I am rewiring an older home I purchased a year ago. One hundred amp service. I am working with the contractor and the power company to bring 200A service to the load panel.

I will rewire it myself, having earned an electrician's license years ago as an elevator mechanic with Otis.

Question: Would appreciate your input as the best quality 200A main breaker load panel, 40 circuit spaces, cost is not an issue. Thank you for your professional opinions

Well, if cost is not an issue, I recommend either Square D or Cutler Hammer with bolt on circuit breakers. The wholesale cost with circuit breakers should be $800 to $900 for the Cutler Hammer, more for the Square D.

If that is too pricey, Square D QO or Cutler Hammer CH series. CH has lifetime warranty on the branch breakers & 15 year warranty on the main.

I second the Square D, QO 200 amp main breaker panel.

I would go to the local big box store and take whatever brand has the best deal on a 'contractor pack'

That is exactly what I did for the panel in my own home.

If you don't break it installing it I see no reason it will not last a long time.

I can buy 4 replacement plug in panels for the price of a fancy bolt-on panel will cost me.

Not to say I don't like bolt-on I just do not see the need for it in a home panel.

[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 09-23-2006).]

Square D offers a lifetime warranty on the residential installations of QO and Homeline.

For the situation described Square D QO is most appropriate. The design & quality is above the competion. Bolt-on is better, just as an 18-wheel could be considered a better truck, but not really needed for a trip to the hardware store.

Tom, do they have AFCIs for any of the bolt-on panels? I've not noticed any available (except for plugging a QO AFCI into an NQOD panel), which would seem to be a problem for residential use of bolt-on panels.


[This message has been edited by SolarPowered (edited 09-23-2006).]