Breaker placement in panel

[nizak]

Is there an advantage to locating breakers with a high amp draw closer to the main breaker or incoming lugs? 120/240V single phase system.

I’ve got a load center with 2 open slots but it’s at the very bottom.

It’s for an electric kiln at a residence. I can’t re distribute breakers and get to the top,
It’s a 70 amp load.

Thanks

 

[infinity]

There is no advantage to putting the larger ampacity breakers at the top. Some people do this but the reality is that the bus in the panel is capable of carrying the load at any point on the bus. If it makes someone feel warm and fuzzy then put the larger CB's at the top.

 

[Jraef]

The concept has also been linked to the “heat rises” issue, with the thinking being that if large breakers are on the bottom, their heat will affect the smaller breakers above them. But if that were the case, bottom feed mains would be a problem too!

There’s nothing to any if it…

 

[nizak]

There is no advantage to putting the larger ampacity breakers at the top. Some people do this but the reality is that the bus in the panel is capable of carrying the load at any point on the bus. If it makes someone feel warm and fuzzy then put the larger CB's at the top.

Thanks!

 

[spacemancw]

What if you had your 200a main shutoff breaker at the top and a 40a breaker at the bottom for an incoming solar feed? Should the breaker for the sub-panel be closer to the solar breaker?