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#197886 12/26/10 03:01 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 136
C
cgw Offline OP
Member
What do you think of using a load center in lieu of a regular panelboard? This may be a matter of opinion?
By loadcenter I mean a Square D QO or similar. By panelboard I mean a Square D NQOD or similar.
A specific situation - a 200 amp 42 space house panel in a small apartment building?

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,919
Likes: 30
G
Member
Are you just talking about the difference between using an integral main breaker or a back fed main in the rails?
The biggest difference is how many slots you have available after you put in the breaker. It will usually take up 8 of you slots.
The other option you have with the Square D NQOD is bolt in breakers. It seems to be available either way.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
W
Member
That for the entire building? That would mean that the landlord will pay the power bill, I didn't think they did that anymore. Usually each tenant has their own meter and panel.

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 764
K
Member
A load center would be less money. If the NQOD panelboards and bolt-on QOB cb’s aren’t specified in the plans, why you couldn’t use something else?

Last edited by KJay; 12/26/10 06:05 PM.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 599
J
JBD Offline
Member
As far as UL and the NEC care, this is no difference between a panelboard and a load center.

For your installation, the only major differences include:
Load centers are designed to fit inside of stud cavities so they are about 3-1/2" d and 14"w. Panelboards cabineets are usually 5-3/4"d and 20"w.

Loadcenters breakers are normally plug-in style while panelboards are more often, but not always (i.e. NQB), bolt-in style.


Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 332
S
Member
The NQOD gives you more space (in the form of depth) for the stuff they'll call you to add later. The real question is who's paying for it? NQOD is a lot more, especially if you use the bolt ins.

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 362
Member
Steve,
I prefer the panelboard in this situation. Unless you have space considerations. If you have a contract w/sq D and they are on it, they can be quite cost effective. I usally use the qo snap in cb but you could use the bolt on its a nice option. More room is better in my opinion.

Ob


Choose your customers, don't let them choose you.
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 136
C
cgw Offline OP
Member
I'm just looking for reasons to not use a load center.
Usually I would use a panelboard unless there were just a few circuits or I had to fit it in a 2X4 stud wall.
In this case though it is for the house loads in a very small (10 unit) senior apartment building and is single phase. On the other hand it is pretty full (about 37 circuits).


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