big orange box ignorance helps my wallet.

[brantmacga]

went to HD today to update prices on wire, loadcenters, and breakers, all of which i buy there because they SMOKE the supply houses. i happened across a square D meter/disconnect combo which is the type i always use. at the supply house, they charge me $89 for the combo and $64 for the qo2200vh main breaker. HD has the whole setup, breaker installed, for $98. i've never seen this on their shelf before so i asked the elec. dept. head about ordering them for me @ that price. he said they could, but if i wait a couple of weeks, they'll be even cheaper. he said the "new code" that has taken effect requires a visible disconnect handle outside of the meter (on residential), and that this unit doesn't meet code. so "because they'll be hard to sell", i shall reap the benefits. its nice. ps, the new code he's talking about took effect 1/1/07, and deals w/ the new hurricane wind rating for our area. whether that requirement is in there or not, i do not know, because it doesn't apply to the county that the HD is in and where i do 90% of my work. it applies to the county i live in, but my inspector there said nothing about it when we talked about its effects on my end.


bphgravity- brian, you're in florida and i assume in a higher rated wind zone than me, can you shed some light on this?

 

[kbsparky]

Do you happen to have the Square D catalog number of that beastie?

The best prices I've seen at HD for their RC816F200CH meter/main combo is $124.00

 

[brantmacga]

i think its a cm200s. that product number you have looks like a combo w/ room for 8 cb's. the one i use is a meter w/ a 200A disconnect built-in on the left side under a top-hinged cover, and no circuit breaker spaces.

 

[kbsparky]

Yes, the one I mentioned has 8 branch circuit spaces in it. Makes for easy connection for outside stuf like water pump, shed, pole light, garage, etc.

 

[satcom]

went to HD today to update prices on wire, loadcenters, and breakers, all of which i buy there because they SMOKE the supply houses.

That is intresting, in the area I am in, the prices at HD are almost twice the price, or more then the supply house, only wire, cable and some conduit, is cheaper, everything else is way out of line, with any of the local houses.

 

[brantmacga]

i wish it were that way here because it would save hours upon hours of time not having to go to HD. they even beat square D cpa prices. figure that one out. the locals supply houses mostly cater to the 'big boys' we have based here spending millions of dollars a year. small guys seem to be a waste of their time.