GE vs Siemens Circuit Breakers — Which Is Better?

GE Circuit Breakers (Now ABB)

GE's electrical division was sold to ABB in 2018. ABB continues to manufacture GE-compatible breakers under the GE brand for the US market.

Main residential series: THQL: standard 1-pole and 2-pole residential breakers THQB: bolt-on residential breakers THQP: slim (half-size) residential breakers

GE panels are common in homes built from the 1960s through the 1990s. The THQL/THQB series is still widely available.

Siemens Circuit Breakers

Siemens acquired ITE (which made the popular ITE Pushmatic and ITE/Gould breakers) and Murray (a value residential brand). Siemens now sells breakers under the Siemens brand for ITE and Murray panel replacements.

Main residential series: QP: standard 1-pole and 2-pole residential breakers QT: tandem (slim) residential breakers BQ/BQD: commercial residential breakers

Murray panels (common in homes built from the 1970s–1990s) use Siemens QP or Murray MP breakers as replacements.

Compatibility

GE panels require GE (THQL/THQB) breakers — not Siemens. Siemens panels require Siemens (QP/QT) breakers — not GE. Murray panels accept Siemens QP or Murray MP breakers. ITE panels accept Siemens QP breakers.

Do not mix brands in a panel — it voids the UL listing.

Quality Comparison

Both GE and Siemens produce acceptable quality residential breakers. Neither is considered premium quality compared to Square D QO or Eaton BR. For new construction or panel replacement, most electricians prefer Square D or Eaton over GE or Siemens.

For replacement breakers in existing GE or Siemens panels, use the correct brand match.

Pricing

GE THQL and Siemens QP breakers are typically less expensive than Square D QO or Eaton BR. They are widely available at home improvement stores and electrical distributors.