Nomenclature

[wbalsam1]

I've heard so many different names used in an effort to describe a panelboard having a main breaker within an enclosure. What is the proper term for this? Proper name is:______________
I realize that a panelboard without a main within an enclosure is termed a "load center". What many call a "subpanel" I have called (improperly) a "remote panelboard" instead of a "remote loadcenter" which is what I now think I'll begin calling it.
Ah, the precision of language. What say you? :smile:

 

[iwire]

I've heard so many different names used in an effort to describe a panelboard having a main breaker within an enclosure. What is the proper term for this? Proper name is:______________

Main breaker panel?

I realize that a panelboard without a main within an enclosure is termed a "load center".

I have never heard that. To me a loadcenter is a marketing term used to describe a panelboard, enclosure and cover all shipped as one unit. They may or may not have main breakers.

Keep in mind that to the NEC a "Panelboard" is just the guts without an enclosure.

 

[wbalsam1]

Main breaker panel?




I have never heard that. To me a loadcenter is a marketing term used to describe a panelboard, enclosure and cover all shipped as one unit. They may or may not have main breakers.

Keep in mind that to the NEC a "Panelboard" is just the guts without an enclosure.

That's what nearly everyone around here calls it "Main Breaker Panel". As far as the other, I'll have to reword/rethink to get used to loadcenter. Colloquially, they've always been "subpanels" around these here parts. :smile:

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Slang or What

Slang or What

Fred
This is a good example of how local areas use different terms. In the area I work in, there are so many different terms used it can get downright confusing when a question is asked.

panelboard
panel
subpanel
mainbreaker panel
loadcenter
that thing
etc...

 

[ceknight]

I've heard so many different names used in an effort to describe a panelboard having a main breaker within an enclosure. What is the proper term for this? Proper name is:______________

I call 'em "main breaker panels" most of the time, but I've used other terms -- up to and including "fuse box", when the need arose. Adding to the lexical complexity is the fact that in the field, we're often referring to this thing while talking to customers. Sometimes you gotta try a few different names before the light bulb goes off in the customer's head and s/he knows which device you're referring to.

 

[tryinghard]

I'd call it a subpanel, but panelboard generally means a bolt-on type or more specific oriented. The confusion really only happens with the vendors. It's like Bob said panelboard is the guts not the can or the cover. If you place an order with a vendor as: "120/240, 3PH, 4W, 22 KAIC, cu bus, 3R subpanel" there going to reply, "You mean panelboard?" Then they'll ask, surface or flush and cover lockable, breaker locks, how many breaker spaces, what breakers are needed...

If you ask for a "200A, 1PH, 30SP, NEMA 1, main breaker, subpanel" the vendor is going to give you a 2 to 5 KAIC AL bus'ed subpanel that includes the enclosure and cover all in one package.

In the field it really doesn't matter, if it's got a main call it a "main breaker sub", in either case they are part of distribution.

 

[C3PO]

Around here "loadcenter" usually refers to a panel that is shipped with the guts in it already like a QO or Homeline panel. They could either be a Main Breaker or a MLO (main lug only). Panelboard is usualy refering to a panel that has to be put together. Like an NQOD of NF panel. Although this varys a lot depending on who you are talking to.

 

[jim dungar]

Around here "loadcenter" usually refers to a panel that is shipped with the guts in it already like a QO or Homeline panel. They could either be a Main Breaker or a MLO (main lug only). Panelboard is usualy refering to a panel that has to be put together. Like an NQOD of NF panel. Although this varys a lot depending on who you are talking to.

Around here, loadcenters are panels most often used in residential and small commercial projects. Panelboards are the panels most often used in large commercial and industrial applications.

Many years ago in the local industry marketplace, a loadcenter consisted of a MV switch+transformer+LV switchgear, what we now call a unit substation.

 

[wbalsam1]

Fred
This is a good example of how local areas use different terms. In the area I work in, there are so many different terms used it can get downright confusing when a question is asked.

panelboard
panel
subpanel
mainbreaker panel
loadcenter
that thing
etc...

Also:
Breakerbox
Fuse panel
Fuse box
Power box
:smile: