Replacing circuit breakers in your electrical service panel but not sure which ones to use?
Normally you would just go to the panel and look up the specified breakers the manufacturer has listed. Maybe you’re trying to save money or can’t find the part you’re looking for and now you’re looking for options.
Here is the dirty truth about interchanging circuit breakers…(scroll down)
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Product Training Product Safety Product Guides Product News Featured ProductsSpecified, UL Classified / Interchangeable 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. 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. 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. Their argument is for public safety drawing evidence from past accidents due to the use of Classified breakers in their panel. The images below are damages to a Square D load center from using a classified breaker.
Source: https://inspectapedia.com - Square D letter to Electrical Inspectors.
Square D insists that this is a code violation which will result in their warranty void. They went as far as to say that you may lose your license. 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. Moreover, UL also stated that Classified breakers can be used for their approved panels. (Source: Marking and Application Guides). On the note of warranty void, manufacturers cannot void their warranty if the replacement part has proven to be safe by a third-party, for instance UL (Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act).
Compatibility Chart
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.
Conclusion
In short, the manufacturer’s specification is always a good first choice. 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.