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View Full Version : Matching breakers with box brand?


spicoli
May 30, 2007, 05:32 PM
I have a GE box and Cutler-Hammer breakers, the electrical has been set up this way since I moved in 4 years ago. I have never had a problem with the electrical in my house, but we have an inspector telling us that this is a fire safety issue and should be addressed. Is this smoke and mirrors or is my house going to burn down?

Thanks

nNova
May 30, 2007, 06:50 PM
I have a GE box and Cutler-Hammer breakers, the electrical has been set up this way since I moved in 4 years ago. I have never had a problem with the electrical in my house, but we have an inspector telling us that this is a fire safety issue and should be addressed. Is this smoke and mirrors or is my house going to burn down?

Thanks
I don't think you house will burn down if it has been that way and worked until now. Call the local electrical distributor. The store in your area that sales to the electricians and they sell to public as well. Some circuit breakers do not fit well in other load centers. Just tell them u have a GE loadcenter and cutler hammer breakers. If the breaker fits in and the blades line up and it is snug it should be fine.

tkrussell
May 31, 2007, 02:40 AM
Brands of breakers and panels can only be mixed if the breaker is UL listed to be in another panel. Square D for example makes their HomeLine breaker, looks like a GE breaker, and it is listed to be in a GE panel.

If a breaker is not listed to be in another panel, that means that UL or some other testing agency has not tested the breaker's operation in another panel, therefore may be a fire hazard. If there is a fire, and the insurance company finds a product not being used properly, there will be problems collecting a claim.

I am not aware of Cutler Hammer breakers being listed to be installed in a GE panel.