Panelboard/load center

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Vertex

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Is it proper to interchange the terms "panelboard" and "load center"? I was recently told that "load center" is a patented name but I have found no evidence to support that claim.
 
You will not find the term "load center" in the NEC, whereas panelboard is recognized by the NEC.

The term "load center" is a manufactures term for a specific type of panelboard.

I am not aware of the fact that the term "load center" is patented, I know of a couple of manufactures that use that term.

Chris
 
Vertex said:
Is it proper to interchange the terms "panelboard" and "load center"? I was recently told that "load center" is a patented name but I have found no evidence to support that claim.
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As far as the NEC and UL are concerned there is absolutely no difference between a panelboard and a loadcenter.

Loadcenter is a marketing/industry term given to cost reduced panelboards.

You cannot patent a name, but you can trademark one.
 
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Panelboards are defined in the NEC, and are not the same thing in regards to what a manufacturer calls a "loadcenter". Load centers include panelboards as part of their loadcenter assembly. The loadcenter assembly also includes an enclosure which is most likely a cabinet as per NEC definitions.
 
I find that most of time when a person uses the term "panelboard", they are actually refering to the enclosure the panelboard is in such as a cabinet.
 
bphgravity said:
I find that most of time when a person uses the term "panelboard", they are actually refering to the enclosure the panelboard is in such as a cabinet.
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I know that I am definitely guilty of abbreviating the correct term "Enclosed Panelboard" is to simply "panelboard" in most conversations. But, regardless, a loadcenter is an "enclosed" panelboard and is not restricted to or prohibited from specific types of installations by the NEC.
 
I have always refered to "panelboard" as one with bolt-in breakers ( or the ones that accept bolt-in and plug-in) and a "loadcenter" as one that only accepts plug-in breakers. Right or wrong, that's how it works in my mind.
 
When I hear "switchboard" I think of a Distribution Panel with multiple fusible buckets or "switches". Again, this is all from my feeble mind and the years spent in the industry talking shop. Some terminology may be wrongly applied but it is what comes to mind when I hear the "buzz" word.
 
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