Best Loadcenter? and why?

Status
Not open for further replies.
busman

busman

Senior Member
Location
Northern Virginia
Occupation
Master Electrician / Electrical Engineer
Probably a too difficult subject, but are there any objective reasons to pick a loadcenter and if so, which do you use and why

* Easier Installation (bending space, location of neutrals/grounds)?
* Better AFCI breaker performance?
* Price?
* Like the looK?
* Others?

I know this is kind of a GM/Ford/Mopar type question, that's why I was looking for objective qualities.

Me personally - I like SqD QO, the grounds/neutrals are where I like them?

Thanks for any responses.

Mark
 
Hands up, SQ D for either commercial and residential. Easier to maintain breaker and hardware stock at less overhead cost, familiarity with product used in majority of industry. There are a lot of other good brands out there, but unless they are spec required, one quality brand saves overhead costs.
 
We use CH. I bought most of my supplies from one supplier at the beginning and used the panels he stocked. Every few years, he changed product line and it was not for the better, just cheaper for him. I told him one more change and I was changing.

Haven't regreted it at all. The product is excellent and pricing is competitive if I buy box quantities of breakers and panel at the same time.
 
GE, copper bus and galvanized coated can, which is better than the painted type. Much better grounding connection when terminating old AC cables on a service upgrade.
 
wbalsam1 said:
Federal Pacific :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
Click to expand...

Yeah, but only the Stab-Loks. The rest of their stuff is junk. :)

--

My vote goes to CH. I only do residential old work and I seem to do less cursing when I'm swapping into a CH panel, just little things like generous working space, big neutral bars as someone else mentioned. And the knockouts always seem to be right where I want them, so I don't have to pull out my unibit and get it dirty. And hey, I like that sandalwood color. :)
 
So there you have it bussman. Take your pick. Try one and see if you like it, as you can see everyone has a difference of opinion. I used CH for years but my supplier dropped them so now I use GE-- I was very resistant to change but I am very happy with GE. I haven't has any issues with it so --- I also like the long neutral bar on both sides of the panel.
 
For resi, my preference is Cutler-Hammer's CH series. (although I sorely miss PushMatic. I wish they'd make them again)
For commercial, it's QOB for 208 and 240. Higher voltage panels, I'm less particular, but I like to keep the same brand in the same building. You can't beat an I-Line for an MDP, however.
I'll use anyone's switchgear.
 
Last edited:
we use ch and siemens for resi depending on the builder and sq d for commercial. i like the siemens except for the ko's they are always a pain. I learned using a lot of siemens so the neutral bus's on the ch's seem backwards to me, but on the same hand i like thier ko's because they are so easy to work with. either way i'll use what the boss gives me and i'm just happy to be working. just my 2 cents
 
we do a lot of panel change puts and service upgrades and I tell you I have never seen a wadsworth or a pushmatic panel go bad

Pushmatics were really bolt on panels for residential. I wonder why stabbing on breakers really became acceptable?

I have seen almost all other brands burn up at the bus bar and most of the time its electric furnaces.

We use the BR series Cutler and it gets the job done. I still like the GE panels just out of old habits

I find Homeline a bit junky though considering the QO is top of the line

CH classic is good and I dont think the BR series is as low end as the homeline (just my little opinion)

Jim
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top