Schneider Electric Selector Switch and Power Supply Guide: Old 3310 Numbers, Networking Choices, and the Cisco vs Confusion

Start with Your Scenario, Not a Part Number

About a year ago, our maintenance lead asked me to order a replacement for a cracked selector switch on the packaging line. Then he gave me the number stamped on the old operator: 3310. I typed that into a search engine and got—actually, wait—I got three different results that all looked plausible: an old Square D switch, a 'compatible' substitute, and something that made me wonder if this was also a network module number. That's when I stopped searching and started asking questions.

I'm an office administrator who handles facilities purchasing for a mid-sized site. I report to both operations and finance, so I care about uptime and budget equally.

If you're looking up 'schneider electric selector switch', 'schneider electric power supply', or 'cisco vs', you're not looking for one answer. You're looking for the right answer for your specific situation. This article is a scenario-based guide to make that faster.

First, Understand What 'Schneider Electric vs Cisco' Actually Means

From the outside, 'Cisco vs Schneider Electric' looks like a brand face-off. The reality is that they solve different problems in the same building. Cisco builds network infrastructure: switches, routers, wireless, security appliances. Schneider Electric builds electrical distribution, industrial controls, power supplies, and—through the APC brand—backup power and cooling for IT rooms.

People search 'cisco vs' because they assume one vendor should handle everything. But in most projects, the correct answer is 'both, for their own layers.' I'm not being diplomatic. If you quote only one, you're going to miss either the network or the power side.

Scenario 1: Need a Schneider Electric Selector Switch? Start Here.

If your search includes 'schneider electric selector switch', you're likely replacing a panel-mounted control. The current Schneider Electric family is called Harmony. XB4 is the metal version; XB5 is the plastic version. Both are 22mm panel-mount devices. That difference matters if you're replacing something from the older Square D line, which often used a 30mm cutout.

Now let's talk about '3310'. I want to say 3310 is a legacy Square D catalog-style number for a two-position selector switch assembly, but don't quote me on that. I've seen it in surplus listings and in old-style distributor inventory systems. What I can tell you is that it is not the modern part number you should type into an order form without verification. The modern naming structure is different, and 'compatible' listings can be a trap.

When replacing an old selector switch, gather:

• Panel cutout size (22mm or 30mm)
• Number of positions (2 or 3)
• Operator style (knob, key, illuminated, etc.)
• Contact block configuration (1NO/1NC, 2NO, etc.)
• Maintained versus momentary operation
• Required environmental rating (dust, water, washdown)

I'm not an electrical engineer, so I won't tell you exactly which contacts your circuit needs. What I can tell you from a buyer's perspective is this: take a photo of your old nameplate and the switch body, send it to an authorized distributor, and let them cross-reference. It costs one email. It saves an RMA and a very awkward conversation with the maintenance team.

Here's where my 'small customer' rule applies. The first time I needed a replacement selector switch, the big supplier's system rejected the order because it didn't meet their minimum. A smaller authorized distributor took the time to verify the cross-reference and shipped the part. That distributor now sees thousands of dollars of our orders every year, not because they were cheapest, but because they treated a small order like a real need.

Scenario 2: Need a Schneider Electric Power Supply? Don't Just Look At Volts and Amps.

If you're searching 'schneider electric power supply', you already know you need a DC supply, probably 24V. But don't stop at voltage and current. I learned this the hard way in 2024.

I found a 'compatible' 24V supply at about half the price of the Schneider Electric unit. The upside was around $700 in savings. The risk was a panel fit issue. I kept asking myself: is $700 worth potentially reworking the panel and losing an afternoon? I approved it anyway, because finance loves a savings line.

Even after placing the order, I second-guessed. What if the terminal pitch was different? The lead time was two weeks, and I didn't relax until the box arrived—then immediately tensed up when our technician said the DIN rail clips didn't line up. The replacement cost us the night shift. So no, I don't buy power supplies by part number alone anymore.

When you're ready to order a Schneider Electric power supply, have these details:

• Input voltage range (120VAC, 230VAC, or DC input)
• Output voltage and current (e.g., 24VDC, 2.5A, 5A, 10A)
• Mounting method (DIN rail or panel)
• Certifications required (UL, NEC Class 2, etc.)
• Overload and short-circuit protection expectations

Schneider's current Phaseo/Harmony power supply line covers a lot of those options, but the product names change. I remember ordering 'Phaseo' a few years ago and the same-looking product now appears under the 'Harmony' banner. I might be misremembering the exact suffix; things evolve. Always check the current official catalog at se.com—the schneider-electric domain—or have your distributor quote against it.

Scenario 3: Cisco vs Schneider Electric—For Networks, Know the Layers

Let's handle the 'cisco vs' part head-on. Cisco has a strong reputation in enterprise networking, and that reputation is earned. If you're refreshing an office LAN or adding access switches, Cisco is a solid choice.

Schneider Electric's role in the network conversation is usually one level below the network: power. The APC brand makes UPS systems, rack PDUs, and cooling that keep Cisco gear alive. Schneider also produces industrial network equipment for plant-floor applications where standard office switches often struggle with temperature, vibration, and noise.

So the honest comparison is not 'Cisco vs Schneider Electric' like two interchangeable boxes. It's more like asking whether you need a truck or a fuel station. They often appear on the same project, but they aren't doing the same job.

If your project includes both a network upgrade and a power protection upgrade, plan them together. Ask your Cisco partner about validated designs for hardware, and ask your Schneider/APC partner about the electrical and cooling layer. You'll wind up with a better result than forcing one brand to cover the other's specialty.

How To Decide Which Scenario You're In

Here's a simple way to step out of the search-loop and get an order placed:

1. Are you replacing a cracked or failed panel control? That's Scenario 1. Start with the old part's nameplate and a photo.
2. Are you powering sensors, controllers, or relays? That's Scenario 2. Write down the input source, the load requirement, and the mounting area.
3. Are you upgrading an IT/OT room with new network and backup infrastructure? That's Scenario 3. Involve both the network specialist and the electrical/power specialist.

If you still don't know, call an authorized Schneider Electric distributor and describe what you're connecting, not the part number. A good distributor will ask clarifying questions. If they dismiss you because your order is small, move on. The vendor that helps with a $60 selector switch is the one that gets the bigger project later.

A Final Reminder

This information was accurate as of early 2025. Product names, certifications, and part numbers change faster than any of us would like. I've learned to treat anything that looks like a part number—including '3310'—as a clue, not an answer. Verify it against the current Schneider Electric catalog, have your distributor confirm it, and buy from someone who values the order even when it's small.

Since 2020, I've processed somewhere between 60 and 80 orders per year for electrical and network components. I still don't memorize every part number. I do know that asking one good question beats five bad searches. Start with your scenario, and the right product is much easier to find.