Best Circuit Breakers for Home: Top 10 Selected for You!

A circuit breaker of the type used in homes looks something like a toggle switch used to turn a light on and off. Essentially it consists of a calibrated bimetallic strip similar to that used in a thermostat. As current flows through the strip, heat is created and the strip bends. If enough current flows through the strip, it bends enough to release a trip that opens the contacts, interrupting the circuit just as it is interrupted when a fuse blows or a switch is opened. In addition to the bimetallic strip that operates by heat, most breakers have a magnetic arrangement that opens the breaker instantly in case of a short circuit. A circuit breaker can be considered a switch that opens itself in case of overload.

Circuit breakers are rated in amperes, just as fuses are rated. Like fuses, breakers will carry 100% of their rated loads in open-air indefinitely without tripping. And, like fuses, circuit breakers mounted in enclosures will run hotter and therefore have the same limitation of 80% if they are used for continuous loads unless specifically designed for that application.

Manufacturers of breakers furnish curves showing how long breakers of a particular variety will carry specific overloads. Most breakers will carry 150% of their rated load for perhaps a minute; 200% for about 20 seconds, and 300% for about 5 seconds, long enough to carry the heavy current required to start a motor.

When you select a circuit breaker, always choose one that can sustain the largest potential overcurrent, which is likely to occur in the application. The circuit breaker rating has to be selected according to the total load connected to the home. For this reason, you have to know the current capacities of individual appliances. You can distribute your load with 1, 2, 3, and 4 pole circuit breakers according to the requirements of your installation. We have listed different circuit breaker options for you below.

Best Circuit Breakers for Home

The best alternatives for circuit breakers that can be used in residential installations are:

1. Schneider Electric HOMT1515 Circuit Breaker 1 pole 15A

Square D HOMT1515 is an ideal choice for home users. This plug-in-type circuit breaker provides overload and short-circuit protection. It allows you to run two separate 15A circuits in the space of one regular circuit breaker. With its compact size, it can be mounted to any electrical box. HOMT1515 promises compliance with the latest regulations, transparency on environmental impacts, as well as circular and low-CO2 products.

Brand: Schneider Electric

Model: ‎HOMT1515

Number of poles: 1 pole

Current: 15A

Voltage: 120/240V

Breaking capacity: 10kA

Dimensions: ‎3 x 2.5 x 1 inches

Weight: ‎3.2 ounces

2. Eaton CHFCAF115 Combo Arc Fault Circuit Breaker 1 pole 15A

This breaker is sturdy and fits Cutler-Hammer boxes perfectly. Eaton’s next-generation AFCI products feature superior protection and circuit diagnostics, along with exclusive features. CHFCAF115 is designed to reduce unwanted tripping from non-compliant devices. Trip codes are stored permanently into the breaker’s memory, to identify the cause. It meets the 2015 CEC® for areas requiring combination AFCI protection.

Brand: Eaton

Model: CHFCAF115

Number of poles: 1 pole

Current: 15A

Voltage: 120V

Type: Arc Fault Circuit Breaker

Breaking capacity: 10kA

Dimensions: 6.5 x 3.5 x 1.25 inches

Weight: ‎ 6.4 ounces

3. Leviton LB115 Circuit Breaker, 1 pole 15A

Leviton LB115 provides overload and short-circuit protection. It can be easily plugged on at final installation. It also features a color indicator in the handle to easily see operational status at-a-glance. It has an aesthetic and rocker-style handle.

Brand: Leviton

Model: ‎LB115

Number of poles: 1 pole

Current: 15A

Voltage: 120 V

Breaking capacity: 10kA

Dimensions: ‎ 3.1 x 1 x 3.9 inches

Weight: ‎5.6 ounces

4. Siemens Q115 Circuit Breaker, 1 pole 15A

Siemens Q115 thermal-magnetic circuit breaker is the key element for overload and short-circuits protection of your home’s electrical system. Q115 protects against severe electrical shock or electrocution, mitigates the risk of electrical fires, and protects against damaging surges and voltage spikes. It provides an easy plug-in connection. It is intended for use in Siemens EQ, Siemens Ultimate, ITE, and Gould load centers or meter combinations.

Brand: Siemens

Model: ‎Q115

Number of poles: 1 pole

Current: 15A

Voltage: 120 V

Breaking capacity: 10kA

Dimensions: ‎3 x 3 x 1 inches

Weight: ‎3.84 ounces

5. Connecticut Electric UBITBA120L Circuit Breaker, 1 pole 20A

This 120-volt Challenger “A” Series 20 amp, single pole, the replacement circuit breaker is used in a Challenger load center. Typical applications, up to 2,200 watts, include kitchen circuits, branch circuits, wall receptacles, electric heaters (up to 1,650 watts), dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, window air conditioners (110V, up to 5,500 BTU), and electric motors (3/4 hp to 1-1/4 hp).

Brand: Connecticut Electric

Model: UBITBA120L

Number of poles: 1 pole

Current: 20A

Voltage: 120 V

Breaking capacity: 10kA

Dimensions: ‎‎1.4 x 4 x 6 inches

Weight: ‎‎3.2 ounces

6. Schneider Electric HOM220 Circuit Breaker, 2 pole 20A

The main purpose of the HOM220 circuit breaker is to ensure the protection of low-voltage electrical installations. It protects during 20 years the installation against overloads and short-circuits in the circuit with assigned voltage 120/240 VAC and rated current 20A In. This protection is ensured in accordance with the following parameters:

Brand: Schneider Electric

Model: HOM220

Number of poles: 2 pole

Current: 20A

Voltage: 120 V

Breaking capacity: 10kA

Dimensions: ‎‎ ‎3 x 1.9 x 3 inches

Weight: 10.5 ounces

7. Siemens Q230 Circuit Breaker, 2 pole 30A

At the heart of this system is the load center, an electrical panel that includes circuit breakers, which help protect you and your home 24 hours a day from electrical shock, fire, and other damage that could be caused by overloads or short circuits. In the event of an electrical fault, Q230 circuit breaker automatically “trips” to cut off the potentially dangerous current. The double pole Siemens breaker may be used in 1 or 3-phase load centers and are 240V rated.

Brand: Siemens

Model: Q230

Number of poles: 2 pole

Current: 30A

Voltage: 240 V

Breaking capacity: 10kA

Dimensions: ‎‎ ‎3 x 2 x 3 inches

Weight: 10.5 ounces

8. ABB ‎S201C10 Miniature Circuit Breaker, 1 pole 10A

System pro-M compact S201-C10 miniature circuit breaker is current limiting. It has two different tripping mechanisms, the delayed thermal tripping mechanism for overload protection and the electromechanical tripping mechanism for short circuit protection. This product complies with IEC/EN 60898-1, IEC/EN 60947-2, UL1077 allowing its use for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Bottom-fitting auxiliary contact can be mounted on S200 to save 50% space. It is din rail mounted.

Brand: ABB

Model: S201-C10

Number of poles: 1 pole

Current: 10A

Voltage: 230 V AC

Breaking capacity: 6 kA

Dimensions: ‎‎ 88 mm x 17.5 mm x 69 mm

Weight: ‎4.4 ounces

9. ZGLEDUN Miniature Circuit Breaker, 1 pole 20A

It is a high-quality AC mini breaker that is used for line overload, short circuit protection, and infrequent conversion of lines. It can also work as an on-off switch for load circuits. The modular structure can be easily installed on the DIN standard guide rail in the distribution box, bistable locking clip.

Brand: ZGLEDUN

Model: DZ47-63

Number of poles: 1 pole

Current: 20A

Voltage: 120 and 240 V AC

Breaking capacity: 6 kA

Dimensions: ‎‎ 2.6 x 3.1 x 0.7 inches

Weight: 2.89 Ounces

10. Schneider Electric A9F74240 Miniature Circuit Breaker, 2 pole 40A

Circuit breakers can break a faulty electrical circuit (short-circuit, overload, insulation fault), to prevent fires. This IEC circuit breaker is excellent for total system protection.

Brand: Schneider Electric

Model: A9F74240

Number of poles: 2 pole

Current: 40A

Voltage: 120 and 240 V AC

Breaking capacity: 6 kA

Dimensions: ‎‎ 3.74 x 1.38 x 2.95 inches

Weight: 2.89 Ounces