Appleton AE Series Explosionpr...
IN STOCK (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)
$5,054.39
Appleton AE Series Explosionproof Disconnect Switch, Aluminum

Appleton AE Series Explosionproof Disconnect Switch, Aluminum

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Model: AEAB6036DS

In Stock (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)

$5,054.39
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Appleton AE Series Explosionproof Disconnect Switch, Aluminum

The Appleton AE Series delivers explosionproof, dust-ignitionproof fused and non-fused disconnect switches built for areas where hazardous materials are handled or stored. Housed in copper-free (4/10 of 1% max.) aluminum bodies and covers with stainless steel disconnects, operator shafts, cover bolts, and hinges, these units provide overload and short-circuit protection along with control of lighting and power circuits. A gray epoxy powder coat finish inside and out delivers a NEMA 4, 4X rating, and the switches are rated for Class I, Division 1 and 2, Groups B, C, D; Class II, Division 1 and 2, Groups E, F, G; and Class III hazardous locations.

Key Features

  • Durable Construction: Copper-free aluminum bodies and covers paired with stainless steel disconnects, operator shafts, cover bolts, and hinges for long-term corrosion resistance.
  • Explosionproof Design: Precision-machined flame path between box and cover with a neoprene O-ring gasket ensures watertight integrity in hazardous environments.
  • Lockable Operation: External operating handle with stops for limiting travel; disconnect operators can be locked in the ON or OFF position with up to 3 padlocks.
  • Removable Mounting Pan: Disconnects are mounted on a galvanized steel removable pan for simplified installation and service.
  • Secure Hardware: Stainless steel, captive Quad-Lead® cover bolts disengage in 1-1/2 turns; bolt-on stainless steel slotted mounting feet included.
  • Wiring & Drainage: Standard outlets top and bottom for line and load wiring, plus plugged 1/2" outlets top and bottom for breather and drain.
  • Finish: Gray epoxy powder coat inside and outside providing a NEMA 4, 4X rating.
  • Grounding Ready: Ground lug package and installation instructions for termination of ground wire are enclosed.

Certifications & Compliance

  • Class I, Division 1 and 2, Groups B, C, D
  • Class II, Division 1 and 2, Groups E, F, G
  • Class III
  • NEMA 4, 4X

Technical Specifications

  • Standard Finishes: Gray epoxy powder coat inside and outside, providing NEMA 4X rating.
  • Options: 1NO/1NC or 2NO/2NC auxiliary switch, breather, drain, external grounding stud, plastic nameplate.
  • NEC Certifications and Compliances: Class I/II Div. 1 & 2, Groups B, C, D, E, F, G; Class III; NEMA 4, 4X.
  • Standard Materials: Copperfree (4/10 of 1% max.) aluminum bodies/covers; stainless steel disconnects, shafts, bolts, hinges; neoprene O-ring.

Typical Applications

  • Hazardous-Location Electrical Installations
  • Overload and Short-Circuit Protection
  • Control of Lighting and Power Circuits
  • Petrochemical and Industrial Processing Facilities
  • Wet and Outdoor Locations Requiring NEMA 4X Protection

Why Appleton?

Appleton engineers the AE Series with copper-free aluminum construction, stainless steel hardware, and a precision-machined flame path to deliver explosionproof, dust-ignitionproof performance where it matters most. With a NEMA 4, 4X gray epoxy powder coat finish and hazardous-location Class I, II, and III compliance, these disconnect switches are built for reliable, code-compliant performance in demanding industrial and hazardous-duty applications.

Manufacturer Resources

Appleton Full Line Catalog

Product Specs

Product Type:
Disconnect Switch
Product Finish:
Gray Epoxy Powder Coat
Product Material:
Aluminum
Department:
Electrical
Product Group:
Power Distribution
Product Subgroup:
Safety Switches & Disconnects

Appleton AEAB6036DS – Frequently Asked Questions

1) Is the Appleton AE Series disconnect switch rated for Class I Division 1 hazardous locations?
Yes. The AE Series explosionproof disconnect switch is rated Class I, Division 1 and 2, Groups B, C, D; Class II, Division 1 and 2, Groups E, F, G; and Class III. Group B coverage means it can be used in hydrogen atmospheres, not just the more common Groups C and D, which is the detail that usually decides whether a disconnect can go in a given petrochemical or gas-handling area.
2) Can this explosionproof disconnect be used outdoors or in a washdown area?
Yes. The AE Series carries a NEMA 4 and 4X rating from its gray epoxy powder coat applied inside and outside, and the box-to-cover joint uses a precision machined flame path with a neoprene O-ring gasket for watertight integrity. Copper-free aluminum body and cover with stainless steel disconnects, shafts, cover bolts and hinges handle corrosive wet and outdoor service.
3) Can the AE Series disconnect be locked out for LOTO?
Yes. The external operating handle has stops that limit travel, and the operator can be padlocked in either the ON or the OFF position using up to three padlocks. That covers a standard multi-craft lockout where several trades need their own lock on the same disconnect.
4) Does the Appleton AE disconnect come with a breather and drain, or do I have to order them?
The enclosure ships with plugged 1/2 inch outlets top and bottom intended for a breather and a drain, but the breather and drain themselves are listed as options along with a 1NO/1NC or 2NO/2NC auxiliary switch, an external grounding stud, and a plastic nameplate. In a condensing outdoor or process environment, plan on adding the breather and drain fittings to those plugged ports.
5) Can a Square D MD motor disconnect be used in place of the Appleton AE Series in a Class I Division 1 area?
No. The Square D MD 3-pole motor disconnect is supplied in a NEMA 4X enclosure, which addresses washdown and corrosion but is not an explosionproof rating. The Appleton AE Series is built with a precision-machined flame path between box and cover and is rated for Class I, Division 1 and 2, Groups B, C, D; Class II, Division 1 and 2, Groups E, F, G; and Class III, in addition to NEMA 4, 4X. If the opening is a classified hazardous location, the AE Series is the one that carries the hazardous-location listing; the MD suits unclassified wet or outdoor duty.
6) Do I need to specify a fused or non-fused version of the Appleton AE disconnect?
Yes, that is a model-level choice. The AE Series is built in both fused and non-fused versions, so pick the fused one when you want overload and short-circuit protection at the disconnect and the non-fused one when protection is handled upstream and you only need a local means of disconnection.
7) What is included for grounding the AE Series explosionproof disconnect?
A ground lug package and installation instructions for terminating the ground wire are packed with the unit. If your spec calls for an external bonding point on the outside of the enclosure, that is a separate external grounding stud option.
8) How does wiring get into this disconnect, and how is it mounted?
Line and load wiring enter through standard outlets provided at the top and bottom of the enclosure, so it can be fed straight through in a vertical conduit run. The switch assembly itself sits on a galvanized steel removable pan, so the guts can be pulled for service, and bolt-on stainless steel slotted mounting feet are included for wall or strut mounting. Cover bolts are stainless captive Quad-Lead bolts that disengage in 1-1/2 turns.
9) Can I add auxiliary contacts to the AE Series disconnect for a PLC or interlock?
Yes. Auxiliary switch options are offered in 1NO/1NC or 2NO/2NC configurations, which is what you would use to signal switch position back to a controller or to interlock a starter. It is an ordering option, so it has to be called out with the model rather than added in the field.
10) What is a simpler alternative to the Appleton AE Series for a 30A 600V fused disconnect in an unclassified area?
The Square D TeSys GS fuse disconnect switch is a 3-pole, 30A, 600V fused disconnect and covers the fusing function without the hazardous-location construction. The Appleton AE Series is a fused and non-fused disconnect in copper-free aluminum with stainless steel disconnects, shafts, cover bolts and hinges and a neoprene O-ring flame path, which is what the classified-area listing depends on. If the panel location is unclassified and indoors, the TeSys GS is the lighter-duty route.
11) How does the Bryant 30103D compare to the Appleton AE Series disconnect?
The Bryant 30103D is a 600V 3-pole manual disconnect switch from the 103D Series. The Appleton AE Series is an explosionproof, dust-ignitionproof disconnect with an external operating handle that can be padlocked in the ON or OFF position with up to three padlocks, a removable galvanized steel mounting pan, and a gray epoxy powder coat finish inside and out. The Bryant unit is a general-purpose manual switching device; the Appleton unit is specified when the enclosure itself has to contain an ignition source.
12) Which disconnect should I use for a corrosive washdown area that is not classified as hazardous?
The Square D MD 3-pole motor disconnect comes in a NEMA 4X enclosure and is aimed squarely at that duty. The Appleton AE Series also carries NEMA 4, 4X from its gray epoxy powder coat applied inside and outside, over copper-free aluminum with stainless steel hardware, so it will serve a washdown area as well, but it is the choice when hazardous-location compliance is also required.
13) Why copper-free aluminum on an explosionproof enclosure?
Copper content in the AE Series aluminum bodies and covers is held to 4/10 of 1 percent maximum. That matters in petrochemical and process plants where airborne hydrogen sulfide and ammonia attack copper-bearing alloys, which is the usual reason a spec calls out copper-free enclosures for hazardous areas.
14) What is the Appleton model number for this explosionproof disconnect?
It is ordered as Appleton AEAB6036DS, an AE Series explosionproof and dust-ignitionproof disconnect switch in copper-free aluminum with a gray epoxy powder coat finish.
15) If I need a rotary handle disconnect rather than the Appleton AE Series lever operator, what should I look at?
The Square D TeSys VLS offers a protruding rotary handle in a 65x65 mm format for door- or panel-mounted operation. The Appleton AE Series uses an external operating handle with travel stops on an explosionproof enclosure, with stainless steel operator shafts and captive Quad-Lead cover bolts that disengage in 1-1/2 turns. Choose the TeSys VLS where a standard rotary handle interface on an enclosure door is wanted, and the AE Series where the disconnect has to sit in a Class I, II or III location.
How fast can I get the Appleton AEAB6036DS delivered?
Most orders ship the same day from our distribution partners, with quick delivery throughout the continental U.S. Need it urgently? Contact Us for expedited shipping options.
Can I return it if it doesn’t work for me?
Yes—ZenSupply offers a hassle-free return policy. If the product isn’t the right fit, reach out to our support team for a return authorization or setup a return by following our return instructions.
Does the Appleton AEAB6036DS come with a warranty?
Absolutely. The Appleton AEAB6036DS is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. For full warranty terms, check the product documentation or Contact Us.
How do I get technical support or installation help for the Appleton AEAB6036DS?
You can call, text, or email our expert support team for fast answers. We’re here to help with product selection, installation tips, and troubleshooting. Contact Us
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