How to Identify an Electrical Product From Its Model Number

When you need to replace an electrical component, finding the correct product can be difficult — particularly if the original part is old, discontinued or no longer available through conventional electrical wholesalers.

The most useful piece of information is often the manufacturer part number (MPN) or model number printed on the product.

This guide explains how to identify an electrical product correctly, where to look for model information and what details to record before searching for a replacement.

What Is a Manufacturer Part Number?

A Manufacturer Part Number, commonly abbreviated to MPN, is a reference assigned to a particular product by its manufacturer.

It can consist of:

  • Letters
  • Numbers
  • Symbols
  • A combination of all three

The MPN is usually much more useful for identifying a product than its general description.

For example, searching for:

20A RCBO

could return hundreds of different products.

Searching for:

Crabtree 6FSR20/30C

identifies a much more specific product.

This is particularly important when searching for older or discontinued electrical equipment.

Is the MPN the Same as the Product Name?

Not necessarily.

A product can have several different pieces of identification information.

For example:

Manufacturer: Crabtree

Range: Loadstar

MPN: 6FSR20/30C

Product type: RCBO

Current rating: 20A

Together, these provide a much more precise description of the product.

Where Can I Find the Model Number?

The location varies depending on the product.

Look for information printed, engraved or labelled on:

  • Front of the product
  • Side of the casing
  • Rear of the product
  • Terminal area
  • Manufacturer's identification label
  • Original packaging

For modular electrical equipment such as RCBOs and contactors, important information may be split between the front and side of the device.

You may therefore need to inspect more than one label.

Start With the Manufacturer

Before searching for the model number, identify the manufacturer.

Common manufacturers of electrical equipment found in UK installations include:

  • Wylex
  • Hager
  • Crabtree
  • Eaton
  • MEM
  • Schneider Electric
  • MK
  • Lewden
  • Contactum
  • Aico
  • Ei Electronics

The manufacturer logo is often one of the easiest markings to identify.

Once you know the manufacturer, the remaining numbers and letters become much easier to interpret.

Identify the Product Range

Manufacturers often divide products into different ranges or families.

For example, Crabtree has produced electrical equipment under ranges including:

Loadstar

and

Starbreaker

Knowing the range can be important because manufacturers may produce several generations of similar-looking equipment.

Two components made by the same manufacturer are not automatically interchangeable.

Look for the Exact MPN

Once you've identified the manufacturer and range, look for the exact product reference.

Do not ignore seemingly insignificant letters or numbers.

For example:

ABC123

and

ABC123A

could potentially refer to different products.

Likewise, suffixes can indicate differences in:

  • Current rating
  • Trip characteristic
  • Number of poles
  • Voltage
  • Coil voltage
  • RCD type
  • Product generation
  • Other specifications

When searching for a replacement, use the complete model number wherever possible.

Don't Confuse the Rating With the Model Number

One of the most common mistakes is treating an electrical rating as the model number.

For example:

B32

usually describes a circuit breaker's current rating and trip characteristic.

It does not normally identify the exact product.

There may be many B32 RCBOs produced by Wylex, Hager, Crabtree, Eaton and other manufacturers.

Likewise:

100A

is a current rating, not necessarily a model number.

The manufacturer's specific product reference is much more useful.

What Other Information Should I Record?

The MPN is important, but it isn't the only useful information.

Depending on the product, record specifications such as:

  • Manufacturer
  • Product range
  • MPN
  • Product type
  • Current rating
  • Voltage
  • Number of poles
  • Trip curve
  • RCD type
  • Breaking capacity
  • Coil voltage
  • Frequency
  • Terminal configuration

Not every specification applies to every product.

For example, an RCBO and a contactor will have very different information printed on them.

Identifying an RCBO

For an RCBO, useful information includes:

Manufacturer

Product range

MPN

Current rating

Trip curve

Residual current rating

RCD type

Breaking capacity

For example:

Crabtree Loadstar 6FSR20/30C – 20A C Curve 30mA Type A RCBO

is much more precise than:

Crabtree 20A breaker

If you need more help identifying an RCBO, see our How to Identify Your Existing RCBO guide.

Identifying an RCD

For an RCD, look for information including:

  • Manufacturer
  • MPN
  • Rated current
  • Residual current rating
  • RCD type
  • Number of poles

For example, you may find a device marked:

80A

30mA

Type A

All three specifications describe different characteristics of the RCD.

Identifying an SPD

An SPD, or Surge Protective Device, can carry several important markings.

Look for:

  • Manufacturer
  • Product range
  • MPN
  • SPD type
  • Voltage ratings
  • Number of poles
  • Replaceable cartridge references where applicable

If you are replacing an individual SPD cartridge, identifying the exact manufacturer reference can be particularly important.

Do not assume that cartridges from different SPD ranges are interchangeable because they appear physically similar.

Identifying a Contactor

Contactors often require more information than simply their current rating.

Useful information can include:

  • Manufacturer
  • Model number
  • Number of poles
  • Contact configuration
  • Rated operational current
  • Coil voltage
  • Coil frequency
  • Auxiliary contacts

The coil voltage is particularly important.

Two contactors may have almost identical external designs but use completely different coil voltages.

Always identify the complete specification rather than buying based on appearance.

Identifying an AFDD

An AFDD, or Arc Fault Detection Device, may incorporate several protective functions depending on the product.

When identifying one, record:

  • Manufacturer
  • Product range
  • MPN
  • Current rating
  • Trip characteristic
  • Residual current characteristics where applicable
  • Breaking capacity
  • Number of poles

As with RCBOs, the exact manufacturer range can be important when the device forms part of a consumer unit.

What If the Model Number Is Faded?

Older electrical equipment can have faded, damaged or partially missing labels.

If you cannot read the complete model number, do not guess.

Instead, record everything that remains visible.

For example:

Manufacturer: Wylex

Visible reference: NSB...32...

Rating: B32

Other markings: 30mA

Even a partial model number combined with photographs and the product range may be enough to narrow down the device.

Search the Exact Model Number

Once you've found an MPN, search for the exact reference together with the manufacturer.

For example:

Crabtree 6FSR20/30C

is generally a better search than:

Crabtree 20A RCBO

If the product has been discontinued, try searching the exact reference before looking for alternative products.

There may still be new-old-stock or used examples available.

Check Manufacturer Documentation

If you find technical documentation for the product, compare the specifications with the component you already have.

Useful documentation can include:

  • Manufacturer datasheets
  • Product catalogues
  • Installation instructions
  • Technical manuals
  • Archived manufacturer information

This can help confirm the product's specifications and whether the model number has been interpreted correctly.

Manufacturer information should be preferred over assumptions based solely on appearance.

What If the Product Has Been Discontinued?

Don't assume that a product no longer exists simply because it isn't shown on the manufacturer's current website.

Electrical equipment can remain installed for decades after a particular product range stops being manufactured.

Older products may still be identifiable through:

  • Archived catalogues
  • Technical datasheets
  • Exact MPN searches
  • Specialist electrical suppliers
  • Surplus electrical stock
  • Used electrical equipment

If the exact product is no longer available, the next step is to establish whether an appropriate replacement exists.

See our How to Find a Replacement for a Discontinued Electrical Product guide for more information.

Take Clear Photographs Before Removing Anything

If you're struggling to identify a product, photographs can be extremely useful.

Where it is safe to do so, photograph:

  • Entire product
  • Manufacturer logo
  • Model number
  • Side labels
  • Electrical ratings
  • Terminal markings
  • Surrounding equipment
  • Product packaging if available

For consumer unit equipment, a photograph showing the surrounding breakers can also help identify the product generation.

Never remove covers or expose live electrical components simply to obtain a photograph.

Don't Buy Based on Appearance Alone

Electrical components from different manufacturers can look remarkably similar.

Even products from different generations of the same range can share almost identical casing designs.

Physical appearance does not establish:

  • Electrical compatibility
  • Correct ratings
  • Busbar compatibility
  • Coil voltage
  • Terminal arrangement
  • Breaking capacity
  • Manufacturer approval

The product markings and technical specifications are far more important.

Can't Identify an Electrical Product?

If you have an electrical component that you can't identify, send ReCircuit Resale clear photographs of:

  • The complete product
  • Manufacturer logo
  • Model number or MPN
  • All visible ratings
  • Side and rear labels where safely accessible
  • Surrounding equipment if relevant

We can help identify the product and point you towards relevant stock we currently have available.

Finding Electrical Products at ReCircuit Resale

ReCircuit Resale stocks a changing selection of new, new-other, surplus and used electrical equipment, including older and discontinued products.

Our stock regularly includes:

  • RCBOs
  • RCDs
  • SPDs
  • AFDDs
  • Contactors
  • Consumer unit components
  • Smoke and heat alarms
  • Other electrical equipment

Where possible, our product listings include the manufacturer, product range, MPN and relevant technical specifications.

This makes it easier to search for the exact component you need, particularly when sourcing older equipment that may no longer be readily available through conventional suppliers.

Important: Correctly identifying an electrical product does not by itself confirm that it is a suitable replacement. Electrical specifications, compatibility, manufacturer requirements and the requirements of the installation must also be considered. Electrical work should be carried out by a suitably competent person.