Identify type of circuit breaker

Here’s a common scenario: You need to buy a replacement or additional circuit breaker for your panel. As soon as you start shopping around, however, you become aware that there are thousands and thousands of types of breakers from which to choose. For commercial or industrial panels, this lofty number can be even larger.

Buying circuit breakers is no trivial task, so how do you ensure you’re making the correct decision? As it turns out, picking the right one isn’t too complicated, and it all starts with learning how to identify different types of circuit breakers.

Broadly speaking, there are three major types of circuit breakers: standard, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), and arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs). Let’s take a closer look at these three.

Standard Circuit Breakers

When you imagine a simple breaker that trips when a circuit overloads, you’re probably thinking of a standard circuit breaker. Depending on the function (whether...

Shop By: Choose Options Below - Product - Category - Manufacturer » Start Here Select Your Breaker If you don't know the part number of the circuit breaker you're looking for, all is not lost. You can browse (to the left) or try the link below. » How to identify your Circuit Breaker. Still Can't Find It? We are the nation's premier supplier of both new circuit breakers and obsolete circuit breakers.

We only sell circuit breakers that are professionally reconditioned, tested, certified and guaranteed to perform - at our expense. You'll find out quickly why we've become the industry's first call for low and medium voltage distribution equipment. Can't find the specific circuit breaker you need? Some brands that we stock have not yet been added to our website, like medium voltage vacuum circuit breakers.

To learn about items not listed online, please call us toll-free at 800-497-6255. About Circuit Breakers A circuit breaker is a type of electrical switch that...

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1

Turn off power supply to the electrical panel. Locate the Service Disconnect or Main circuit breaker in the panel, and set to the "Off" position. This circuit breaker is likely to be the largest value and located either at the top or bottom of the panel. If no such circuit breaker is identified in the panel, it is likely in another panel in the building, or in the meter socket enclosure. Look for other panel(s) to find the circuit breaker needed.

2

Inspect the circuit breaker arrangement for unused locations. Pay particular attention to unused spaces at the top and bottom of the cover. Some manufacturers of electrical panels have removable knock outs or plates at these locations, but the panel itself lacks provisions to mount a circuit breaker. Simply stated: Do not rely on the cover alone to determine the ability to add circuits to the panel - check the bus bar.

3

Remove the electrical panel cover. Remove fasteners while a helper...

In the electrical and electronics world, there are many cases where mishap takes place. It will lead to severe damage to building, offices, houses, schools, industries, etc. Trusting voltage and current are not correct, though safety measures are taken. Once circuit breakers are installed it will control the sudden rise of voltage and current. It will help from any accident. Circuit breakers are like the heart of the electrical system. There are different types of circuit breakers where these are installed according to the rating of the system. In house different kind of circuit breaker is used and for industries another type of circuit breaker is used. Let us discuss the different types of circuit breakers and its importance in detail.

What is a Circuit Breaker?

Electrical circuit breaker is a witching device which can be operated automatically or manually for protecting and controlling of electrical power system. In the modern power system the design of the circuit...

There are several methods of classification of circuit breakers. The most general way of the rating of a circuit breaker is by the arc extinction medium. The arc extinction can easily be done by using the different medium like air, insulator, gas, vacuum, dielectric, etc.

By the arc extinction medium, the circuit breaker is categorised into four types. They are the air break circuit breaker, air blast circuit breaker, sulphur hexafluoride circuit breaker and vacuum circuit breaker. The classification of the circuit breaker is shown in the figure below.

The circuit breaker is mainly categorised into two types. They are the AC circuit breakers and the DC circuit breakers.

AC Circuit Breaker

The AC circuit breaker is sub-classified into two types, i.e., the low voltage circuit breaker and the high voltage circuit breaker. The circuit breaker whose value lies below the 1000V is known as the low voltage circuit breaker, and above 1000V it is known as a...

Electrical circuit breaker is a switching device which can be operated manually as well as automatically for controlling and protection of electrical power system respectively. As the modern power system deals with huge currents, the special attention should be given during designing of circuit breaker to safe interruption of arc produced during the operation of circuit breaker. This was the basic definition of circuit breaker.

Circuit breakers have been classified into a number of types, based on different categories they have been subdivided into.

It should be noted here that there is no specific criteria of classifying the circuit breakers, but instead there are a number of ways in which we can categorize them for our easier understanding and knowledge of the operating conditions of the device.

These different categorizes can be according to the medium in which the circuit breaker operates, the actuating signal on which its works, the different...

Don't Know Your Circuit Breaker Part Number?

Here's a helpful guide to use when identifying your circuit breaker. Remember, you can always call our knowledgable sales reps at 800-497-6255 for immediate assistence.

Do you want the exact same circuit breaker? Yes or No

For Replacement Circuit Breakers: Look at the Label

If you are replacing a circuit breaker, you can usually find all the information you need to order your circuit breaker off of the label. Typically, the part number (Cat. #, Catalog Number, or P/N) is displayed on the top left hand side of the breaker, usually by the manufacturer logo. In most cases, this is NOT the style number or serial number - these numbers will not help us identfy your circuit breaker. Some older...