the NE224040 circuit breaker?
This breaker is designed exclusively for legacy Federal Pacific NE series panelboards. It features a bolt-on connection and will not fit in standard residential load centers or other commercial panel brands.
Is the NE224040 part of the Federal Pacific Stab-Lok residential line?
No. The NE224040 is a commercial-grade molded case circuit breaker with a bolt-on connection, whereas Stab-Lok refers to the brand's residential plug-on breakers. Because Federal Pacific is a legacy manufacturer, all existing panelboards should be regularly inspected by a licensed electrician for signs of thermal damage.
What does the LI trip function indicate on the NE224040?
The LI designation means the thermal-magnetic trip unit provides Long-Time (L) protection for sustained overloads and Instantaneous (I) protection for short circuits. Both the thermal and magnetic trip thresholds are fixed and cannot be adjusted in the field.
What wire sizes are accepted by the load lugs on this breaker?
The included lugs accept conductors ranging from 14 AWG to 2 AWG. When terminating aluminum wiring, always apply an approved oxide-inhibiting compound and torque the connections to the manufacturer specifications to prevent overheating.
Are there modern cross-reference replacements for the NE224040?
Because Federal Pacific is an obsolete brand, exact new-production replacements from the original manufacturer are no longer made. You must use a verified NE frame breaker to fit the existing panelboard bus without unauthorized modifications.
Can the NE224040 be used in reverse feed applications?
Yes, this breaker features a non-interchangeable trip unit and is suitable for reverse feed applications. If used as a back-fed main breaker, it must be properly secured with an approved hold-down kit in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
Can I install this Federal Pacific breaker in a Square D or Siemens panel?
No. Circuit breakers are engineered for specific busbar configurations. The NE224040 is only listed for Federal Pacific NE panelboards. Installing it in a different brand enclosure violates electrical codes and creates severe safety hazards.
How does the NE224040 connect to the panelboard bus?
It utilizes a bolt-on mounting style. The breaker must be mechanically bolted directly to the panelboard busbars. Ensure the panel is completely de-energized before installation and verify that all mounting hardware is properly torqued.
What does the 18kAIC rating mean for this Federal Pacific breaker?
The 18kAIC rating at 240VAC indicates the breaker can safely interrupt up to 18,000 amps of fault current. A licensed electrician or engineer must verify that the available fault current at your specific panel does not exceed this limit to ensure safe operation.
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Reviews
Review summary
Customers rate this product 5.0 out of 5 based on 2 reviews.
Federal Pacific NE233100 - 100A 3 Pole Molded Case Circuit Breaker
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
10/6/25
Had what we needed
needed an old FP breaker SP had it in stock. saved us from downtime
RV
Robert V.
Reviewing
Federal Pacific NE233050 - 50A 3 Pole Molded Case Circuit Breaker
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
5/5/22
Hard to Find
It was a relief to find this working Federal Pacific CB for our church’s Main HVAC supply panel- We are in Florida and it is hot now! services and social events are happening in the cool of the restored AC- thank God!!