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Need a Replacement Circuit Breaker? Here’s What You Must Know…

If you own or are working on an older home, you may have a vintage load center and know how hard it can be to find replacement circuit breakers. Brands like Challenger, Pushmatic, Zinsco, Wadsworth, and Federal Pacific were once leading manufacturers of residential electrical equipment.

Over the years, many of these companies shut down or stopped making certain models. This makes finding compatible replacements harder than ever! Luckily, we have replacement breakers available that meet modern electrical codes and safety standards so that you can keep your existing panel up and running without having to do a full panel changeout.

So, are you on the hunt for new breakers for your load center? Well, you have a couple of options, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. While many refurbished circuit breakers are available, we offer 100% newly manufactured breakers to update your electrical panel and keep your home powered. In this article, we’ll share our top picks for legacy circuit breakers to help you safely update your home’s electrical infrastructure.

Exploring Types of Replacement Circuit Breakers

To kick things off, it’s important to understand that not all load centers and replacement circuit breakers are the same. Different manufacturers use different designs and specifications for their breakers, which can make them incompatible with other brands. It's always best to use breakers that are specifically designed for your panel to ensure peak performance.

Load centers, also known as power panels, typically use bolt-on or plug-in style breakers. Just like it sounds, bolt-on breakers are attached to the panel using bolts, while plug-in breakers snap into place. Bolt-on breakers are usually used in large-scale power systems and industrial settings, while plug-in breakers are used in smaller panels found in single-family homes.

Circuit breakers are also offered in a variety of poles, amperages, and AIC (Ampere Interrupting Capacity):

    • Poles: The number of poles a breaker has determines how many separate electrical circuits it can control and how many phases of power it can interrupt. Residential circuit breakers are commonly offered in single and two-pole variations, which determines the voltage of each circuit.
    • Amperage: Defines the maximum continuous electrical current the breaker can handle before tripping. Common residential breakers are rated for 15 amps, 20 amps, 30 amps, and so on, depending on the circuit’s wire size and load requirements.
    • AIC: This measures how much fault current (short-circuit current) a breaker can safely interrupt before failing. Ratings around 10,000 AIC offer a standard amount of protection for most residential electrical panels.

    If your circuit breaker isn’t the right fit for your electrical panel or you exceed 80% of your breaker's maximum rating, it can lead to poor electrical distribution, overheating, and put you at a serious risk for electrical fires. So, you should always reference your load center’s specifications and choose breakers that match the manufacturer’s requirements. Not sure what you need? A quick look at your panel’s documentation or a chat with an electrician can help you find the right fit and ensure a safe installation to keep you out of harm’s way.

    Our high-quality circuit breakers are ETL Listed and available in a variety of poles, AIC ratings, and amperage ratings so that you can always find the perfect replacement circuit breaker for your home’s electrical panel. All of these breakers are carefully designed to be direct replacements and provide you with safe and long-lasting protection.

    Interested in learning more about some of the brands that our circuit breakers are compatible with? Here’s a bit of background on our best-selling lineup of replacement breakers!

    • Challenger: Challenger load centers and circuit breakers were once a popular choice for residential and commercial electrical systems, and they were known for being easy to install and reliable. Since Challenger was acquired and eventually phased out, finding compatible replacement breakers can be challenging- but we’ve got you covered!
    • Federal Pacific: Known for their compact design and straightforward installation, these panels provided essential circuit protection. While many Federal Pacific panels are still in service today, electricians often recommend replacing the breakers with modern alternatives to ensure compliance with current safety standards.
    • Pushmatic: Unlike traditional circuit breakers with spring-loaded mechanisms, Pushmatic breakers use a direct push-button design to activate and reset circuits. For safety purposes, you should always check your Pushmatic panel periodically and look for signs that it’s time for an upgrade.
    • Wadsworth: Wadsworth Electrical Manufacturing Company was a well-known brand in the mid-20th century. They produced load centers and circuit breakers that are commonly found in homes and small commercial buildings.
    • Zinsco: Once popular for their unique design, they are commonly found in older homes and commercial properties. If you have a Zinsco panel, it’s crucial to update them with new breakers that meet today’s electrical safety standards to keep your property protected from electrical hazards.


    After everything that you’ve learned in this blog, are you looking for compatible replacement circuit breakers to upgrade your electrical system? Our website offers a wide selection of Challenger, Federal Pacific, Pushmatic, Wadsworth, and Zinco breakers, as well as other options such as Siemens and Square D breakers.

    Don't risk the safety and reliability of your electrical system by using incompatible breakers. Shop with confidence on BigElectricSupply.com today!

    For any questions or to request a FREE quote, please contact info@bigelectricsupply.com or call (317)-721-4702 today