[electromechanic]

Are, per NEC, circuit breakers required to be same manufacturer as the panel?

[donf]

Question, what is the section and paragraph number to authenticate the above statement, please?

Breaker requirements begin in section 240.83. However, I saw nothing to indicate that you must use the manufacturer's breakers. You do have to match the breaker to the style of the enclosure for a proper fit but even that does not appear to a code requirement.

[KISS]

Are, per NEC, circuit breakers required to be same manufacturer as the panel?

Question, what is the section and paragraph number to authenticate the above statement, please?

Don: Questions end in "?" marks which the OP's does. Statements end in periods. e.g. "."

Confused.

[stanfortyman]

Are, per NEC, circuit breakers required to be same manufacturer as the panel?

Simple answer: NO.

[stanfortyman]

I think 110.3(B) applies here as much as anything.

[donf]

Stan,

Agreed.

[tkrussell]

To answer this question:

Are, per NEC, circuit breakers required to be same manufacturer as the panel?

The short answer is yes. Of course there is a long answer, and can sometimes be no. Let me explain.

The NEC addresses this issue in Section 110.3 (B), which states:

"Installation and Use. Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling."

As a rule, any brand panel shall have the same brand circuit breaker installed to comply with the UL Listing of the product.

The exception is, some brands of circuit breakers will list other brands of panels it could be installed in.

[donf]

TK,

I'm not quite understanding your illustration. First, 110.3 does not specifically state that you are required to use only the manufacturer's breakers.

For example, if I have a Square "D" cabinet and I need to install a new 20 amp breaker. I head to the breaker store but can't find the Square "D" breaker I need. However, they do carry Sleazy Nick's DIY breaker that is labeled for the Square "D" panel.

I can find any prohibition to using Sleazys' if it has been listed by UL as an acceptable breaker for the Square "D" panel.

What are you reading that I cannot find, yet again?

[stanfortyman]

Panels do not generally state "Use only Sq D type QO or QOB breakers.......". They will say "Use only type QO or QOB breakers......."

There is a reasonable size difference in those two statements.

As Don says, if you buy a Cutler-Hammer QO breaker (They do exist. They are "CHQ" breakers) it is perfectly legal.

[stanfortyman]

Then again, if you use an THQ breaker in a BR panel technically it is not legal, although it fits perfectly.

[johnmprince]

In 42 years of doing electrical work I have been asked ONCE to install the same brand breaker as the panel. Rather than have a long discussion , and educate the inspector, I did so.
There is a question of the panel vendor honoring the warranty if you use some other brand of breaker. When was the last time you returned a panel for a warranty claim?

[tkrussell]

Don, first you agreed with Stan that 110.3B applies, now with me you don't agree?

110.3B states that anything used must be listed for the purpose. It will not say " You can use a GE breaker in a Square D panel."

It refers to Underwriters Laboratories, or any of the several other third party testing firms.

As Stan explained Cutler Hammer now makes a breaker, Type CHQ, looks like a Square D QO breaker, and is LISTED by UL to be allowed to be installed in a Square D QO panel.

The rule is, and the reason I say yes to answer the original question, breakers must be made by the same manufacturer as the panel. The exception is, now some breakers made by one brand ARE listed to be installed in other brand panels.


Stan's other example, even thou a GE THQ breaker may happen to fit in a Cutler Hammer BR panel, if the THQ breaker is not listed by UL or some other third party to be installed in some other brand panel, then it is not allowed, or will, one void the warranty of the panel, and most importantly, void the UL Listing of the product,and which now violates the NEC Section 110.3(B).

Clear as mud?

Simple to solve, always use the same brand breaker in the same brand panel.

Only qualified, trained, and knowledgeable persons should be involved when the properly Listed circuit breaker is not available.

There are serious issues involved with legalities, warranties, insurance claims, product liability, etc, when one brand of breaker is installed in another brand panel, if not UL Listed for that application.

[donf]

TK,

I think we are saying the same thing. I am saying that you can use another company's breaker in a panel, providing that the replacement breaker is listed for such use.

I am not saying just go to the store and pick up any breaker.

The first home we had here in the beach had a panel where the original company went out of business and I had to get a third party 15 amp breaker that was made for the panel.