Are you rebuilding your equipment? Let NPE supply you with new replacement labels to bring them back to “like new” condition. NPE replaces worn labels with new labels when doing our “Class One” reconditioning procedure.

We have a database full of common labels that are available with same day shipping. If we do not have the particular label you need, no problem, in most cases we can design your label from scratch. Just provide us with a picture and dimensions.

It is important to communicate with safety labels the electrical hazards like voltage and shock hazards. We have some of these common warning/danger labels and we can also customize these labels for your specific needs.

We offer our labels on both silver and white adhesive paper which are then laminated for extra durability. No minimum quantity required. Contact us online, give us a call or send us an email for a quote!

General Electric produced a line of medium voltage air circuit breakers called the MAGNE- BLAST for over 30 years. This product line was very popular and was produced in a wide range of sizes and ratings to meet customer’s needs.

Particular attention needs to be paid to several parts of the nameplate when you’re looking for replacement MAGNE-BLAST breakers or parts for these GE circuit breakers. This flow chart was designed to streamline the specification process and help you identify your MAGNE-BLAST designation.

Even with the flowchart, it can still be easy to miss specifics for designation There will be additional information that you will need. Rated Amps, close and trip voltage, and mechanism type can all be found on the nameplate. When in doubt, a photo of the nameplate and a photo of the breaker from the front will give your supplier a clear understanding of what you need. The following photos of MAGNE-BLAST nameplates show how important details like the letter suffixes are in determining exactly what you need.

Still confused? Contact us today or try our Mobile Ap- NPE on the Go  and we’ll help your figure it out. As a circuit breaker supplier, that’s what we’re here for.

Finding old or obsolete General Electric circuit breakers can be challenging. GE has produced circuit breakers for over 70 years, which can make it difficult to match the right models and model numbers to your needs. In this article, we’ll present a brief history of GE’s circuit breaker production and help you understand how to identify what circuit breaker you’re looking for.

A Brief History of General Electric Circuit Breakers

GE’s “Slate back” line of type AE and AL air circuit breakers was its first product line utilizing one of the first true inverse time elements to obtain automatic “resettable” overcurrent protection. These breaker lines have generally been upgraded since the original series overcurrent trip units with solid state trip units or retrofilled with more modern breakers  Sometime later, technological improvements prompted a redesign. GE iresponded by ntroducing the AK line of breakers. These models featured improved electro-mechanical trip units and were designed to fit both AKD and AKD5 switchgear.

In the 1980’s, GE redesigned the AK line and gave the product line the AKR prefix. Although they may initially seem similar in appearance to the older style, the AKR design has been improved and is not interchangeable with previous versions. This product line was designed to fit both AKD6 and the later redesigned for future vintages righ up through AKD10.

As products and technology continue to evolve through the Wavepro and AKD 10 up through and including Entelliguard and AKD 20 switchgear. These changes make it very important for users to be able to read breaker numbers to identify which type of breaker model they need.

How to Read a General Electric Breaker Number Basic Designation Chart

All of  the digits in an AK or AKR model number identify important characteristics of the breaker. It is important to either understand these details or be able to relay that information to a supplier that has a working understanding of them.

When it comes to reading and understanding an AK or AKR breaker number, let’s start by using an AK-25 circuit breaker as an example. At a glance, with the door closed, most AK-25’s look the same, but the missing digits between the AK and 25 reveal important information that is needed to assure a safe and proper fit. You can use these quick guidelines to identify the specific model of a General Electric circuit breaker:

4 Steps to Identifying GE Circuit Breaker Model with the 

1. The first part, “AK”, tells you the general designation of one of two switchgear vintages that the breaker will fit in - AKD or type AKD 5.
2. The last part, “50”, indicates one of the smaller feeder breakers that is rated 1600 amp AC continuous and has a frame rating of 50,000 amps interrupt (AC). 
3. There are up to 4 more spaces for letters or numbers between the AK and 25 that are important.
   1. One could be a “U” which would indicate the addition of current limiting fuses.
   2. Another could be an “F” which designates a special field discharge option.
   3. There will be a number, most likely a 2 but it could be a 3, 4, all the way up to 10, which designates which type of trip unit that was installed at the factory.
   4. After the 2 or other trip unit number there could be an “A”. Absence of an “A” indicates that it is for AKD switchgear, the presence of it indicates it is for type AKD5 switchgear.
4. For more information on how to understand what each letter or digit of the model number means, we’ve developed a guide. This guide will help you identify most of the options built into your breaker from the factory and which, if any, will need to be changed or upgraded.

Other Questions to Ask When Identifying Type AK and AKR GE Circuit Breakers

In addition to knowing the brand and product number you’re looking for, here are some other questions to help identify the perfect solution for your needs:

• Is the breaker A. electrically or B. manually operated?
• If A, what is the voltage of the close coil, control relay and trip coil?
• If A, do you have a wiring diagram number? 
• Why type of trip unit is needed?
• What trip function is required?
• Are any accessories like bell alarm or under voltage protection required?

To download this chart click here: flowchart for AK and AKR circuit breakers  If you’re still having trouble or are unsure of what you need, just let us know and we’ll be happy to walk you through the process.

At National Power Equipment, Inc. our staff has been specifying breakers, parts and accesories for over 40 years. We specialize in Air and Vacuum Circuit Breakers from 600 v- 15 kv ac and from 1940's vintage through current production. this includes medium voltage (2.3kv -7.2 kv) motor starters and primary switches.  

Our hands-on experience starts with current production equipment and goes back to equipment dated in the 1940's!

 Suggestions when looking for a replacement breaker

- Get more information than you think you'll need. Details matter!

- Nameplates are great place to start, but often don't give us all of the information we nee. 

- Photo's really are worth 1000 words! From the front, back, bottom they all help!

- When in doubt go to our mobile ap NPE on the Go.  We'll walk you through the details and give you a place to attach some picture!

Find a Circuit Breaker Supplier That Asks the Right Questions

We realize we ask a lot of questions that's because we want you to get the right breaker or part, the first time.

Just think what you might be getting from somone who doesn't ask these questions!

When you have questions about your circuit breakers, contact us today. If we can’t help you with your specific problem, we’ll tell you and then direct you to someone who can. That’s what we are here for.

If your trying to find replacement circuit breakers and parts for you switchgear for your facility, lets go over a few facts. 

• Over 80%* of switchgear running commercial, inustrial facilities and hospitals and military installations is over twenty years old
• Original equipment manufacturers consider most of these obsolete and no longer support them with new components yet the with proper maintenance will remain reliable for many years to come.
• Used equipment dealers are your source for equipment and solutions to stay up and running:
  • Safely
  • Reliably
  • Economically

National Power Equipment Inc's (NPE) warehouses are filled with thousands of circuit breakers and switchgear cabinets, and tens of thousands of parts. These product lines date all the way back to World War II, and its staff is well versed in specifying equipment for them.

We also carry a private line of "Aftermarket Parts" designed and manufactured by NPE to replace many of these faulty parts with new and improved versions. These products are so good and with lead times that are measured in days, not months- many can even be shipped on the day they are ordered for next day delivery. You can find them here www.npeinc.com/parts.

National Power Equipment’s “Class One” process of reconditioning equipment brings equipment back to “like new” condition. The process includes:

• Breakers are disassembled to its smallest components and inspected for wear and damage.
• Parts re-plated, stripped, and painted to “like new” condition.
• Breaker reassembled with new sis wiring and upgrades and testing to modern industry standards.

Available Old, Obsolete, and Discontinued Circuit Breakers

NPE warehouses a wide variety of old, obsolete, re-manufactured, and refurbished circuit breakers, specializing in low voltage (600 Volt AC or less) through medium voltage (15KV) circuit breakers, switchgear, and parts. Our inventory includes equipment from the following circuit breaker brands:

• Allen Bradley Circuit Breakers
• Allis Chalmers / Siemens Allis Circuit Breakers
• Boltswitch Circuit Breakers
• Eaton / Cutler Hammer Circuit Breakers
• FPE Circuit Breakers
• General Electric Circuit Breakers
• GTE / Sylvania Circuit Breakers
• ITE / BBC / ABB Circuit Breakers
• Joslyn Clark Circuit Breakers
• Powell Industries Circuit Breakers
• Pringle Circuit Breakers
• Roller Smith Circuit Breakers
• Sace Circuit Breakers
• Square D Circuit Breakers
• Toshiba Circuit Breakers
• Westinghouse Circuit Breakers

Keep the Power Running with Replacement Parts

In order to maintain your equipment, you're going to need access to parts!  

These parts can include relays, transformers, trip devices, fuses, and switchgear and don't forget our Aftermarket Parts Store!

The Aftermarket Parts Store is loaded with the kind of hard-to-find parts that always seem to be needed. These parts are available as new copies of the original part, often complete with improvements that will help keep the part in service longer than the originals!

Hard-to-Find Circuit Breakers

If you’re unsure where to look for an older or obsolete circuit breaker, start with our circuit breaker equipment search or our mobile ap NPE on the GO to see if the product you’re looking for is in our inventory. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, there’s a good chance we know how to help. Contact us for those hard-to-find circuit breakers or equipment, and we’ll be happy to navigate you in the right direction. 

At NPE our motto is always, "The right equipment, at the right price, right now!"

 ED 12/22

*Based on informal survey of customers 1994-2024