Panel Rating

[mimo]

what is the Difference between MLO rating and and the main bus rating for a panel and how i calculate the MLO for a panel, also what is the KAIC for a panel or breaker stand for and how I van calculate it,
Thanks in advance
I love this forum it's like a University

 

[WDeanN]

MLO or main bus rating should be on the panel. It's the current carrying capacity of the panel.

KAIC - Kilo Amps Interrupting Capacity. Should also be included with panel information. It is the amount of fault current that the panel can withstand safely. You'll have to calculate the available fault current at the location for the panel, and compare it to the KAIC rating of the panel. If there is more fault current available then the panel can withstand, you should replace the panel.

 

[mimo]

sometimes I see a differnce in the rating for panles like the MLO is 150A and the main bus is 225A, I know how to calculate the amp rating for a panle but I'll to know how to calculate the MLO rating if there is a way to do it,
thanks

 

[charlie b]

One does not calculate the amp rating of a panel. Instead, one calculates the load that the panel will serve, and selects a panel that can handle that load.

I was not aware that the same panel could have separate ratings that depend on whether a main breaker is installed. Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

[jim dungar]

sometimes I see a differnce in the rating for panles like the MLO is 150A and the main bus is 225A, I know how to calculate the amp rating for a panle but I'll to know how to calculate the MLO rating if there is a way to do it,
thanks

The only reason the MLO rating would be different from the bus bar rating would be due to the size of the lugs included.