[Unclenard]

I have an old General Switch panel in my 1950's house with a mix of breakers that I'm sure will make most cringe. It looks like it has Bryant BR, GE not sure type, Siemens QP, Gould ITE, Square D Homeline, and some really old breakers with no print on the front at all.
The 50 amp 2 pole in slots 3 and 4 for a central air unit is what I would like to replace. I know most will probably say the whole box needs replaced, which I agree but cannot do right now.
Are there any suggestions on a particular breaker to replace it with?
I've attached two pictures, one of the label and one of the panel.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Oso954]

Your panel label lists both Westinghouse and Bryant breakers. The Eaton BR breakers are the replacement for those breakers.

The Eaton CL breakers are a classified replacement for the Murray MP line.

 

[Wiredindallas]

General Switch panels are ok in my option, but never use General Switch breakers. Those breakers (which I do not see any in your panel thank goodness) would trip once and never reset.

 

[Unclenard]

Thanks for the responses. That 50 amp two pole that I want replaced keeps tripping after the heat has been on a while, not at start up. I had an A/C guy out to check the current draw of the unit and he said it was only pulling around 34 amps max. There is a new 40 amp breaker in the closet with the A/C unit and it doesn't trip. So I am assuming that 50 amp is bad. A/C guy said I should actually have a 40 amp there instead of the 50 amp too. I'm not even sure what brand those blank old breakers are at the top of the panel. They aren't General Switch breakers I take it.

 

[Wiredindallas]

The 1 mentioned could be an original General switch. I haven't actually seen one since the early 80's. The original breaker had waffle sides and were light as a feather.

 

[Unclenard]

So if all those unlabeled breakers are General Switch breakers, I should probably replace them all with Eaton BR breakers while I'm in there? And maybe that Square D in the top right, it doesn't look like it is sitting in there correctly?

 

[Wiredindallas]

When you remove one of the unlabeled breakers, you can read on the side what brand it is. If it were me , I would replace with GE. I am not fond of type BR as it is the old Challenger brand which was a lesser quality brand.

 

[Unclenard]

Would the GE THQL be the replacement for the TQL/TQAL listed on the panel sticker?

 

[GrampaDave]

IIRC, GE does not list THQL as a replacement for TQL - or anything, really. There is a strong family resemblance, but in their own panels, THQL and TQL are mechanically incompatible. Neither one seats completely. (Early production of THQL may fit but not late production.) If it fits in your panel, and the stab voltage drop is low and stable (we're talking millivolts), fine, but an inspector may give you trouble anyway.

I discovered the incompatibility through personal experience with my old GE panel.