If you're sourcing 30-amp single-pole breakers for residential or light commercial panel work in the USA, the GE TQL1230X is one of the most widely specified options on the market. It's used in GE panels across millions of homes, it's UL listed, and it carries a straightforward set of specifications that make it easy to source and install correctly — once you know what you're working with.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the TQL1230X: full specs, panel compatibility, installation requirements, and the key things to verify before ordering to make sure you get the right breaker for your job.
Full Technical Specifications
Let's start with the numbers, because that's what matters most when you're sourcing for a specific job:
- Model: GE TQL1230X
- Ampere Rating: 30A
- Poles: 1-Pole (single pole)
- Voltage Rating: 120/240VAC
- Interrupt Rating: 10,000 AIC (Ampere Interrupting Capacity)
- Mounting Type: Plug-in
- Wire Size: 10 AWG copper or 8 AWG aluminum
- Terminal Type: Screw-in, field installable
- UL Listed: Yes, UL 489
- Brand: GE (General Electric) — distributed by ABB/Eaton depending on region
- Series: TQL (Residential Thermal Magnetic)
The 10,000 AIC interrupt rating is standard for residential applications — it meets NEC requirements for most residential panel installations in the USA. For commercial applications where available fault current exceeds 10,000 amps, you'd need to spec a higher AIC breaker, but for residential service upgrades and new construction, the TQL1230X is appropriate.
Panel Compatibility
This is where contractors sometimes run into problems — especially when replacing breakers in panels they didn't originally install. The TQL1230X is designed for GE and compatible load centers. Here's a breakdown of compatible panel families:
Fully Compatible Panels
- GE PowerMark Gold (most common residential GE panel)
- GE PowerMark Plus
- GE Energy Star Load Centers
- GE AQ (AQF, AQL series)
- Certain older GE panels dating back to the 1980s and 1990s
Compatibility Notes
GE panels after the Eaton acquisition in 2012 continued to use the same bus bar design, so TQL series breakers maintained compatibility across the transition. If you're working on a panel marked "GE" regardless of age, TQL breakers are almost certainly the right family.
One thing worth checking on older panels is the physical bus bar width and clip design. While the TQL series covers the vast majority of GE residential installs, some early 1970s panels used different clip geometries. When in doubt, bring the old breaker with you or take a photo of the bus bar before ordering.
Not Compatible With
- Square D QO or Homeline panels
- Eaton BR or CH panels
- Siemens/Murray panels
- Federal Pacific panels (also unsafe — replacement panel recommended)
- Pushmatic panels
This matters because interchangeability between brands is not permitted by the NEC without listed compatibility documentation. Even if a breaker from a different brand physically fits a panel's bus bar, it may not be listed for use in that panel — which creates a code violation and potential liability. Stick with GE TQL series for GE panels.
Common Applications
The GE TQL1230X's 30-amp rating makes it appropriate for a specific range of circuits. Here's where you'll typically see it spec'd:
Electric dryers: Most residential dryers require a dedicated 30-amp, 240V circuit on a 2-pole breaker — that's a different spec than the TQL1230X, which is a single-pole unit. Don't confuse single-pole 30A with the 2-pole 30A that dryers require. The TQL1230X is a single-pole, 240V breaker — it's not used for standard dryer circuits.
HVAC equipment: Smaller mini-split systems and window AC units sometimes call for a 30-amp single-pole circuit. Always verify with the equipment's nameplate data and installation manual before specifying the breaker size.
Water heaters: Some electric water heaters are wired on dual 30-amp circuits. Again, a 2-pole configuration is typically required for a 240V water heater, so verify your specs before ordering.
Dedicated 240V circuits: The TQL1230X can serve as one half of a 240V tandem circuit using two single-pole breakers on adjacent slots sharing a common neutral — but this depends on your panel's configuration and local code. Consult your inspector if you're doing this for the first time in a jurisdiction you haven't worked in before.
Subpanel feeds with single-leg loads: In some subpanel configurations, single-pole 30A breakers are used for specific load types. This is less common but does come up in outbuilding and garage subpanel work.
Installation Requirements
Installing the TQL1230X is straightforward — it's a plug-in breaker, so there's no complex mounting hardware involved. Here's what the installation requires:
Wire sizing: For a 30-amp circuit, NEC Table 310.16 specifies 10 AWG copper as the minimum conductor size (THHN/THWN-2 for most applications). You can also use 8 AWG copper or 8 AWG aluminum if that's what the existing wiring uses. Don't upsize the breaker without upsizing the wire — that's a code violation and a safety hazard.
Torque specification: GE specifies a terminal torque of 35 in-lbs for the TQL1230X. This is critical and often overlooked. Under-torqued connections are a leading cause of arcing and heat damage at the panel. Use a calibrated torque screwdriver — or at minimum a torque-limiting screwdriver — when landing the wire on the breaker terminal.
Bus bar engagement: When snapping the breaker onto the bus bar, make sure it seats fully and positively. You should feel a distinct click when the clip engages. A partially seated breaker can arc at the bus bar connection and may not trip correctly under fault conditions.
Labeling: NEC 408.4 requires circuit directory labeling on every panel. After installing any new breaker, update the panel schedule to correctly identify the circuit. This matters for your customer and for future contractors working on the panel.
Verifying You Have the Right Breaker
Before ordering in bulk for a specific job, here's a quick checklist to confirm the TQL1230X is the right part:
- Confirm the panel brand is GE (PowerMark Gold, PowerMark Plus, or similar)
- Confirm the required breaker is single-pole (1-pole), not 2-pole
- Confirm the ampere rating required is 30A based on the load calculation or equipment nameplate
- Confirm the existing breaker in the slot (if replacing) carries the TQL designation
- Confirm there's an open slot of the correct type in the panel for a new circuit
If all five check out, the TQL1230X is your breaker. It's a reliable, well-documented part that's been in production for decades, has widespread parts availability, and carries a strong track record in residential panel installations across the United States.
Ordering for Multiple Jobs
For contractors who regularly work with GE panels, the TQL1230X makes sense as a bulk stock item. It's one of the most commonly spec'd single-pole breakers for GE residential panels, and having a working stock means you're never holding up a job waiting on parts.
When ordering in quantity, look for suppliers who can confirm the parts are genuine GE (not aftermarket or refurbished) and who ship within two business days. At 30+ unit quantities, the per-unit price on the TQL1230X should be well below what you'd pay at a local supply house — typically 30 to 45% less depending on your volume tier.
Knowing your specs cold on a part like this is what separates contractors who run tight, efficient jobs from those who are constantly troubleshooting sourcing problems. The TQL1230X is a straightforward part — stock it right, install it right, and it'll perform for decades without issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GE TQL1230X the same as the THQL1130? No — these are different models. The TQL1230X is a 30-amp single-pole breaker rated for 120/240VAC. The THQL1130 is a 30-amp single-pole breaker in the THQL series, which includes a test button for arc fault testing. Both are GE breakers and both are compatible with GE PowerMark Gold panels, but they are not the same part. Verify your panel's requirements before ordering.
Can I use a TQL1230X as a replacement for an older GE breaker in a 1980s panel? In most cases, yes. GE maintained bus bar compatibility across residential panel generations, and TQL series breakers are typically listed as replacements for older GE residential breakers. That said, always check the panel's label and any replacement guidance listed on it — some older panels have specific restrictions noted by the manufacturer.
What's the shelf life of a circuit breaker? Stored properly (dry, room temperature, in original packaging), circuit breakers have an indefinite shelf life before installation. The thermal magnetic mechanism inside doesn't degrade from storage. Once installed, breakers are expected to last the life of the panel — typically 25 to 40 years — under normal operating conditions without nuisance tripping.