new service preference?

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sparks27

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you guys out there who install panels all the time. Im gonna do a service change and am wondering which panel type you think is best? this is a relocate and upgrade to 200A. I'm also licensed c-10. I just don't install that many. been a few years.
 
Re: new service preference?

Do you mean which brand?

I'm partial to Square D and Cutler Hammer, but they are all just about the same. And there aren't many choices either: GE, Murray/Siemens, Square D and C-H.
 
Re: new service preference?

I prefer Square D QO panels for resi. work....and light commercial, QOB for heavy commercial and industrial applications.
 
Re: new service preference?

Cutler Hammer has two lines.

The "clasic" brown CH, and the lower priced BR.

For quality: Cutler Hammer - CH (with copper buss), or Square D - QO (rumor has it that they have better breakers).

For price: Cutler Hammer - BR or Siemens.
 
Re: new service preference?

what is the price and advantage to the I-line around here I have only seen QO and home line. we have no Square d dealers near by

[ January 08, 2006, 06:11 AM: Message edited by: wyatt ]
 
Re: new service preference?

wyatt you may have notice I put a ;) on my post.

I-Line is in my opinion some of the best, however it is big, it is expensive and it would be very surprising to see it installed in a home.

The main benefit in my mind is the ease of changing breakers.

A Square D I-Line single pole 20 can fit without changes in the same spot a I-Line 3 pole 1000 amp breaker would fit.

schneider-electric.jpg


This breaker looks like a 225 to 400 amp version.

sd_ka_225_color_nbg_Lf_5_1951.jpg
 
Re: new service preference?

Bob,
I had a client tell me to specify an I-line panel so that the breakers can be changed will the board was energized.
I explained that the same PPE was required no matter what the panel type or manufacturer. Plug in type breaker didn't relieve him of the same analysis and consideration of shock and arc flash. The client said that his electrician doesn't think protection is needed when replacing breakers in an I-Line panel, I politely disagreed.
 
Re: new service preference?

Square D QO (Quick Open) breakers does clear a fault faster than any other competitive breaker I am aware of. That can be annoying at times but, a good feature when things go bad. They are available at the big orange box store- good if you need a quick replacement- but I can't say the same thing about C-H. That could be a local thing in this part of the country though; C-H is still trying to crack into the market with new home construction. Around here there are a LOT of FPE panels still in service. Most of the Zinsco have already turned to ashes so anything would be an improvement over those.
 
Re: new service preference?

The temptation is certainly there and I will not say I have never done it.

When I was an apprentice installing breakers hot was what I was taught. I-Lines where such a relief compared to installing the hardware (Bus fingers) and bolting on a breaker to live bus.

We even drilled live bus to tap them.

Now as I have had safety training my views have changed. The last I-Line breaker I installed was done during a scheduled shut down. :)
 
Re: new service preference?

the company I work for uses CH It's a good panel life time on the breakers. I just wished they had a trip indicator don't know if breaker was triped or turned off when T/S. we did do a job once the home owner wanted a SD QOB 400amp load center $$$$ we said we could get the samething with 2 200 CH and have more spaces. But he was paying the bill.
 
Re: new service preference?

Ive been to a product knowledge class on circuit breakers and Square D QO is my choice for residential.Its a little more expensive but well worth it.
 
Re: new service preference?

Ive been to a product knowledge class on circuit breakers and Square D QO is my choice for residential.Its a little more expensive but well worth it.
Click to expand...
Its a good choice Butch, I don'd dispute that for a second, but it is also one of the reasons I could out compete you on bidding the same jobs. Cuttler Hammer breakers interupt a short circuit just fine. I have a pair of dykes around someplace with ark holes in them, that I could show you to prove it.
 
Re: new service preference?

Since I used to work in the Square D plant, watching 70,000 or more single pole QO breakers go out the door every day, I have to say that I am rather partial to them. However I can also tell you from that experience, that Sqaure D Homeline breakers go down the same assembly line, have most of the internal parts exactly the same as QO. Are tested and inspected in the exact same manner on the same machines. The biggest difference is the case the parts are installed in, the jaws where thet snap on to the busbars, and the absence of the red flag in the homline breaker. If you ever get to Lincoln NE, be sure to inquire about a tour of the facility. It is extremely impressive.
 
Re: new service preference?

the thing i recall most about I-line breakers is that the always arrive in the "tripped" position. Wonderd why, until one day, long before the advent of PPE and safety meetings, I reset one to the "on" position and proceeded to install it.
Do you realize that the KA frame will balance very well if you insert three fingers in the lugs as if you were holding a bowling ball ?
Leason #1456 learned that hard way. :D :D
 
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