The Department of Government Services is advising residential consumers, who have electrical panels with breakers, to ensure breakers installed match the manufacturer of the electrical panels. This applies only to electrical breakers and panels manufactured by both Cutler Hammer/Westinghouse and Siemens/ITE.

Breakers manufactured by Cutler Hammer/Westinghouse should not be interchanged with Siemens/ITE electrical panels and vice versa. These breakers are made by different manufacturers and are only approved when installed in a panel of the same make.

Interchanging these breakers and panels voids the ULC and/or CSA safety testing certification on both panels and breakers. To date, there have been no incidents reported as a result of interchanging these breakers.

Consumers are advised to check to see if their breakers have been interchanged and, if so, they should contact an electrician to install the correct breakers. While a permit will still be required, the Department of Government Services will waive permit costs normally required for electrical panel work in these situations.

Anyone requiring further information can contact their regional Government Service Centre.

For phone numbers, please check www.gs.gov.nl.ca/gs/gsc/locations.stm.

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Media contact:
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Department of Government Services
709-729-4860, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca