Breaker panel/breaker brand question?

[Wow]

As I understand it your breaker panel box and the breakers inside are supposed to be all the same brand and matching, in order to keep the UL approval of the panel board. Does that mean it's required by the NEC or just a good idea?

I have a Cuttler-Hammer breaker panel in my shop, with a bunch of mixed up and old breakers. I'd like to replace them all with new Siemens breakers since I'm able to get them for almost nothing. They "fit" right into the Cuttler-Hammer box, and they seem to be working fine in the mix of four different brands...

I know some brands don't fit right in other boxes, and some do. Seems like a stupid standard.

 

[CraigFL]

Some manufacturers make direct replacements for standard boxes. Make sure they are meant to do this and not just "fit". Some are obvious that won't fit like the spade being 90 degrees from regular and some aren't so obvious as to how they lock on the rail.

 

[916matt]

inside your panel most likely on the inside of the door there is a label that will tell you what brand and type of breakers will work with the panel. it is best to stick with one of the listed breakers. if the breakers you want to use are not listed, there must be a reason. and IMO electrical is not something to skimp on

 

[Charles (in GA)]

If you have a Cutler-Hammer panel that could take Siemens breakers, then you have a BR series panel board. This is the panelboard design that carried over from Bryant Electric (hence the BR) when C-H acquired them. The original C-H panels are called CH series and are totally incompatible with anything else.

I seem to recall a flyer in HD or Lowes that showed that Siemens had gained UL acceptance for the use of their breakers in certain other panelboard brands, but looking at their website now, I cannot find anything.

Charles

 

[Wow]

inside your panel most likely on the inside of the door there is a label that will tell you what brand and type of breakers will work with the panel. it is best to stick with one of the listed breakers.

Well, somehow I think CH is not going to list the brand name of their competition for use in their boxes, safe or not.

I really have no concerns about safety, I think the Siemens breakers work fine, and they fit exactly like the CH breakers. It's just a matter of whether UL has tested it or not. I understand mixing and matching brands is bad, but that's what I have now and that's why I want to change it.

But THAT is the question - must a breaker panel be completely UL approved to be allowed by the NEC?

 

[Aceman]

Unless you can find proof Cutler allows Siemens breakers(I highly doubt it) you need to use the CH BR breakers designed for that panel. That is the NEC answer.

 

[Wow]

Damn you NEC, damn you to hell!

I'll try and contact Siemens/CH and see what they say.

I already have a bunch of 20-30-50 amp single/double pole siemens breakers, so you can see my reluctance to go buy more of a different brand. Hell, it might be cheaper just to get a new siemens panel, LOL.

 

[oleguy]

just go to lowes or homedepot.they have an inter change book.

 

[Norcal]

In order for someone to use another make of breaker in a panel it the breaker needs to be UL "Classified" to be used in that panel, I do not know of any paperwork avail to use a Siemens EQ frame breaker in anything other then Siemens or I-T-E brand panels (I-T-E was the former name of Siemens panels), but there is a chart of panels that Cutler-Hammer BR frame breakers are classified by UL to be used in other makes.The below link is not really what was looking for, but gives a idea.There is a list out there but have been unable to find it.


http://www.eaton.com/ecm/idcplg?Idc...sed&Rendition=Primary&&dDocName=1016115403174