Determining MSP busbar rating?

[Matu]

Have been seeing a fair number of these weird oversized busbar combinations. The main breaker in this panel is a 150A, and it looks like from the panel specs that a 150A main breaker is the maximum to be installed. Yet under that note it's stated that the maximum bus rating is 200A? No side sticker was found on this panel either.

At first glance, I believed the busbar was rated at 200A, but now I'm not sure.
So, for future reference, what should always be used to determine the busbar rating?
Also, what's the deal with the 150A main breaker max?

 

[petersonra]

maybe the bus itself is good for 200 amps but the connection to the main breaker is only good for 150.

 

[infinity]

What is the catalog number of the panel?

 

[masterinbama]

Cheaper for Eaton to manufacturer 200 amp bus panels and put 150amp mains in.than it is to trim bus size by a miniscule amount.

Sent from my moto e using Tapatalk

 

[Jraef]

It says right on the label, further down:
"When a main breaker is used, the panel rating is that of the main breaker".
I would interpret that to mean that the basic panel was designed as a "convertible mains" panel with 200A bus, but someone ordered it as a 150A panel with a main, so now it is a 150A panel.

Now, could you replace the 150A main with a 200A main breaker or 200A MLO lugs? According to the Series numbers of breakers they say work for the main breakers, there is a 200A available (BW2200 or CSR2200). But probably not without violating the listing of the panel now, because most likely the catalog number of the panel will be that of one with a 150A main since that was how it was originally built. TBH though, Eaton would be the final authority on this.

 

[jaggedben]

It's a 200A busbar. Says so clearly. You can use that for your 705 calcs, at least in my not so humble opinion.

I think the 'see main breaker for max rating' type of labeling is a way no telling non-electrical people that the panelboard rating can be greater than the amps the upstream components allow you to draw. So that Joe Homeowner doesn't look at his 200A subpanel fed by a 100A breaker and think he's got 200A to work with. Maybe sometimes electricians need it explained too.