Nov
07
What’s The Best Way To Find A Circuit Breaker To Match My Curcuit Panel ??
Byget the brand name off of the breaker box and go to any electrical store or even a place like lowes and they can sell you the circuit breakers you need..be sure you know what amperage and voltage breaker you will…120 volt is a single breaker…230 volt is a double breaker
4 Comments
November 7th, 2009 at 7:25 am
Get the brand and model number from the label in the load center. If it is relatively new, you can go to a hardware store of big box store and they can match up what you need. If it is old, find the local distributor for the brand and they can cross reference it for you. Old stuff is called “aftermarket” in the industry and you will pay an arm and a leg for parts. Some brands like Westinghouse, Federal Pacific, and Zinsco have been absorbed into other companies like Eaton. If you can safely pull a breaker from the panel, it should have a part number that can be cross referenced.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:14 am
the best way to do it is by compute the load of the circuit so that you would know the exact breaker amp rating. say 1hp window Airconditioner = 775watts /220 volts = 3.5amps but the local code says min of 30amps per 1hp AC. (well, you can actually use 10amps breaker but if the inspector would come they will disapprove it)
if you have an existing panel you can switch it off first and take out one of its breaker, bring that to the electrical shop and ask for the rating you would like. there are different types of breaker; bolt on, slip-ons (knife type or clip ons other may call it) miniture breakers. and install it the way you pulled it out. one thing make sure the wires tight and wont ripoff even if you yank the wires.
if you dont have a spare circuit breaker in your panel buy a CB with housing.
hope that solves your problem
November 7th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Look for a name on the panel or on one of the existing breakers.
November 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Pop one out, take it to the store with you. Make sure the new one is the correct amperage.