What are UL Classified and interchangeable Breakers?
These are breakers that have been tested in panels that they are approved for, similar to manufacturer specified breakers. Essentially, they are a different brand from the panel manufacturer but are still in their electrical service panel. There’s a little controversy about UL Classified and interchangeable breakers.
Are Eaton Breakers UL Classified?
However, Eaton and the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) would disagree. Public safety is a factor, which is why a third party, like the UL, lists suitable manufacturer replacement breakers (UL Classified). These breakers meet UL and NEC code regulations. UL has stated that people must adhere to all manufacturer supplied instructions.
Which breakers are interchangeable for panel installations?
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.
Are classified and interchangeable Breakers a problem?
Some manufacturers have no problem with Classified breakers while others do. Manufacturers like Square D warns against the use of Classified and interchangeable breakers. They site the National Electrical Code (NEC) Section 110-3 (b), which states that using breakers not listed or labeled is a code violation.
What brands of circuit breakers 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.
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.
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.
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.
What is the difference between UL 489 and UL 1077?
A UL 489 device can be used as branch circuit protection and for supplementary protection. However, UL 1077 devices are only acceptable for providing supplementary protection where there is branch circuit protection ahead of it.
What does Hacr rated mean?
HACR Rated Circuit Breaker HACR stands for Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration breaker. HACR rated breakers open within a specified time curve, similar to a fuse, to protect group motor equipment (fans for combustion air, exhaust control, heated air handling, AC compressors, etc).
What breakers are interchangeable with Eaton?
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.
Can you mix circuit breaker brands?
Never place a different brand circuit breaker in a circuit breaker panel of a different brand. Contrary to the belief that they are all the same and will work in any circuit breaker panel, the fact is just the opposite. Circuit breakers may actually fit, but not properly.
Can you put a Square D breaker in a GE panel?
On your panel, we can strike out the Square D breakers immediately. Square D is absolutely opposed to "Classified" breakers. They refuse to make classified breakers for competitor panels, and they object to the use of Classified breakers in their panels (not that they have anything to say about it).
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.
Will a Siemens breaker fit in a GE panel?
Siemens breakers can be used in GE breaker boxes, and they are generally known to be compatible. Match the size and voltage requirements when using Siemens breakers, as using the wrong breakers can have dangerous results.
Are Siemens QP and QT breakers interchangeable?
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.
What is a UL classified circuit breaker?
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. These are breakers that have been tested in panels that they are approved for, similar to manufacturer specified breakers.
Is using breakers not listed or labeled a violation of the electrical code?
They site the National Electrical Code (NEC) Section 110-3 (b), which states that using breakers not listed or labeled is a code violation. Their argument is for public safety drawing evidence from past accidents due to the use of Classified breakers in their panel.
Can you use UL classified breakers in panelboard?
Otherwise, just replace the same type of existing breakers in the box. Manufacturers would want to specify their own breakers for use in their panelboards for obvious financial reasons. However, remember you have options with UL Classified breakers like the chart above. Some electricians use Classified breakers for obvious reasons, whether for price, availability, or convenience. But which ever circuit breakers you go with, make sure to install them safely.
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 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 a 72 rating?
72. Ratings — All circuit breakers provided with accessories are marked to identify the accessories installed. This includes the accessory type, electrical ratings and proper connections, if the connections are not obvious. The electrical ratings include the voltage rating, and ac or the frequency in Hertz, dc, or both, as appropriate for all accessories. For alarm and auxiliary switches, the marking also includes either an ampere or pilot-duty rating. For shunt trip accessories, over- and under-voltage trip accessories and electrical operators, the marking also includes either an ampere or VA rating.
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 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.