Can a Siemens combination AFCI breaker be used in a GE Panel

[techmavin]

I have a couple Siemens AFCI combination breakers that I got a few years ago.Are they compatible in a GE Panel?

 

[Little Bill]

They may fit but they aren't listed for anything but a Siemens or Murray panel.

 

[kwired]

They may fit but they aren't listed for anything but a Siemens or Murray panel.

Well sort of. You can find other products out there like meter-mains and power pedestals and power outlet assemblies by Milbank or Midwest or possibly others that will have branch breaker spaces and will list various breakers such as Siemens, Eaton BR, GE and Square D Homeline as acceptable breakers to install in them.

 

[tom baker]

Combination or dual function? There is a difference.

 

[Little Bill]

Well sort of. You can find other products out there like meter-mains and power pedestals and power outlet assemblies by Milbank or Midwest or possibly others that will have branch breaker spaces and will list various breakers such as Siemens, Eaton BR, GE and Square D Homeline as acceptable breakers to install in them.

OP specifically asked about a GE panel.

 

[Little Bill]

Combination or dual function? There is a difference.

That would make no difference in the OP's question.

 

[Stuff]

Just to confuse things Siemens for a while produced AFCI breakers for GE. They looked the same as Siemens and Murray versions but were marked with GE labeling. Only with the labeling (listing) could you use them in a GE panel.

 

[tom baker]

That would make no difference in the OP's question.

I should of worded it differently, but wanted to make a point about the difference between the two types

 

[techmavin]

They may fit but they aren't listed for anything but a Siemens or Murray panel.

 

[techmavin]

They fit. But on opening the panel I found the 2 breakers I wanted to replace were connected to a NM 12/3 with a shared neutral. Only GE AFCI breakers work with shared neutrals. Siemens trip.

 

[Stuff]

They fit. But on opening the panel I found the 2 breakers I wanted to replace were connected to a NM 12/3 with a shared neutral. Only GE AFCI breakers work with shared neutrals. Siemens trip.

New GEs don't have GFCI while others do: https://forums.mikeholt.com/threads/new-ge-afci.77941/

 

[kwired]

New GEs don't have GFCI while others do: https://forums.mikeholt.com/threads/new-ge-afci.77941/

Technically it is GFPE level protection. If it were GFCI level protection they are calling them dual function breakers. And yes GE has passed listing requirements without using any GFPE in their units.

 

[techmavin]

GE’s Patented Discrete Wavelet Transform Algorithm allows for accurate response to abnormalities in a circuit’s waveform caused by arcing conditions, without the need for a clean neutral return path. Unlike other brands, the neutral load lug provided on the GE AFCI breaker is there simply for your wiring convenience, and is purely optional. For new construction you have the option of returning the neutral wire to the breaker or simply to the neutral bar (as space allows).

 

[Stuff]

Technically it is GFPE level protection. If it were GFCI level protection they are calling them dual function breakers. And yes GE has passed listing requirements without using any GFPE in their units.

Yes, I mis-worded that. Do you know if they set GFPE at 30ma or something else?

 

[Stuff]

They fit. But on opening the panel I found the 2 breakers I wanted to replace were connected to a NM 12/3 with a shared neutral. Only GE AFCI breakers work with shared neutrals. Siemens trip.

I got off on a tangent. Siemens, CH, and SqD all make 2 pole AFCI breakers to cover the shared neutral case. Dual function 2 pole are still MIA.

 

[kwired]

Yes, I mis-worded that. Do you know if they set GFPE at 30ma or something else?

I don't know for certain but I believe 30mA is what is used.