Galvin Power is reader-supported. When you buy via our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more

What Breakers are Compatible with Cutler Hammer?

Written by Edwin Jones / Fact checked by Andrew Wright

what breakers are compatible with cutler hammer

What breakers are compatible with cutler hammer? There are several categories that you can look into to find the most appropriate type of breaker.

Depending on what model of cutler hammer you are working on, you can choose from Low Voltage, Medium Voltage, High Voltage, Thermal, or Magnetic circuit breakers.

Finding the right parts or models for legacy electrical equipment can sometimes be difficult. Even seemingly simple things like the type of mounting connection cannot easily be determined, making tracking down circuit breakers hard work.

However, if you need to find a cutler hammer replacement or an Eaton breaker compatibility for your electrical equipment, read on to find out the answers you are looking for.

Different Types of Compatible Circuit Breakers

cutler-hammer-compatible-breakers

Now that you know how vital a circuit breaker is and the different factors you need to consider in choosing what kind of breakers are compatible with a cutler hammer, here are the various categories you can choose from.

1. Low Voltage Circuit Breakers

Low voltage circuit breakers are commonly used in residential and commercial buildings. These devices can be used to protect an entire circuit or individual electrical devices. There are different low voltage circuit breakers, such as molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) and miniature circuit breakers (MCBs).

2. Medium Voltage Circuit Breakers

Medium-Voltage-Circuit-Breakers

These circuit breakers are typically used in medium voltage applications, which are 120/240 voltages. You can find these breakers for use in wiring layouts at homes, businesses, or the electrical lines of railway systems.

3. High Voltage Circuit Breakers

A high voltage circuit breaker is a safeguard device used commonly in electrical power transmission and distribution. It protects the transmission line from damage due to over current, current imbalance, or fault.

4. Thermal Circuit Breakers

Thermal-Circuit-Breakers

The type of power breaker that can be found in homes is called a thermal circuit breaker. They are also called overload breakers, heat-triggered interrupters, and fuses.

These breakers are designed to trip or cease the current flow at a specific temperature. The breaker employs a metal strip that consists of two metals that are welded together.

5. Magnetic Circuit Breakers

These breakers are modern replacements for the traditional magnetic trip breakers of the past. The technology used in these new circuit breakers is fascinating. They use a multi-dimensional electromagnetic coil that continuously changes polarity. Choosing this one can also ensure the cutler hammer circuit breaker compatibility.

Function of a Circuit Breaker

Before discussing the various cutler hammer compatible breakers, you should know the proper function of a circuit breaker. Circuit breakers are designed to protect circuits served by fuses or other types of protection. When a circuit breaker trips, it automatically shuts off the source of power to the circuit.

Hence, it helps prevent damage to both household appliances and other electrical equipment. As long as the overload situation exists, the circuit breaker will remain tripped. Circuit breakers are reset manually, usually by turning a small button located on the circuit breaker itself.

Technicalities of a Circuit Breaker

cutler-hammer-breaker-compatibility

There are specific cutler hammer breaker compatibility rules to follow before you start searching for compatible circuit breakers. They include how many amperes or voltage each circuit breaker must be, which wire type it needs to work with, whether it extended its service life, and so on.

Not knowing the technicalities of a circuit breaker can cause damage to the wiring and may result in fire or injuries. Here are some tips on what to look for before choosing a compatible breaker.

1. Voltage

The voltage requirement by an electrical system is one of the most important considerations when choosing the circuit breaker. Voltage calculations and circuit integration are critical factors to ensure that the circuit breaker will provide enough power for all connected electrical loads.

2. Current Rating or Amperes

When it comes to choosing the appropriate size of a circuit breaker, the’ magic number’ has an amperage suitable enough to protect against the determined fault current. During fault conditions, most fuses can heat up. If they heat up more than is allowable, they are likely to open up, leading to a system fault.

On the other hand, a circuit breaker does not heat up significantly during fault conditions, allowing them to close most of the time without opening even in the presence of excessive voltages or currents.

However, you are advised to choose a circuit breaker for approximately 120% of the required load. A higher amperage helps offset the effects of heat generation in the power system.

3. Moisture and Corrosion

It is common practice to treat various circuit breakers with regular applications of lubricants, rust inhibitors, mold treatment, and even moisture control. Moisture protection for circuit breakers is vital for the equipment to operate correctly and for the people’s safety.

4. Conductive Contact Plates

When replacing the circuit breaker of the cutler hammer, you must make sure that it is compatible with your cutler hammer panels. No matter what type of cutler hammer breaker replacement you choose, the circuit breaker will have two conductive contact plates, one stationary and one moving.

The stationary contact plate is known as the bus bar, and the moving plate is called the trip bar. The bus bar carries 120 volts of direct current, while the trip bar carries 24 volts of direct current and is what connects to the circuit and what trips and turns off the breaker when it gets overloaded or damaged.

Final Thoughts

Circuit breakers are what keep us safe from immense harm, as our homes, companies, and other offices have complex wiring systems. In case of any mishap, we need circuit breakers to regulate the flow of electricity efficiently and effectively.

Therefore, it is essential to know what breakers are compatible with cutler hammer. Hopefully, this brief guide will help you choose the best breaker type, depending on the model you have at your home or office. If you think this article has helped you in any way, make sure to share it with your friends too!

Furthermore, We have gathered some helpful tips that you like, such as how to replace a circuit breaker, how to change the main breaker live and how to trace a circuit breaker. 

5/5 - (2 votes)