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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Circuit Breakers

Friday, April 15, 2022

   The building code refers to a circuit breaker as an OCPD, which stands for  Over-Current Protective Device. Here’s a selection of our articles about them:

What is the maximum number of circuit breakers allowed in an electric panel?

Can you add circuit breakers by different manufacturers to an electric panel if they fit?

My circuit breaker won't reset. What's wrong? 

What causes a hot circuit breaker in an electrical panel? 

• What temperature is too hot for a circuit breaker?

• What does maximum sum of breaker ratings per stab mean in an electrical panel?

What is the life expectancy of a circuit breaker? 

What is a tandem circuit breaker? 

What is a double tap at a circuit breaker? 

When did arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) breakers first become required?

How do I identify a combination AFCI (CAFCI) circuit breaker? 

What does a circuit breaker with a yellow or white test button indicate? 

What is the difference between GFCI and AFCI circuit breakers? 

What happens when you press the "TEST" button on a circuit breaker in an electric panel?

What is a Dual Function Circuit Interrupter (DFCI)? 

What is the difference between a Combination Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (CAFCI) and an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) circuit breaker?   

What does it mean when a wire is "overstripped" at a circuit breaker?

Why is there a GFCI breaker in the electric panel for the bathroom shower light and exhaust fan? 

What is a lock device on a circuit breaker for?

Why is the circuit breaker stuck in the middle? 

Why is there a 3-phase breaker in a single phase electric panel with only two bus bars?

What is the maximum allowed height of a circuit breaker (OCPD) above the floor?

Why is there no main shut-off breaker in my electric panel?

•  Can an unused (spare) circuit breaker remain in an electrical panel or does it have to be removed?

• Can circuit breakers be installed upside-down, with the breaker "ON" in the down position?

When did circuit breakers replace fuses in homes? 

• Does a subpanel require a main breaker by code? 

Are double tapped breakers illegal? 

 What is a classified circuit breaker? 

• What is an electrical OCPD?

• What is the difference between specified and classified circuit breakers? 

• Can you substitute two 120-volt breakers for a 240-volt breaker in a panel? 

Why did circuit breakers replace fuses?

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