You've found a Cutler-Hammer (or older Westinghouse) breaker that's failed, and discovered it's no longer made. The good news: because Eaton is the OEM successor to both brands, almost every legacy frame has an official replacement. This Cutler-Hammer discontinued breaker replacement guide gives you the frame-by-frame cross-reference to Eaton Series C, the checks that turn a frame into an exact part number, and the option to keep your panel unchanged with an original from stock. We cross-reference and stock circuit breakers in all four conditions.
Who makes Cutler-Hammer and Westinghouse breakers now?
Eaton does. Eaton acquired the Cutler-Hammer business and, in 1994, took over Westinghouse's electrical distribution and control business — consolidating those legacy molded-case lines into what is now the Eaton Series C family. Eaton has since folded the Cutler-Hammer name into the Eaton brand.
For a plant engineer, the important part is that the OEM lineage is unbroken: there's an official successor for almost every legacy frame, and Series C breakers were designed to drop into many existing Westinghouse and Cutler-Hammer panelboards and switchboards. That means a discontinued breaker usually doesn't force you to replace the whole panel — you cross-reference to the current Series C equivalent, or source the original.
Cutler-Hammer / Westinghouse to Eaton Series C cross-reference chart
Navigating the legacy catalog comes down to the frame letter and the ampere rating. Eaton carried the same frame letters forward (an old F-frame becomes an Eaton FD, a K-frame becomes a KD, and so on), and an 'H' prefix denotes a higher interrupting rating (FD vs. HFD, KD vs. HKD). Use the frame letter to find your row, then confirm the exact rating.
Amp range (typical) | Legacy Westinghouse / Cutler-Hammer frame (examples) | Eaton Series C equivalent frame | Trip / notes |
15–125 A | E-frame (e.g., EB, EHB) | E-frame (EGB, GHB) | Thermal-magnetic |
15–225 A | F-frame (e.g., FB, HFB) | F-frame (FD / FDB / HFD) | 'H' prefix = higher interrupting rating |
Up to 250 A | J-frame (e.g., JA, JB) | J-frame (JD / HJD) | Thermal-magnetic |
Up to 400 A | K-frame (e.g., KA, KB, HKB) | K-frame (KD / HKD) | Thermal-magnetic |
Up to 600 A | L-frame (e.g., LA, LB, HLB) | L-frame (LD / HLD) | Thermal-magnetic or Digitrip |
Up to 800 A | M-frame (e.g., MA, MB) | M-frame (MDL) | Digitrip electronic trip |
Up to 1200 A | N-frame (e.g., NA, NB) | N-frame (ND / NB) | Digitrip electronic trip |
1600–2500 A | R-frame | R-frame (RD) | Digitrip RMS electronic trip |
Legacy designators and example part numbers above are a starting map, not a finished part number — the exact Series C catalog number also depends on interrupting rating, poles, and trip type. Verify against Eaton's current cross-reference, or send us the legacy number and we'll return the exact match.
" A cross-reference is a starting point, not an approval. Physical fit does not equal code, UL, or AHJ acceptance. Always confirm the exact rating and installation against the equipment nameplate and your local Authority Having Jurisdiction before energizing "
A frame match isn't a part number — confirm these five things
The chart tells you which Series C frame to look at. To land on the *correct* part number, match these five:
- Exact ampere rating. The frame sets the ceiling; you still specify the trip rating within it.
- Interrupting rating (kAIC). Legacy breakers came in standard and high-interrupting versions. Match or exceed the available fault current at your voltage — an 'H'-prefix Series C frame is the higher-interrupting option.
- Trip type. Thermal-magnetic on smaller frames; larger L/M/N/R frames often use Digitrip electronic trip units. Replicate the behavior you have.
- Poles and voltage. Confirm 2-, 3-, or 4-pole and the system voltage.
- Mounting, connections, and accessories. Fixed vs. plug-in vs. drawout, lug type, and any shunt trips, auxiliary contacts, undervoltage releases, or handle mechanisms.
Get any one of these wrong and the breaker may fit but protect the circuit incorrectly. If you'd rather not chase all five, send us the legacy catalog number and we'll return the exact Eaton Series C match.
Get any one of these wrong and the breaker may fit but protect the circuit incorrectly. If you'd rather not chase all five, send us the legacy catalog number and we'll return the exact Eaton Series C match.
Have a discontinued Cutler-Hammer loadcenter instead?
If what you're holding is an old residential or light-commercial loadcenter (a panel) rather than industrial gear, the path is different from the molded-case cross-reference above. Legacy Cutler-Hammer 'Type CH' and 'Type BR' loadcenters each take their own breaker line, and Eaton Type BR breakers are also UL-listed for certain legacy Westinghouse, Challenger, and Bryant loadcenters.
" Read the panel label first. The deadfront or door is marked with the breaker types the panel accepts (for example, 'Use Type BR'). Match that listing exactly, and confirm with your local AHJ — a breaker that merely fits the bus is not automatically a listed, approved combination. . "
Three ways to solve a discontinued Cutler-Hammer breaker
- Cross-reference to Eaton Series C. Use the chart plus the five checks to identify the current equivalent. Best when you're comfortable moving to the successor part.
- Source a new-surplus or obsolete original. Keep the installation identical with an original Cutler-Hammer or Westinghouse breaker from stock. Best when documentation, spares standardization, or a fleet of matching panels makes an exact original easiest.
- Modernize the gear. Replace the panelboard or switchboard outright — usually unnecessary given Series C's backward compatibility, but an option during a larger upgrade.
We can cross-reference the Eaton Series C part or supply the original from inventory, so a single failed breaker doesn't turn into a full gear replacement.
How to read a Cutler-Hammer / Westinghouse catalog number
The frame letter leads (E, F, J, K, L, M, N, or R), sometimes with an interrupting prefix such as 'H' for high-interrupting; the characters that follow indicate poles and ampere rating. That frame letter is all you need to enter the chart above. If the nameplate is worn or painted over, don't guess — send us a photo and we'll identify it.
Get an exact cross-reference, same day
Have a discontinued Cutler-Hammer or Westinghouse breaker? Send us the catalog number (or a nameplate photo) and we'll match the exact Eaton Series C part — or supply a new, new-surplus, or obsolete original from our inventory. Orders placed before 12 PM EST ship the same day. Browse circuit breakers in stock or send us your part number for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Eaton. Eaton acquired the Cutler-Hammer business and took over Westinghouse's electrical distribution and control business, and those legacy molded-case lines are now Eaton Series C. The Cutler-Hammer name has since been folded into the Eaton brand.
It depends on the frame. Legacy E, F, J, K, L, M, N, and R frames cross-reference to the matching Eaton Series C frame — for example, an F-frame maps to FD or HFD. Confirm the exact ampere rating, interrupting rating, and trip type before ordering.
In many existing panelboards and switchboards, Series C was designed to be a drop-in for legacy Westinghouse and Cutler-Hammer molded-case frames. Still confirm the rating, poles, and the equipment label and your local AHJ before installing.
Many legacy frames are discontinued, with Eaton Series C as the successor. Original breakers remain available through new-surplus and obsolete inventory, which lets you keep an existing panel unchanged.
Yes. New-surplus and obsolete original Cutler-Hammer and Westinghouse breakers are available from distributors such as JW Electrical Supply — often the simplest way to keep an installation identical.