Replies

1. 
   pye | Jun 06, 2009 06:27pm | #1

   It would depend on whether you have a Square Dog Homeline panel or a QO panel. Isuspect you grabbed a GFCI or AFCI breaker; a 20 amp single pole shouldn't run $40.

   Only QO style breakers fit a QO panel but some other brands will fit a Homeline though I believe they are not UL listed for that application.

   Take a circuit breaker out you can spare for an hour, washing machine or something like that and haul it along with you to the box store.

1. 
   CeltsFan | Jun 06, 2009 07:43pm | #3

   Yeah, it was an AFCI breaker.

2. 
   drh | Jun 06, 2009 06:36pm | #2

   You need Square D breakers. Here, both Home Depot and Lowes carry Square D breakers. Make sure you buy the right type Square D breaker...

   Homeline:
   http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100045009

   QO:
   http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100028706

3. 
   BillHartmann | Jun 06, 2009 08:19pm | #4

   I am surprised that you are having problem finding them. Around here Lowes, HD, hardware stores, farm stores all have them. I think that maybe QT has them.

   Look on the panel label. It will give both the panel model and the list acceptable breakers.

   The numbers for a QO series will have QO as the start of the part numbers.

   Homeline will have HOM for the part numbers.

   There is also a difference in their width, but I forget which is which.

   Also the QO line, at least for newer breakers, have a window on the front that shows if they are tripped or not.

   The homeline is "universal" and will "sometimes" accept ones like Murrary and Cutler Hammer BR series. But there is no standard on the "universal" breakers and they don't always fit exactly right when used in other panels.

   Cutler Hammer (and I beleive others) has a lines of universal breakers that has be approved for use in other brand panels. But technically there are only approved in specific models of the panels and not all models of that brand. But should work in other models.

   Also Cutler Hammer has some approved replacement QO breakers.

   But for either you need to go to an electrical supply house and even then will probably have to special order them.

   But if you have to do that they will have the real SQ D's in stock.

   .
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
1. 
   CeltsFan | Jun 06, 2009 10:14pm | #5

   Looked at another HD, and they had plenty of them. Thanks for the info on HOM vs. the other kind. I hadn't looked for that on my panel, and I wouldn't have known which kind to get. Mine is HOM.

4. 
   renosteinke | Jun 06, 2009 10:19pm | #6

   The idea of substituting another brand of breaker in a Square D panel has cause much heartburn in Palatine, Ill. Alas for them, there are breakers made by others that can be used in Square D panels.

   The short version is ,,, the 'classified' breakers will have an additional marking on the face, a little circle that says 'classified product.'

   Here's the UL info:

   http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/showpage.html?name=DIXF.GuideInfo&ccnshorttitle=Circuit+Breakers,+Molded-case,+Classified+for+Use+in+Specified+Equipment&objid=1074081964&cfgid=1073741824&version=versionless&parent_id=1073985614&sequence=1

5. 
   JTC1 | Jun 07, 2009 02:35am | #7

   >>couldn't seem to find Square D circuit breakers at Home Depot.<<

   Look elsewhere.

   Lowes or the corner hardware store would be good places to start - they are very common. 

   Call before you go to any electrical supply house - most houses here only sell 1 or 2 brands of panels and breakers - guy down the street sells 1 or 2 different brands.

   Get and use only Square D breakers - QO and / or Homeline are the most common Square D's for residential - no they are not interchangeable - get the one you need. Differences will be obvious when you have them in hand. Homelines are considerably taller than QO.

   A 20A single pole Square D, QO breaker should cost about $7. at retail.

   The $40 breaker which you had in your hand is probably a GFCI breaker, might be a AFCI combo breaker.

   Jim 

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.