ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (CoolWill), 250 guests, and 13 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#69898 09/23/06 11:33 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1
L
Junior Member
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

Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,044
Tom Offline
Member
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.


Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 821
S
Member
I second the Square D, QO 200 amp main breaker panel.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
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).]


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 599
J
JBD Offline
Member
Square D offers a lifetime warranty on the residential installations of QO and Homeline.

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 615
J
Member
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.

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 625
S
Member
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).]


Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5