A circuit breaker cross-reference maps a discontinued catalog number to the manufacturer's current frame, or to a surplus unit of the original. This hub indexes the obsolete molded-case families we cross-reference and source most often. Every match is a starting point — frame, voltage, interrupting rating (AIC), poles, and trip type decide whether a swap is drop-in or a project. Send the catalog number off the breaker face and we'll verify before you buy.
Cross-reference by manufacturer
| Brand | Obsolete families | Current frame | Hub |
|---|
| Square D | FA / FAL, KA / KAL, LA, HDA / HJA, MA / MH | PowerPact H / J / L / M / P | Square D → |
| Eaton / Cutler-Hammer | EHD, FD, HFD, KD, GHB, Series C | Current Eaton frames | Eaton → |
| GE | TED, TEY, TEC, Spectra | Current GE / ABB frames | GE → |
| Westinghouse | FB, KB, LB, Tri-Pac | Eaton (successor) | Westinghouse → |
| Siemens / ITE | ED, FD, BQD, Sentron | Current Siemens frames | Siemens → |
What a cross-reference must match
- Frame and amp rating — the breaker's continuous current and frame size.
- Voltage class — 240, 480, or 600 VAC, per the catalog code.
- Interrupting rating (AIC) — the most-missed spec; match or exceed the original.
- Poles — 1, 2, or 3.
- Trip type — thermal-magnetic vs electronic trip.
- Mounting — unit-mount, bolt-on, or I-Line plug-on; footprints differ.
- Accessories — shunt trip, auxiliary and alarm switches, undervoltage release, lugs.
Cross-reference, or surplus drop-in?
A new-frame cross-reference is the long-term answer; a surplus original keeps the panel exactly as-built with no bus or lug rework. We quote both so you can choose by downtime and budget. When a current frame doesn't share the old footprint, our fabrication side builds adapter plates, filler hardware, and bus extensions so it fits.
Beyond breakers
For obsolete controls, see the Allen-Bradley PLC & drive cross-reference.
FAQ
What information do I need to cross-reference a breaker?
The catalog number from the breaker face, or a clear photo. Frame, amp rating, voltage, interrupting rating, poles, and trip type all matter; the catalog number encodes most of them.
Is a cross-reference a guaranteed drop-in?
No — it's a starting point. Confirm frame, voltage, interrupting rating, poles, trip type, and mounting against the original before ordering. We verify the match on every quote.
Why does interrupting rating (AIC) matter so much?
Two breakers can share frame and amp rating but have very different interrupting ratings. Under-rating the AIC is unsafe; a cross-reference must match or exceed the original's interrupting rating for the available fault current.
Can you supply the original instead of a new frame?
Yes. We source new-surplus, used-tested, and reconditioned originals so you can keep a panel as-built, with condition disclosed before sale.
Do you cross-reference across brands?
Yes, where a valid equivalent exists — for example Westinghouse to its Eaton successor. We say so plainly when a true equivalent does not exist and a panel change is the honest answer.
Request a Quote
Request a Quote
or send the catalog number off the breaker to sales@edmundsonindustrial.com · (832) 975-8827 · Houston, TX. Same-day response on most requests.
Related cross-reference pages