Luckily, there are several acceptable alternative brands that you can use in place of your Bryant breaker. Circuit breakers were one of their biggest products in years past, but production has steadily declined in recent decades. I have a Milbank box with a Seimens breaker in it. For this circuit, you need a GFCI breaker to keep people from getting electrocuted or hurt. In 2020, the requirements were updated to include other rooms where water is present like kitchens and bathrooms. Some of these devices still need to be produced even though dissimilar circuit breakers must be replaced with a similar brand and model. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. What Breakers Can Replace Murray Circuit Breakers? - Relectric Do I need , Do you often buy a new ballast for your car? Manufacturers like Eaton, GE, and Siemens are a few of the more established brands that first offered dual-function breakers. (Answered), How Many Watts is 30 Amps? In 1994, Eaton bought Westinghouses Distribution and Control Business Unit (DCBU) and combined it with their Cutler-Hammer business unit to make a new solid company. The first option you should consider for replacing your Bryant breaker is a CB made by Eaton or Cutler-Hammer. 503-505-7879. Luckily, Homeline breakers are available at Lowes and Home Depot stores. I established this blog after eight years of experience designing, installing, and maintaining electrical power systems. Serving Washington communities including: Vancouver, Camas,Salmon Creek, Five Corners,Hazel Dell,Battle Ground,La Center,Hockinson,Lewisville, Venersborg,Ridgefield,Mill Plain, Amboy, Kalama, Kelso, Longview, Skamania, Stevenson, Washougal, Woodland and Yacolt. While the circuit breakers from Challenger have always been iffy, the panel boxes are sound. Even with the name of the company which makes them, Square D, Eaton, and Cutler-Hammer are usable with Westinghouse circuit breakers. Whether you need to replace an outlet, hang a ceiling fan, a new electrical panel, or repair wiring, We Can Help! Model # THQL1120. 3 Answers Sorted by: 9 TLDR: They're all wrong. Real Westinghouse molded-case circuit breakers have a black or grey cover on the front. Replacing a panel box is expensive work, so you should locate an acceptable replacement for the breaker if possible unless the box presents a safety hazard. Square D is the first brand I would recommend, thanks to its sturdy construction, reliability, and ease of working with. Explained. You can find the exact features for your replacement breaker in other brands, but sometimes, these do not fit in your load center. The Siemens/Murray line of breakers comes in three interrupting rating options -- 10kAIC, 22kAIC, and 65kAIC. They wont give their certification to a breaker unless they have proven firsthand that you can use it safely in other panel boxes. (Answered), How Many Amps Does a Sump Pump Draw? A circuit breakers features and values must also be based on the electrical codes in your area. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. In addition to everything else they produce, GE is a leader in panel boxes and circuit breakers. Consist of two single-pole breakers with one handle and a shared trip mechanism. There are restrictions on which Bryant and Challenger breakers are compatible with Square D. Additionally, although QO is another subtype of Square D, the two breakers are incompatible. As home inspectors you guys don't usually pull covers off panels to check inside, do you? If there are marks on the front cover screw, someone has tried to open the breaker. Nonprofit Home Inspections mission is to broaden access to and improve the quality of information readily available to homeowners by training home inspectors to deliver a higher level and variety of inspection services, making sure quality home inspection services are available to every home owner, regardless of their ability to pay, and disseminating free information. Westinghouse was the first company to make circuit breakers, and the molded case circuit breaker has always been its main product. Generator Interlock Kit Compatible with Siemens 200 Amp Panel or Murray But I still find it hard to search for the breakers. Leave your comments below, and lets discuss. Location: New Hampshire. Is there a legal reason that organizations often refuse to comment on an issue citing "ongoing litigation"? Therefore, the brand should be the primary consideration while shopping for a new Westinghouse circuit breaker. If we do that, we get five main types: Gas, Oil, Hybrid, Air, and Vacuum. The information shared here should help you identify circuit breaker type that is available to you. How to find out what breakers are compatible with my panel? Unfortunately, if Murray made your breaker box or circuit breaker before 2002, theres no guarantee that Siemens will be compatible with it. For the most part, as long as the model numbers match up, Square D is compatible with other major brands such as Siemens, Cutler-Hammer, Eaton, GE, Murray, Homeline, and Westinghouse. 7 Steps, What Gauge Wire Do I Need for a 30-Amp Breaker? However, which circuit breakers can be installed in what electrical panels can be a controversial topic with several differing opinions. Call us 24/7. In most cases, however, even if the breakers look similar, they have different functionalities and operate in different ways. Internet # 100356508. The unit has a dedicated calibration screw which . Now, youre wondering Can you connect two generator cords together? The short answer is yes, you can use more than , Do you often buy a new ballast for your car? Theyre termed as ground fault circuit interrupters because they function like standard breakers but can also prevent ground faults, which are more prevalent in wet environments and may lead to electrocutions. Circuit Breakers - Midwest Equipment Midwest Electric Products is an industry leader in manufacturing quality weatherproof electrical equipment. Homeline is Square Ds subtype, as discussed in the next section. May 20, 2015 Midwest usually has most of the big brands listed if I remember right. What Breakers are Compatible with Westinghouse? There may be differences that an outside investigation cant find. As said earlier, Westinghouse circuit breakers are compatible with Square D, Eaton, and Cutler-Hammer because they have the same ownership. Regular circuit breakers are often ideal for delivering and managing currents , During winter, many individuals depend on space heaters to keep them warm. Westinghouse had an air circuit breaker line that worked with low voltage. The only difference is that they have a vacuum chamber where the arc will be directed once abnormal electrical conditions arise. The NEMA 3R design insures a safe,weather-tight installation. Do I use the Siemens Type Q Breaker in ITE Blueline Loadcenter panel? Hello, I'm Sam. Its necessary to replace circuit breakers when they get too old or malfunction. Dennis Alwon Moderator Staff member Location Chapel Hill, NC Occupation Retired Electrical Contractor Aug 21, 2012 #2 Ge breakers. In addition, in a main breaker panelboard such as yours, a breaker with a lower rating can be used because it receives a higher series rating by way of being "backed up" by the panelboard's heftier main breaker. Here, we fix components like Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), diodes, transistors, inductors, and integrated circuits , Using the best soldering gun is much easier, safer, and comfortable than using a pen-type soldering iron. Unfortunately, without experience in electrical maintenance, homeowners often dont know how to do so. (Answered), How Many Amps Does a Sump Pump Draw? Eaton-Cutler Hammer type "BR" breakers are the UL listed interchangeable breakers for old Bryant panels. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Is it weird how saying sentences backwards creates backwards sentences saying how weird it is? What Breakers are Compatible with Challenger? When that happens, it's vital to know what kind of breaker you need and whether or not you can get a different brand than what you currently have. Whether you're looking for molded, mini or 1, 2 & 3 pole circuit breakers, we've got you covered! It has been fun to work with Andrew and apply his incredible knowledge to our content. How Do I Know if My HID Ballast is Bad? What if the numbers and words I wrote on my check don't match? You are using an out of date browser. Nonprofit Home Inspections | Licensed, Bonded and Insured, Home Inspector Training Washington State, Personal Protective Equipment for Home Inspectors. Galvin Power is reader-supported. (Answered), How Many Amps Does a 3 Ton Air Conditioner Use? In addition to Murray, Siemens has several breaker subtypes that are often compatible with traditional Siemens breakers. Im talking about being able to interrupt currents as high as 200 amps in mere milliseconds! Eaton is the most commonly acceptable and readily available replacement. Change of equilibrium constant with respect to temperature, Sound for when duct tape is being pulled off of a roll. Do you want to save money by extending your HID ballasts life? As a result, finding a Challenger circuit breaker is extremely challenging. When a Westinghouse breaker has to be changed, you have many options. JavaScript is disabled. While this may sound like name-brand versus generic-brand similar to other products, there is some controversy around whether interchangeable breakers are acceptable replacements for manufacturer specified breakers. Is there a better way to find these breakers? Make sure to consult a professional electrician when installing circuit breakers or anything else electrical. The box says that my panel it is UL Listed for Siemens and Murray breakers. Single-poles provide a 120-volt service and have amp ratings that range between 15 to 20 amps. Keep in mind that Cutler Hammer breakers are still available; there are fewer worldwide. Pedestal Service Entrance. Different vintages breakers in main panel, How do I fill the space in a breaker panel, when replacing two tied breakers, What's the difference between these regular vs "QAF" "Plug-On" circuit breakers? I had an inspector tell me one time, that the issue was not only what breakers are UL listed as interchangeable, but whether the manufacturer would warranty their panel if it had another manufacturers breaker in it. 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. If this question enters your mind, you may want to install a new circuit or upgrade an old circuit. The same company makes both the Eaton and Westinghouse brands. (20A 2-pole CAFCI). It sounds like just an assumption of what might happen. This gives me a unique ability to give you expert home improvement and DIY recommendations. Often, this date code is erased to make the breaker look brand new. Education: University Of Denver - Electric Engineering Get FREE estimates from licensed electricians in your area today. Much like gas breaker switch types, these breakers use oil to quench the arc. Any circuit breaker that combines the different interrupting mechanisms explained here can be considered a hybrid breaker. Types of Circuit Breakers - Lowe's Most breakers have two contacts, which, once reached by the arc, will open and give access to the oil deposited within their respective constructions. Square D isnt always ok for use in the other panel boxes. It should also be noted that, while these brands are okay for use in a Square D panel box, the feeling isnt always mutual. I just had one that could use a BR, ITE OR GE The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Theyre recommended in newer homes for their easy installation and close to complete protection against most electrical hazards. The larger options are more costly due to extra internal equipment needed to break bigger arcs, and are only necessary in commercial work where larger services and feeders capable of higher fault currents are found. Here are some reasons you might have to search for a new breaker brand during a replacement. Things to Know! (Answered in Detail), How Many Amps Does an Electric Oven Use (Answered), What Gauge Wire for 50 Amp 220V Circuits? Determining whether specific breakers are compatible with a panel is outside the scope of a home inspection and further evaluation by a licensed electrician is the best course of action to properly assess circuit breakers. Although you should have no difficulty finding a second GE breaker to replace your old one, there are times when you wont be able to or simply dont have time to wait. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct. The function of a circuit breaker tells you where you need to put it. (Explained). All Rights Reserved. Recommended; . (Answered in Detail), How Many Amps Does an Electric Oven Use (Answered), What Gauge Wire for 50 Amp 220V Circuits? As far as their compatibility is concerned, Siemens breakers can work in GE panels. Galvinpower.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Galvin Power is reader-supported. These factors should be considered when looking for a suitable replacement breaker. Read more. If the rules apply to qualified personnel they should certainly apply to non qualified personnel. Cuttler-Hammer is also interchangeable with certain Square D breakers. Luckily, the company that makes Westinghouse breakers makes several other brands, as we recently discussed. While these other breakers will work, theres a good chance they will violate your local building code or void the warranty on your panel box. There have been a lot of mergers and acquisitions in the business, so some companies (e.g. Many old houses use the breakers that Westinghouse makes. Cartoon series about a world-saving agent, who is an Indiana Jones and James Bond mixture. Where electrical power enters a building or other source, the National Electrical Code (NEC) requires electrical distribution equipment rated as "Service Entrance." Such service equipment usually consists of one main breaker disconnect or space for up to 6 main disconnects. Thats because although different circuit breakers require the same brand and model for replacement, some of these models are no longer in production. Circuit breakers are one of the most important components of electricity. These are called SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) gas breakers because they use that particular type of electronegative gas to perform their function. The only one I'm confused about are the short lived Thomas and Betts loadcenters. We have 200 A service. Additional Oregon communities served include: Eugene, Springfield, Corvallis, Albany, Veneta, Harrisburg, Creswell, Cottage Grove and Florence. Why is Bb8 better than Bc7 in this position? Unfortunately, using the same brand isnt always possible, so youll have to work with what youve got. However, during this time, we may also encounter sudden power losses, leading us to use generators. Thats why you have to be careful when finding a replacement for your old one. Well, , As a master electrician, Ive worked on many projects that require me to bend electrical conduit pipes at a rather odd shape. not at the circuit breaker, so the entire panel can be wired at rough-in without circuit breakers installed. How to Prevent Circuit Breaker from Tripping? Well, , Ive met many people who put no thought into the conduits they will use for their wiring and electrical projects. Will newer Siemens AFCI/GFCI circuit breakers handle washing machine loads better than older versions? Specified breakers are breakers that have been tested and listed for a panel by the manufacturer. Various electrical manufacturers and distributors are constantly looking to improve their products, which means phasing out old ones. Arc fault circuit interrupters, as their name suggests, prevent arc faults. AFCIs only became required in 1999. Either on the breaker itself or in the panel box, there should be a list of model numbers for each breaker. Compatibility Chart There are charts that show what circuit breakers are interchangeable. The UL or Underwriters Laboratory goes to great lengths to test different breakers with different panel boxes. Circuit Breakers Which Are Suitable For ITE - ScienceBriefss How strong is a strong tie splice to weight placed in it from above? Unless the circuit breaker is marked on the panelboard as being acceptable or it is UL Classified as being acceptable, the circuit breakers have not been tested in the panelboards and should not be used. Cutler-Hammer is one of the oldest electrical companies in the country and has produced electrical components for over 85 years. As a result, people sometimes replace their entire Bryant panel box. The same goes for the model number. You look for a different brand if you require help detecting the particular breaker model on the market. Examining the sealant used to hide the screws on the top rear of the circuit breaker is yet another approach to determining whether or not the breaker has been tampered with. electrical panel - Breaker compatibility - Home Improvement Stack Exchange Replaced it with an interchangeable or UL Classified circuit breaker. CH also has a line that is interchangeable with Square D. If it's a GE, it gets a GE breaker. You should always check for UL certification when using breakers interchangeably. How Many Amps Does a Washing Machine Draw? Number suffixes on the type marking (such as QAF2 vs QAF and MP-AT2 vs MP-AT) are used to denote a revised type of breaker that is still compatible with the original and can be used in place of it, so they don't matter in your case. Here are some things you need to consider when finding a suitable breaker replacement. As weve just discussed, Siemens bought out Murray and made it so that all their circuit breakers were compatible from the year 2002 onward. If this question enters your mind, you may want to install a new circuit or upgrade an old circuit. Single-pole and double-pole electric breaker types fall under the garden-variety category for their relative popularity and wide residential application, while AFCIs, GFCIs, and Dual-Function are more specialized. Weve all heard of General Electric and likely have at least one appliance or electrical device made by the company. Learn more, Written byEdwin Jones/ Fact checked byAndrew Wright. If that is the case, even if you find a circuit breaker with the same specifications as your current breaker, the new one might not fit your load center. How to find out what breakers are compatible with my panel?