Service Panel and Breaker Compatibility

[arkitekton]

Hi all. This is my first post here--what a great site!!.

I'm fairly new to working with electricity and with home wiring, and want to make sure that my first foray inside the service panel is a safe and productive one.

So, how does one ensure that a given circuit breaker is compatible with a given service panel?

My panel has the logo with the capital letter D inside a box. The main label on the panel contains this information:

QO COMBINATION
LOAD CENTER
CAT. QO-40M SER. T4
200 AMP CU/AL


3 other stickers inside the panel give the following information:

Made in U.S.A.
QOM200
L3ON1
40 degrees C

Tighten to 250 lb. in.
Serrer a 250 lb. po.
#4 - 300 MCM CU/AL
A7?031-609-01

TYPE QOM2
120/240 V. AC
SQUARE D. CO.
CSA


The circuit breaker itself also has the logo of the capital D inside a square and, in various places:

10 kA
120/240v -
Type QO
Al/Cu
UL listed C.B.
AB-6056
HACR
TYPE/
TIPO
CARR

That's all I can find--I've heard that an incompatible panel and breaker are fire hazards so I definitely wanted to check this out first. Thanks in advance for any help!

[househelper]

Your panel will accept Square D type QO breakers only. These should be available at any hardware or big box retailer (Cutler Hammer also makes an appoved breaker for QO panels, but they are harder to find).

Square D also makes a HOM type breaker that will not fit.

The QO panel is considered by many to be the best available.

[arkitekton]

Sounds like I have the right breaker for this panel, then.
Thanks very much!