No part number? No problem. Three questions will get you to the right breaker. If you get stuck, send us a photo of your panel label and we will find it for you.

Step 1: What panel do you have?

Open the panel door and look for the label on the inside of the door or on the side of the panel. It shows the brand (Square D, Eaton, Cutler-Hammer, Siemens, GE, Murray) and the series (for example QO, Homeline, BR, CH). Breakers only fit the panel they are made for, so this is the most important step. If you can see an existing breaker, its part number tells you too: QO120 is Square D QO, HOM120 is Homeline, BR120 is Eaton BR, Q120 is Siemens, THQL1120 is GE.

Step 2: What kind of breaker?

  • Standard: regular overload and short-circuit protection.
  • GFCI: protects people from shock. Usually needed for bathrooms, kitchens, garages, outdoors, laundry, hot tubs and pools. Has a test button and a white coiled wire (pigtail) or clips onto a neutral bar (plug-on neutral).
  • Arc Fault (AFCI): helps prevent electrical fires from damaged wiring. Needed for most bedroom and living area circuits in newer homes.
  • Dual Function: AFCI and GFCI in one breaker.
  • Tandem / Quad: two circuits in one space ("twin" or "slimline"). Only use where your panel label allows them.
  • Bolt-On: screws onto the bus instead of plugging in; used in commercial panelboards.

Pigtail or plug-on neutral? If the old GFCI or AFCI breaker has a white coiled wire, choose a pigtail model. If it clips onto a neutral rail with no wire, choose plug-on neutral (usually a P or N in the part number).

Step 3: How many amps and poles?

Use the same amp rating as the breaker you are replacing (the number on the handle). One handle (1-pole) is 120V; two connected handles (2-pole) is 240V for dryers, water heaters, ranges and A/C units. Shop by size: 15A, 20A, 30A, 40A, 60A, 100A, 200A.

Jump straight to your breakers

Find your panel below and tap the kind of breaker you need:

Square D QO

3/4-inch breakers; red or orange trip flag (Visi-Trip). Part numbers start with QO.

Square D Homeline

1-inch breakers. Part numbers start with HOM.

Eaton BR

1-inch breakers with black handles. Part numbers start with BR.

Eaton CH (Cutler-Hammer)

3/4-inch breakers with tan handles. Part numbers start with CH.

Siemens

Type QP breakers. Part numbers start with Q (Q120, Q230).

GE

PowerMark panels. Part numbers start with THQL, THQP or THQB.

Also available: Murray and Leviton breakers, main breakers, molded case breakers for commercial panels, and whole house surge protectors.

Still not sure? Contact us with a photo of the panel label and the old breaker. We answer Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm CST.