Square D--QO vs. Homeline?

[Anonymous-0]

I have 4 breaker boxes on my property; all of them being Square D QO (I think the letters are QO.) I've never figured breaker boxes were a place to save a couple bucks, but what are the differences between QO and Homeline? I know Homeline breakers are a little wider, don't have a red indicator showing when they're tripped, and snap in differently, but is there a difference in quality?

Thanks,
Glenn F.

 

[Lee in Iowa]

Hi again, I don't know if there's any difference between the two or not, but I refuse to buy the homeline because I don't want to keep 2 different kinds of breakers around. When I needed one for the garage, and the store only had homeline indoor boxes, I bought an outdoor box. Lee

 

[DickelDawg]

Square D "QO" style panelboards, breakers, etc. have been around for MANY years. The newer style Square D "Homeline" products are an "economical" updated item. I've used Square D "QO" products for more years than I care to remember and have had no problems with them. A few years ago Square D was bought out by the Schneider group, a France based outfit. Since then I've tried to use other brands as much as I can.

 

[JDemaris]

I've done several installations with Homeline boxes and breakers dating back around 10 years - so the Homeline stuff isn't all that new. I've never had a problem with any of it - but I can't say I've ever had a problem with any brand.
Years back, the standard in my area was Cutler Hammer CH series -that because the major local wholesaler carried that as the main brand and CH breakers were the cheapest.
Not any more.

Square D QO has one advantage that probably means nothing to you. The QO breakers are DC rated as well as AC - whereas most other home-use equipment is AC only. So, QO get used a lot in solar-electric work where DC wiring is done.

 

[RobMD]

It"s just a miserable mess in a home depot. I know one trip to get a QO 15 amp breaker resulted in me mistaking a homeline breaker for one. SO back to the store I went, and wishing that they never made the stupid homeline junk.

Keep things simple, square D!

 

[1936]

Square D pulled out of NC and went to Mexico. The empty building was pointed out to me. Have no idea if the quality changed?

 

[Bus Driver]

I think the QO is the better of the two. While most home installations will never need many of the various types of breakers available, the QO has a tremendous variety. QO is often used in commercial and industrial installations. Nothing would prohibit the use of Homeline in such places, but most installers would not do so.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I believe that I read once where the Homeline has an aluminum buss where the breakers snap in and make contact and the QO has a copper buss.

 

[Gary in Geneva]

Homeline is the same physical breaker as Bryant, GE, Seamens, etc. QO is slightly better, but the gap is closing compared to 40 years ago.

 

[Bill in IL]

I think like lee does too and try to keep one type of breaker around but I use the homeline version cause they are universal with GE, Seimons and Cutler Hammer BR type. It makes it easy to find a breaker anywhere even though the square D QO are probably about the most sensitive for overload protection. Using them around the farm in the winter I have noticed the QO to be the worst and the homeline to be the best. A little bit of cold weather and the QO's witch were inside the silo room would have to be taken out and heated up before I could get them working. One would think ice in the breaker but they were sheltered. The homeline's were out in the weather and they never missed a days work.

 

[Gene Davis (Ga.)]

If you want a nightmare just get a Federal Pacfic box and breakers!

 

[dave guest]

Square D QO was the industry standard l5 years ago. Homeline was imported.

 

[dave guest]

Square D QO was the industry standard l5 years ago. Homeline was imported.