MLO OR MCB BREAKER

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It all depends, you'd think MLO would be cheaper because there is less stuff

in a MLO panel. FWIW if you need a 200 A main circuit breaker, it's usually

cheaper to buy the whole panel & take out 200 A main, than it is to buy the

breaker seperatly. Take ungrounded recptacles at $2.25 ea vs standard

duplex recptacle at $0.59. The quanity made of each drives the price.
 
Generally for residential there may be a $20.00 difference since they sell more MB panels. Commercial I bet there is a bigger difference. MLO is usually cheaper.
 
Is that a serious question?
In load centers MCB's are more expensive.
But in panelboards, distribution boards and switchboards, it can be a huge add to go from MLO to MCB.
Depending on AIC ratings of the equipment.
If you add a 3000A main breaker to a MLO switchboard, it has to be GFI if it's 277/480V, and it could be specified to be electronic trip, add code required coordination studies, 65KAIC rating, you could be talking 10-15K add.
 
An interesting perspective is that a main lug 150 amp panel would cost me a lot more than what a 200 amp MCB panel would cost.

There is supply demand and what the local suppliers usually stock. They get better deals on their standard materials and the other stuff cost more.
 
cdslotz said:
Is that a serious question?
In load centers MCB's are more expensive.
But in panelboards, distribution boards and switchboards, it can be a huge add to go from MLO to MCB.
Depending on AIC ratings of the equipment.
If you add a 3000A main breaker to a MLO switchboard, it has to be GFI if it's 277/480V, and it could be specified to be electronic trip, add code required coordination studies, 65KAIC rating, you could be talking 10-15K add.[/QUOTE

:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
 
Dennis Alwon said:
An interesting perspective is that a main lug 150 amp panel would cost me a lot more than what a 200 amp MCB panel would cost.

There is supply demand and what the local suppliers usually stock. They get better deals on their standard materials and the other stuff cost more.
Click to expand...

Thanks.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
An interesting perspective is that a main lug 150 amp panel would cost me a lot more than what a 200 amp MCB panel would cost.

There is supply demand and what the local suppliers usually stock. They get better deals on their standard materials and the other stuff cost more.
Click to expand...

Of course that is true, but there is no way that you can determine form the original post if the poster was asking about a particular size and type panel.
 
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