QO Bolt on panel

[jhawkbb]

Saw an interesting panel today and not sure I fully understand it. Didn't want to ask my journeyman so Ill ask here. It was a 3 phase 42 space panel without any main lugs or an actual main breaker so the main breaker was installed in what would have been spots 2,4,6. But the numbering on the panel didn't start at the main breaker it started below it so the panel only numbered up to 36. My question is if all the spots below the breaker are full could you use the spots beside it? The spots that would have been 1,3,5 but are not labeled because 1,3,5 start below the main breaker. Hope I described that well enough. I should have taken a picture.

 

[kwired]

Saw an interesting panel today and not sure I fully understand it. Didn't want to ask my journeyman so Ill ask here. It was a 3 phase 42 space panel without any main lugs or an actual main breaker so the main breaker was installed in what would have been spots 2,4,6. But the numbering on the panel didn't start at the main breaker it started below it so the panel only numbered up to 36. My question is if all the spots below the breaker are full could you use the spots beside it? The spots that would have been 1,3,5 but are not labeled because 1,3,5 start below the main breaker. Hope I described that well enough. I should have taken a picture.

Square D does that for main breaker panels 100 amps (or less) in three phase models. Especially in the plug on series panels, but apparently they do it with the bolt on series as well.

The catalog number doesn't designate it as a 42 circuit panel but rather a 39 circuit panel (I think - would need to double check that to know for certain). The spaces adjacent to the main (2,4, and 6) are normally usable. I know I have run into one model a few times that is designated as a 27 circuit panel but it really is build on what would otherwise normally be a 30 circuit panel.

 

[bullheimer]

cant see why they wouldnt be useable as long as you could unscrew the bolts that hold them down on the bar.

 

[iwire]

Typically those spots have been unusable, the factory either puts rivets or one way screws in the bus holes opposite the factory installed main.

 

[sii]

Not sure about QO but some SD 3-phase breakers are constructed so that you cannot install a breaker on the adjacent side. I think they only do that over 100 amp though.

 

[domnic]

ask journeyman

ask journeyman

If you are a apprentice and you have a question you should feel free to ask the journeyman and he should try to answer if he can if not he is not much of a electrician.

 

[iwire]

If you are a apprentice and you have a question you should feel free to ask the journeyman and he should try to answer if he can if not he is not much of a electrician.

So you figure all electrians need to be able to answer all questions? Your profile says electrian but you ask a lot of questions here. :angel:




jhawkbb, feel free to keep asking questions here, there is not an electrian alive that can answer every question that comes up.

The things I do not know about this trade greatly exceed what I do know, we all need help at times.

 

[dkidd]

there is not an electrian alive that can answer every question that comes up.

There are some here who can, or think so. :blink:

 

[iwire]

There are some here who can, or think so. :blink:

Well we are electricians which means we know how to do every other trade better than those making a living at it.

 

[jim dungar]

A main breaker does not have to be counted in the number of branch circuits allowed in a panel.
What is important, is the number of protective devices the factory intended the panel to have not, how many can be physically installed.

 

[domnic]

journeyman

journeyman

So you figure all electrians need to be able to answer all questions? Your profile says electrian but you ask a lot of questions here. :angel:




jhawkbb, feel free to keep asking questions here, there is not an electrian alive that can answer every question that comes up.

The things I do not know about this trade greatly exceed what I do know, we all need help at times.

I said that a journeyman should try to answer the question if he knows the answer. if he is not willing to help he is not much or a electrician. ANY ELECTRICIAN WHO DOES NOT ASK QUESTIONS IS NOT MUCH OF A ELECTRICIAN !

 

[dkidd]

You said

if he can if not he is not much of a electrician.