Caselec:
In our area, we have a local switchboard mfg, (Gavin-Graham) that creates a real nice custom gear, but alas, yes it's "pricey".
Ya get what ya pay for.
The "major" brands (Sq D, & CH) make decent equipment. C-H being Challenger/Cuttler Hammer, and whoever else merged or got gobbled up by them.
Yes, sometimes price influences the outcome. Also, "hunger" at the mfg end can sometimes make a $$$ difference. THe 6-8 weeks lag time can be a pain in the neck sometimes, and if ya want it "quick", the "surcharge" costs are really stiff.
Seems the C-H goods are a factory assembly of "tinker toy" parts, haven't figured out what takes 6-8 weeks as of yet.
Yes, there are options for the buss, alum or copper, with $$ differences. Reliability is good; last problem we had, a CT section fell of the back of the truck... got pretty crunched-up, took a while determine responsibility, ship it back, and wait for another serction to be built.
John
