useing Murrary QP breaker in a Siemens indoor load center

I think that I have done this before but aren't sure. I have a Siemens indoor load center (18 years old) and the main Siemens MP-T 125 amp breaker is going bad, I can't find a MP-T breaker locally but the guy at store said a Murray QP 125 Amp model MP 2125 is a good replacement breaker. I just want to know if he is right before I order the Murray. I live in the boonies and have been told we don't have a local electrical code.
Thanks

 

If you have to order the breaker, why don't you order the right one, the one you know that will fit.

 

Regardless of any codes, you still need to order a part that will fit and function properly.

 

The Seimens 125 breaker isn't available. It is funny that you can ask a question and get so many answers except the one that answers your original question. Thanks anyway for your time.

 

There are suppliers that specialize in obsolete breakers. Your other option is to change the panel.

 

SIEMENS MP2125 BREAKER 125A 2P 120/240V 10KA MP-T :: STANDARD TRIP PLUG-IN CIRCUIT BREAKERS :: PLUG-IN CIRCUIT BREAKERS :: CIRCUIT BREAKERS, ENCLOSURES & ACCESSORIES :: DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT :: Edwards Supply Co., Inc.

 

When I answer a question my intent is to give good advice. The Murray circuit breaker you are asking about is a pretty standard 125A 2P plug-in style circuit breaker, but not U.L. Listed for use in a Siemens panel.

Murray 125-Amp 2 in. Double-Pole Circuit Breaker-MP2125 at The Home Depot

The equivalent breaker with the Siemens label would be this one and is commonly available.

125 Amp 2 in. Double-Pole Interchangeable Circuit Breaker-Q2125P at The Home Depot

Therefore, the Murray circuit breaker you asked about IS NOT EQUIVALENT to the Siemens breaker you now have.

My opinion is that he is wrong. My best advice is to buy a used or reconditioned Siemens breaker of the correct catalog number or replace the panel.

 

FYI:
This is the product overview list from the Murray Breaker, The new 125 Amp. Murray. It has the exact Specs and labels as the SIEMENS breaker, except the Murray label. Notice that it is listed in the product overview as
The Siemens 125 Amp 2 in. Double-Pole Interchangeable Circuit Breaker
PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The Siemens 125 Amp 2 in. Double-Pole Interchangeable Circuit Breaker features plug-in installation and INSTA-WIRE connections. The breaker is rated for a maximum load of 240 volts and has up to a 10,000 AIR. This breaker is intended for overload and short-circuit protection of your electrical system.

Use for overload and short-circuit protection of your electrical system
Helps protect your home's wiring from high temperatures caused by excess current on a wire
Thermal-magnetic
Common trip
Plug-in style
120/240 VAC
10,000 AIR
Interchangeable
HACR rated
ANSI certified and CSA- and UL listed
INSTA-WIRE connections
Note: Product may vary by store
MFG Model # : Q2125P

 

The Q2125P is a Siemens 125A 2P breaker, the Murray equivalent is a MP2125 125A 2P breaker. The Murray plug-in breakers are U.L. Listed for use in Murray loadcenters, but not for use in a Siemens loadcenter.

I don't think either one will replace a Siemens MP-T125. I still cannot find anything on a Siemens MP-T125 breaker and am beginning to think it must be a Murray breaker instead of Siemens. Go ahead and order from the hardware store guy if you think you can make it work, but I think I'd just replace the panel.

 

Putting a Murray breaker in a Siemens panel is technically the wrong thing to do but works in most cases. With a main you need to be carefully though as sometimes the mounting is strange. Can you read the paper label in the panel and tell us what it says to use? A picture helps.

 

OK, MP for multi-pole? How about this one?

 

Well, for one thing that is a 2 pole shunt trip breaker that requires 3 spaces, but besides that I think Amazon is as confused as most people are when it comes to Murray and Siemens breakers. Amazon calls this a Type MP-T125 and below in the description they clearly call it a Type QP. Murray breakers generally are the Type MP while Siemens breakers are the Type QP. Many are identical and interchangeable in every aspect except for the U.L. Listings.

From what the OP stated in his first post, I think it's entirely possible he has changed the main breaker before and used a Murray breaker in his Siemens panel. Just because it was manufactured by Siemens doesn't mean it's a Siemens breaker.

 

There isn't a Siemens 125 breaker being sold as such, that I can find. Lowes and Home Depot stores, depending on where you look, both sell Murrarys but not a Siemans 125 amp. The 125 Amp Murrary is the same breaker as the old Siemens brand with a Murrary sticker on the side. I suspect that the reason for the dropping the Siemens 125 breaker is a marketing decision, since Murrary and Siemens are the same outfit.

BTW the new Murrary breaker performs really well in the main breaker slot, this one takes up a standard double breaker (2 single slots)

 

Which Siemens breaker could you not find? Was it this one?

125 Amp 2 in. Double-Pole Interchangeable Circuit Breaker-Q2125P at The Home Depot

They may not be stocked at all stores, but they can order it for you or you can order it yourself and have it in just a few days.