Breakers from other brands

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michaelkingdom

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Sarasota, FL
**Home Inspector asking...**

Pardon me if this is obvious but are breakers that don't brand match the service panel a condition warranting repair? This 1965 Murray had a variety of brands.
 

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It depends.

There are many types of breakers, called "Classified" breakers, that are designed to retrofit into load centers made by manufacturers other than the original load center. Years ago we called them "Interchangeable" but that term has fallen out of favor, especially after UL came up with the "Classified" moniker.

Read this older thread for some insight as to how it evolved and what it means. As you will see, there are a few little "gotchas" that can be lurking in an old panel where stuff was added over years by DIY homeowners and handymen. So bottom line in my opinion for you as a home inspector, it's not an immediate "repair" recommendation situation, but neither is it a "close the door and sign off on it". You should recommend having a qualified licensed electrical contractor take a look at it by removing each breaker and checking if it is appropriately applied.
 
Depends on who the panel is manufactured by, Murray/Crouse-Hinds, (pre Siemens) were marked allowing other manufacturers breakers to be used, any others, need the paperwork showing the competitive make is UL classified to be used.


I see 2 different generations of ITE & Siemens,+ Bryant, Challenger, GE.
 
When it comes to old panels, I don't even worry about it. On the other hand, if it's new or nearly new, I am meticulous about matching the breaker to the panel manufacturer.
 
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