Hi all,
I needed a normally closed momentary switch. From what I've read it seemed like this is what the 92 was but according to my meter the one I got is operating just like a 90 (normally open). Am I missing something?
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The 92 is a 50 watt circuit breaker/reverse controller. It sounds like it may be defective (unless what it is connected to is drawing more than 50 watts.) Another option is a #88 controller.
The late #90 controllers and #92 circuit breakers look almost the same. I wonder whether you actually have a #90.
It says 92 on the base. I don't have anything but the meter hooked up to it. How should the circuit breaker work? I'm asking because the button feels just like my 90s. I would think the breaker would have more of a click to it when the button is pushed.
The breaker doesn't click when you press the button. It clicks when the circuit breaker opens. To me, the button feels about the same as the #90.
The #92 is a manual reset breaker.
If your circuit breaker reads open without pressing the button, maybe it needs to be reset. Press the button all the way down.
If it won't reset, make certain the bottom cover is on all the way. The contacts get pushed against a bump in the base to reset.
Thanks C W. Do you know what holds the contacts down when the breaker is reset?
I am not certain I follow you.
The circuit breaker inside has two leaves. One leaf is a bimetallic strip. When it gets hot, the leaf warps and pops away from the second leaf.
When you press the reset button, it gets warped back.
Sometimes it has to be allowed to cool for a moment or so before it can be reset.
As I posted above, there is a bump in the sheet metal base. When the button is pressed, the leaf is pressed against the bump to warp it back.
Over the years, I think I have had one or two #92 breakers that would not reset because the leaves were bent.
These breakers do not trip quickly like the #91 electromagnetic ones.
That is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you. Can the leaf be bent back into shape? I am not trying to use it as a breaker but rather a normally closed momentary switch where pressing the button will open the circuit.
quote:Can the leaf be bent back into shape?
I would not recommend bending either of the leaves anywhere but right where they are anchored to the binding post. And once you do that, any calibration would be lost, so the current and time required to trip the breaker would be unknown.
Since you are only using it at a Normally closed switch, I don't see a problem.
As an aside, anybody who is looking to use an old Lionel circuit breaker should verify that it is working correctly.
Last question, I think. How does this controller open the circuit when the button is pushed? I’m having trouble seeing how the leaves would be separated by pushing the button.
To be certain, I'd have to open one.
As I recall, the leaves are different lengths. The top leaf is shorter, and does not reach the button. The bottom leaf is long enough to reach the button, and is pushed down and away from the top leaf when you press the button.
Again, this is from memory, and I haven't looked inside a #92 circuit breaker for quite a while.
I don't know whether they were designed to be used as a Normally Closed momentary switch.
Thanks C W.
