Reusing Breakers

[Model A Fan]

Given how expensive breakers can be, is it safe to reuse a breaker? I am going to be doing a 240v circuit and found a store that sells used breakers from past construction (when old stuff gets torn out and recycled).

I found some 20amp breakers for $1 each at the store. They match the type of breaker I need for my project and panel. As long as there isn't visible damage to the outside, are they good to go? Is there a way to check for internal damage?

I spent nearly $20 on the breaker at the store and figured if I can use these, all the better, it would save me $19 or so.

 

[Chaz]

Nothing wrong with that!

 

[Techie1961]

I reuse them all the time. Go for it.

 

[Model A Fan]

Awesome! I am glad to hear it. I didn't want to run the risk of it being a bad idea.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Slowgsr]

I'll do jobs with used panels/breakers - I repurpose all my clean stuff that I pull out during demo, especially wire. However, I don't do residential

 

[Cmreschke]

What type of panel is it?

 

[MikeF2316]

I'd probably test them, probably with a couple of 1500 watt heaters. A 15 or 20 amp breaker should be fine with one heater, and pop with both. While this isn't a perfect test, if they pass they're most likely good.

 

[Speedy Petey]

Given how expensive breakers can be, ...........

What type of panel do you have.

I don't consider modern breaks to be expensive at all. I mean outside of AFCI and GFCI breakers. And those I WOULD NOT buy used.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Given how expensive breakers can be, is it safe to reuse a breaker? I am going to be doing a 240v circuit and found a store that sells used breakers from past construction (when old stuff gets torn out and recycled).

I found some 20amp breakers for $1 each at the store. They match the type of breaker I need for my project and panel. As long as there isn't visible damage to the outside, are they good to go? Is there a way to check for internal damage?

I spent nearly $20 on the breaker at the store and figured if I can use these, all the better, it would save me $19 or so.

Depends on the brand of panel.

If its a Zinsco, Federal pacific electric, challenger or any one of the other bad brands of breakers, then I would DEFINITELY NOT reuse it.

If its say a GE, Siemens, Murray, Eaton or Sq D, then I would test it first.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Depends on the brand of panel.

If its a Zinsco, Federal pacific electric, challenger or any one of the other bad brands of breakers, then I would DEFINITELY NOT reuse it.

If its say a GE, Siemens, Murray, Eaton or Sq D, then I would test it first.

I also hang on to old pull out fuse holders from differant panels when I do service change outs,Ive made more than one persons day with left over parts.

 

[Norcal]

Not going to say yay or nay about reuse, but just because a breaker fits does not mean it's OK to use it, the best way is to use the same brand type speced by the manufacturer, but if it's obsolete then it means some research time to find the correct breaker.

 

[nadogail]

Mega Dittos on avoiding Zinsco, FPE, or Challenger equipment in any form but scrap.

 

[macdabs]

I think the older Square D breakers were built better than the new ones. They had rivits holding them together and felt more solid when you flipped the switch.

 

[Eriehunter]

I hate re-using used breakers and try to avoid it whenever possible. Especially the very old style breakers of any manufacturer, many old style breakers don't have the ability to open as quickly under fault as modern breakers.

There is no way to look at a breaker externally and see if it internally bad. That requires specialized test equipment.

 

[Stuff]

Also some of the manufacturers play the game of saying that putting a used breaker in a new panel voids the warranty.

 

[Eriehunter]

Also some of the manufacturers play the game of saying that putting a used breaker in a new panel voids the warranty.

And they should.

For example: a GE stab in breaker from the 60's will stab into a new GE panel, do you really want to trust a 50+ year old breaker stabbed into a new panel. Who knows, internally that breaker could have a mechanical issue that will keep it from opening when it should.

The new breakers have better AIC, heat, interrupting ratings, opening time curves etc.. Throw the old **** away.

 

[Norcal]

Residential circuit breakers are cheap, used breakers are not tested as it is too expensive to test them in relation to their value. Use them at your own risk.

 

[joe_padavano]

The breakers in your panel right now are "used". Do you replace them every day?

 

[Norcal]

That is twisted "logic".

 

[checkthisout]

You are looking at like $3.65 each for any given 110 breaker and like $7.00 for a 240V one for any given panel.

AFCI's and GFCI's are obviously a different story.

If the breakers are newer, I would say go ahead if they are older, then chuck them and get new ones. They just don't cost enough in regards to an overall job to matter. In my non-electrician opinion of course......

With that said, anytime I have had a "bad" breaker, it's bad because it's tripping before reaching it's rating I.E. tripping under light loads.

 

[dutchgray]

You are looking at like $3.65 each for any given 110 breaker and like $7.00 for a 240V one for any given panel.

AFCI's and GFCI's are obviously a different story.

If the breakers are newer, I would say go ahead if they are older, then chuck them and get new ones. They just don't cost enough in regards to an overall job to matter. In my non-electrician opinion of course......

With that said, anytime I have had a "bad" breaker, it's bad because it's tripping before reaching it's rating I.E. tripping under light loads.

But if its bad the other way, you wouldn't know till your house burnt down. For what they cost buy new ones. I can understand those in the trade keeping obsolete or unavailable parts to keep old systems going, that's just sensible, FWIW my house is powered off 3 plug in cartridge fuse holders and a separate sub with modern RCD for an electric shower. I really ought to get it replaced.

 

[1/2 Cup]

IMHO and speaking as a sparky, I would be inclined to get new circuit breakers as you do not know what they have been through in service.

Regards

 

[joe_padavano]

That is twisted "logic".

How so? Breakers rarely cycle, so there isn't really an issue of arcing on the contacts unless they do. Sorry, but the breakers in my panel are nearly 20 years old and probably haven't been cycled more than two or three times. They are USED by now, however. I don't feel the need to replace them with new. And yes, I have reused breakers that I have swapped out or otherwise acquired. I have several barns and shop buildings on the property.

Note that I only use GE panels and breakers.

 

[Norcal]

How so? Breakers rarely cycle, so there isn't really an issue of arcing on the contacts unless they do. Sorry, but the breakers in my panel are nearly 20 years old and probably haven't been cycled more than two or three times. They are USED by now, however. I don't feel the need to replace them with new. And yes, I have reused breakers that I have swapped out or otherwise acquired. I have several barns and shop buildings on the property.

Note that I only use GE panels and breakers.

The twisted logic comment was in response to this:

The breakers in your panel right now are "used". Do you replace them every day?

Used breakers of unknown origin are suspect, and due to the low original cost & low value used it is not cost effective to test them. One has to use their own judgement whether to reuse or not, I do for myself, but for others it's not worth it, as they have to be warrantied for a year, better to use new & save the headache. As to only using GE (Good Enough) I am sorry.