Circuit breakers have become an essential component of an electrical system. You can’t let electricity flow without the use of circuit breakers. These breakers control the flow of the electrical current so that electricity flows easily and dangers such as overcurrent don’t happen.
Murray breakers have long been the most popular for controlling and stabilizing current. However, due to the lack of finding this brand, it has become hard to find suitable compatible alternatives.
This article will dive into more details about circuit breakers and alternatives to Murray circuit breakers that are compatible and work well.
What are circuit breakers compatible with Murray?
The three main circuit breakers compatible with Murray are Siemens circuit breakers, Square D circuit breakers, and Cutler-Hammer Circuit Breakers.
These breakers have many features that make them compatible with Murray.
What are circuit breakers?
A circuit breaker is a device that functions mainly as an automatic circuit protection system. This means that circuit breakers are designed to eliminate damage caused by overcurrent or short circuits when using electricity.
So, circuit breakers serve as a protection mechanism that protects equipment, prevents the risk of fire, and ultimately protects your house from fire hazards and danger.
There are a variety of sizes of circuit breakers depending on the place where it is needed. For example, a house will need a small-sized circuit breaker, while other large breakers will be needed in cases such as using high voltage circuits that pass through an entire city.
Who invented the circuit breaker?
The first person to ever invent breakers was Thomas Edison. Specifically, it happened in 1879, Thomas Edison got the idea of developing the first circuit breaker ever. He sketched different concepts in his scientific journal. Then, in the same year, he got a patent for his new invention.
His invention was a revolution and the starting point for all the breakers that we see in the modern world. Because of his invention, every electrical system uses circuit breakers for safety measures and protection.
How do circuit breakers work?
In order to understand how breakers work, it is necessary to understand how electricity in houses works. There are three attributes that define electricity and explain how electricity flows.
These three attributes are:
- Voltage: This is the force or pressure that makes an electric charge move.
- Current: The rate at which the electric charge moves through the conductor and can be measured at any particular point.
- Resistance: The opposition to the flow in an electric circuit.
These three elements are related to each other and affect an electric circuit. For example, If you increase the voltage or decrease the resistance, more charge will flow in the electric current. But, If you decrease the voltage or increase resistance, less charge will flow in the current.
There are two types of breakers designed, the basic and the advanced breakers, where each is used based on what’s suitable for the electric current.
01. Basic breakers
The design of the basic breaker has a switch as part of its components. This switch is connected to either a bimetallic strip or an electromagnet.
The two ends of the switch are connected through a wire. So, when the switch is switched on, electricity flows from the bottom terminal, through the electromagnet, to the upper terminal.
When the electricity reaches the magnet, it magnetizes it, causing an electric magnetic force. If you increase the current, there will be a boost in the magnetic force. While decreasing the current lowers the magnetism,
Therefore when the current jumps to really high and unsafe levels, the electromagnet is strong enough to pull down a metal lever connected to the switch linkage. This leads to breaking the circuit, so electricity shuts off.
02. Advanced breakers
The advanced circuit breakers use electric components such as semiconductor devices to monitor electric current levels. Advanced breakers are more accurate and shut the current very fast and smoothly, but they are more expensive than basic circuit breakers.
Murray circuit breakers
Murray circuit breakers are very popular and are among the first breakers to appear in the market. Mainly, the first Murray circuit breakers available were thermal-magnetic circuit breakers.
These special breakers use features of thermal and magnetic characteristics to control excessive electric current that accidentally occurs. The creation of the Murray circuit breakers revolutionized the breakers industry.
Features of Murray circuit breakers
The unique features of the Murray circuit breaker make it one of the most well-known and used circuit breakers. The main benefits of these breakers come from consisting of thermal and magnetic features.
Because it consists of these features, it contains two switching mechanisms, which are: a bimetal switch and an electromagnet. Both mechanisms control excess currents.
So, how does this happen exactly? When the current is higher than the set parameter, the heat bends the bimetal, rotating the trip bar, which opens another path for the electric current resulting in eliminating an overcurrent.
As for the electromagnetic component, it is made up of a metallic center surrounded by a wire coil, forming an electromagnet. When the current flow is really high in the wires, the electromagnet generates a magnetic field strong enough to attract a nearby armature.
When the armature moves towards the electromagnet and becomes very close, an electrical pathway opens, resulting in stabilizing the current and the electromagnetic coil.
Limitations of Murray circuit breakers
Even though Murray circuit breakers can control excessive electric current, it has three major limitations that cause these breakers to stop working properly:
Can’t withstand extremely high heat: Due to high temperatures from the electric current, the bimetal bending capabilities are affected negatively, leading, eventually, to the bimetal wearing out.
Unable to tolerate high current loads: Murray circuit breakers are able to withstand only 3 to 4 the full load electric current. This poses a problem in places where there is frequent current overload.
Has low durability: The metal strips become weaker whenever an electric current passes through. This can cause a surge in electric current because the metal strip couldn’t perform properly.
Circuit breakers that are compatible with Murray
There are some compatible brands that you can use instead of Murray, and they work well. These brands have features that allow them to be compatible when you want to use them instead of Murray’s circuit breakers.
Criteria for choosing compatible circuit breakers
There is a criterion that you need to know when deciding which circuit breakers to buy that will work well. The following should be taken into consideration when buying suitable breakers:
- Size: This is the first thing that you should look at when choosing a breaker. The replacement should be the same size as the Murray circuit breaker.
- Model number: The model number is either on the breaker or on the packaging box. Regardless of the brand, there is a higher chance that the suitable breaker will have the same model number as the one you want to replace.
- Brand: Your panel box can contain a list of the compatible brands inside it. However, the older your box is, the chance is higher that the information has eroded or disappeared.
- Professional recommendations: A professional electrician can better help you if you are hesitant about which circuit breaker is suitable for you. The electrician can offer you recommendations about which circuit breaker is most compatible.
What are circuit breakers compatible with Murray?
01. Siemens circuit breakers
Like all breakers, the best choice is to always replace the Murray breaker with another Murray breaker. However, the Murray breakers’ production stopped in 2019.
So, the alternative is to get circuit breakers from the company that bought Murray’s company. Since 2002, all Siemens and Murray’s breakers have been compatible and made the same.
However, there is no guarantee that any Murray circuit breakers made before 2002 are compatible with Siemens’s breakers.
2.) Square D circuit breakers
These breakers are characterized by their high durability, reliability, fast installation, and ease of use. Square D is one of the most popular brands and is found nearly everywhere.
These breakers are very similar in their mechanics to Murray breakers. One of their very special features is that they are safe to use, especially when dealing with their electrical components.
3.) Cutler-Hammer Circuit Breakers
Cutler Hammer breakers are another alternative to Murray circuit breakers. They are well known for their ability to control current for a long period of time, meaning these breakers are very durable and wear out after a period of time,
Even though they are interchangeable with Murray breakers, you have to check your local code first to see if it is legal to install the Cutler Hammer circuit breaker.
Some other questions: FAQs
Related Questions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1.) Are Murray breakers still being made?
Answer: As a brand, the Murray breakers are being phased out and replaced by Siemens products. All breakers before 2002 aren’t compatible with Siemens, so you have to make sure to look for other compatible circuit breakers.
Q2.) How often should a circuit breaker last?
Answer: The lifespan of a circuit breaker is between 30 to 40 years. Some of the really common causes that affect a circuit breaker’s lifespan are fluctuations in voltage and poor power ratings.
Conclusion
The importance of breakers is huge because everything in the modern world functions with electricity.
So, circuit breakers are necessary for safety measures when operating electricity. Therefore, it is important to choose breakers that are durable, reliable, and easy to use.
Murray breakers are unique and very popular. However, because they aren’t produced anymore, it is best to look at breakers that are compatible with Murray breakers.
We have mentioned the different breakers brands that are most compatible with Murray circuit breakers.
Comment below which circuit breaker you prefer and love to choose to control electric current safely.