Re: Circuit Breaker Compatibility As long as the breaker itself is UL listed and Classified for a particular panel it can be used in that panel even if that breaker is not listed on the panel cover. It has been said on the forum before that there may be warranty issues with contractors installing classified breakers.
What are UL specified circuit breakers?
Specified breakers mean the manufacturer has tested the breakers in the panel and listed them to be used in that panel. You have probably noticed “UL Classified” and interchangeable circuit breakers around the market.
What circuit breakers are interchangeable?
There are charts that show what circuit breakers are interchangeable. For instance, the chart below shows an example of a cross reference of Type CL 1″ breakers that could be interchangeable for panel installations. You can check under the panel column for compatible Eaton UL Classified breakers.
Can I use a classified circuit breaker in a non-listed panel?
As long as the breaker itself is UL listed and Classified for a particular panel it can be used in that panel even if that breaker is not listed on the panel cover.
What breakers are compatible with Square D?
What breaker is compatible with Square D? The Siemens Type QD circuit breakers have been classified by UL for use in place of the Square D Type QO® listed circuit breakers in the Square D UL listed panelboards shown below. Do not use in series rated systems with those panelboards shown in this compatibility list.
What does UL mean on a circuit breaker?
Underwriters Laboratories'The focus of this MP Technical Brief is the regulatory agency Underwriters Laboratories' (UL) Standards for Safety for low-voltage overcurrent protection devices.
What circuit breakers are compatible with General Electric?
What Circuit Breakers Are Compatible With GE Breaker Boxes?GE Fits GE. The safest route is to use GE circuit breakers with GE breaker boxes. ... Siemens fits GE. Siemens breakers can be used in GE breaker boxes, and they are generally known to be compatible. ... Third Party Breakers.
What replaces a T&B breaker?
This handy chart seems to show that the Eaton CL230 breaker is a "Classified" replacement for the Thomas Betts TB230 breaker. Since this is a pretty common breaker sold at national big box home improvement stores it should be straightforward to compare the two.
Are QP and BR breakers interchangeable?
Since all breakers are not interchangeable with QP breakers, using another brand can result in an electrical fire or issues with circuits. Even if a breaker appears to fit in your panel, the connection might not be as secure as a breaker of the correct brand.
What breaker brands are interchangeable?
UL Classified breakers are designed and tested to be both mechanically and electri- cally interchangeable with circuit breakers manufactured by General Electric, Thomas & Betts, ITE/Siemens, Murray, Crouse-Hinds, and Square D.
Are Eaton and GE breakers compatible?
These are UL-CLassified for certain specific competitor panel lines, and overrides the label. It's a specialty breaker that is available only at Eaton dealers. Normally THQL is cheaper, but it's rather useful for early GE panels that THQL breakers are not compatible with.
Will Siemens breaker fit ITE panel?
Luckily, Siemens makes new circuit breakers that can replace the old ITE breakers. The new Siemens breakers will either have the same ITE part number, or its own Siemens part number.
Can I replace a 20 amp circuit breaker with a 30 amp?
The answer is, "No, do not put a 30 Amp breaker in place of a 20 Amp breaker because the wiring is most likely'sized' for the 20 Amp load and -may- overheat if a 30 Amp load is used with wiring sized for a 20 Amp load."
Can I use a Siemens breaker in an Eaton panel?
Designed to fit virtually any panel Eaton's UL classified breakers are designed and tested to be both mechanically and electrically interchangeable with circuit breakers manufactured by General Electric, Thomas & Betts, ITE/Siemens, Murray, Crouse-Hinds, and Square D. Video Player is loading.
Can I replace a QP breaker with a QT?
The Siemens QP, QT, QAF, and QPF are the standard "interchangeable" plug-on type breakers used in loadcenters under several brand names including Siemens, Murray, Gould, and Sylvania to name the most common.
Are Siemens and Square D breakers compatible?
In short, Square D compatible breakers are Siemens, Cutler Hammer, Eaton, GE Breaker, Murray, Westinghouse, and Home Fitline.
What is Type BR breaker?
BR breakers are 1" in Width. BR breakers are black, with black handles (In most cases. Some older styles have multicolored handles.) BR breakers carry a 10 Year Warranty.
What is the interrupting rating on a circuit breaker?
14. Ratings — All circuit breakers with an interrupting rating other than 5000 A are marked with their interrupting rating. If the breaker is not marked with an interrupting rating, the interrupting rating for the breaker is 5000 A. The marking includes the words “Interrupting Rating” or “Current Interrupting Rating” and may include “Maximum RMS Symmetrical,” or an abbreviation. If the interrupting rating includes more than one current and associated voltage rating, all values of voltage and corresponding interrupting rating are marked. If more than one interrupting rating is marked, all ratings appear together. No asymmetrical voltage rating may be marked on the breaker. If the marked interrupting rating of the breaker exceeds the marked short circuit rating of the end-use equipment, such as a panelboard, in which the breaker is installed, the interrupting rating of the overall combination is still considered to be the lesser rating marked on the end-use equipment.
What is UL Listed?
Products that are certified to safety-related standards have been evaluated with regard to all reasonably foreseeable safety-related hazards, including fire, electrical shock and mechanical hazards. Such products are termed “UL Listed.” Products that are certified to a limited range of hazards, or for use under specific conditions are termed “UL Classified”. Alternatively, any of these products can be “UL Certified” and bear the UL Certification Mark.
What is enhanced UL certification?
The enhanced UL Certified Mark makes it possible to bundle multiple UL certifications for multiple geographies into a single Mark design. Today, this mark is used for products certified to U.S., Canadian, European and Japanese requirements. This Mark utilizes a unique identifier to enable stakeholders to search UL’s Online Certifications Directory at www.ul.com/database to quickly to review detailed certification information.
What is the ambient temperature of a circuit breaker?
Ambient Operating Temperature — Some circuit breakers for use in communications equipment have been investigated for use in ambient air at temperatures greater than 40°C. These circuit breakers are marked with either the intended operating ambient temperature or a range of temperatures.
What is the test switch on a circuit breaker?
50. “Test” Function — The “Test” switch on a circuit breaker and ground fault circuit interrupter (CB/ GFCI) is marked to identify its purpose. When the test switch is depressed, a current simulating a ground fault is caused to flow and this should cause the internal mechanism to function to trip the breaker.
What is the type designation on a circuit breaker?
Type Designation—All circuit breakers are marked with their type designation. Normally, this marking also includes a catalog number, because most often the location of additional suffix letters and/or numbers in the catalog number provides additional information on ratings. If the full catalog number is marked, the type designation marking is optional.
What does "on and off" mean on a circuit breaker?
6. On and Off (Open and Closed) — All circuit breakers are marked to indicate whether they are open or closed. This marking is visible without removing the trim or cover. However, if the breaker is enclosed, it may be necessary to open a hinged cover or door.
How far are GE breaker ear mounts off center?
The GE type breakers the mounting ears are centered, Homeline they are off centered by 1/16 inch. Two breakers back to back, note the mounting ear on the left breaker (Homeline) in taller on the bottom. The mounting rail on the panel is also off center by the same amount.
What happens if you put a home line in a GE panel?
One of my pet peeves is "Homeline in other panels myth". If you put a home line in a GE type panel it will be crooked and put pressure on the contacts and it will eventually fail.
Can you install a Classified Breaker anywhere?
In that process, the breakers MUST be tested and listed for use in SPECIFIC panels of competitive suppliers; you cannot willy-nilly install a Classified Breaker anywhere that it will "fit", at least not legally.
Is a GE panel UL listed?
There is NO PANEL that is UL listed using anything other than the ORIGINAL breakers shown in their listing, generally being breakers of the same mfr (although not universally true). So GE PANELS are only listed with GE breakers, Siemens PANELS are only listed with Siemens breakers, etc. etc.
Can a breaker be used in a panel?
BREAKERS are listed for use IN PANELS, but because a breaker mfr can buy any brand of panel and test their breakers inside of it, they can list their breakers as RETROFIT products for EXISTING panels. The official term for this within the UL listing process is referred to as "Classified" listing.