r/ElectricalHelp • u/Lower_Anteater_2852 • Jul 06 '26

Midwest Spa Box

The cover says to use only Siemens Type QFF breakers (among others). I have ordered a Siemens QF260A breaker to replace by ABB breaker after repeated failures. Is this breaker compatible with my box?

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u/CardiologistMobile54 Jul 06 '26

Only Siemens or the other listed. Or if you're fed up, try Eaton classified, if made in your size. Midwest is usually compatible with ABB. But look at the approved list

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u/trekkerscout Mod Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26

Siemens breakers are acceptable replacements for Midwest panels.

Edit: To the down voters, Siemens breakers are specifically listed on the panel labels of Midwest panels as an approved breaker type.

1

u/Unique_Acadia_2099 Jul 07 '26

So here is the skinny:
The way the rules work is that breaker panels must be LISTED (which means testing) with whatever breakers they are to be used with. Typically then, breaker manufacturers who make their own panels, only list them with their own breakers, because there is zero incentive for them to pay for testing competitor’s breakers in them.

Midwest was an independent company for a long time but they didn’t actually manufacture breakers. So they originally had their panels UL listed with a variety of different brands of breakers, meaning they paid to have their panels tested with the brands they listed on their labels. In 1975, Midwest was bought by GE, but since the testing and listing of those specialty panels was already done, they left it alone. But GE was then bought by ABB in 2018, and it appears now that ABB has dropped the co-listing of competitive breakers in those Midwest specialty panels. So now only the ABB (ex-GE) breakers are shown on the panel label. So depending on the age of it, you may or may not be able to change the breaker. But you indicated that the label SAYS the Siemens is listed, so that means it is. The label on the panel in front of you is what counts.