questions about replacing old guts in main panel

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zappy

zappy

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Location
CA.
I've never done this before.Can i get the new guts at the supply house?Are most panels capable of this?Any code issues doing this?Thank you.
 
I doubt you will find a new panel that will fit the old panel, however I hear that Cutler Hammer makes guts for any panel. Just give them the dimensions and they will send it out. Good luck.
 
If you have a panel that is still a current model for a current manufacturer you may be able to buy replacemenr guts. This is certainly true for the larger panels where the guts already have their own number and are known as a "panelboard." I inquired once about new guts for a Square D QO panel once and they were available for about a dollar less than the whole load center.
 
I've bought panels to cannibalize when I needed an interior. It can be cheaper than buying parts any other way.
 
I have done it many times. It's a serious time saver, especially if it's a flush mounted panel with a bunch of conduits running in and out of all sides.

Obviously if the panel is still available the job is much easier but all you need to do is measure carefull so the new cover fits. You may have to drill some holes.

Is it a code violation? Someone somewhere would probably reject it but I've done it 30-50 times.

One apartment building we maintainan has 125 amp QO panels in which the bus likes to burn at the AC breakers. Homeline guts fit perfectly with only 2 holes drilled in the cover.
 
Did my first one 3 or 4 weeks ago, original GE box had 7 conduits coming into it from 3 sides. Just pulling the guts and replaceing them took 2 hours. I originally quoted the job for 10 hours. I used the homeline product thier service was great call them up give them some measurements and they will custom make you one and ship it too you in about 2 weeks. You will have to drill a couple of holes but overall I was pleased with the product.
 
220/221 said:
One apartment building we maintainan has 125 amp QO panels in which the bus likes to burn at the AC breakers. Homeline guts fit perfectly with only 2 holes drilled in the cover.
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It almost seems like you guys in AZ or anywhere else with 100+ for months on end and heavy AC loads should use bolt-on breakers for everything. But then you won't have much service work fixing burned up panels, would you? :D
 
Jhaney said:
Did my first one 3 or 4 weeks ago, original GE box had 7 conduits coming into it from 3 sides. Just pulling the guts and replaceing them took 2 hours. I originally quoted the job for 10 hours. I used the homeline product thier service was great call them up give them some measurements and they will custom make you one and ship it too you in about 2 weeks. You will have to drill a couple of holes but overall I was pleased with the product.
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what kind of price are you looking at for the service?
 
$2000 covered it all, but keep in mind this is customer I have a contract to do all lighting repairs for, meaning I change their lightbulbs weekly for a set hourly fee
 
keep in mind my materials were costs were over $600 for everything. But you are correct it is kind of high, if you look at my other post my original qoute was for 10 hours labor for 2 guys and material. When i went to order get my supplies and schedule a date for the refurb my supply house showed my the refurb kits so I got to be the first one to try it out. I just left my original quote the same and believe it or not they were thrilled not only did they not have to shut the store down for a full day but I was the cheapest bid (which kind of bothered me):-?
 
maybe we are confused about what im asking, let me re-phrase the question....
how much did they charge you to custom make the panel guts?
 
I believe (scratching my head) $430 for 100 amp, 3 phase, 120/208v, 24 space set of guts that includes cover but no breakers
sorry about that I live in a state of confusion :roll:
 
Jhaney said:
I believe (scratching my head) $430 for 100 amp, 3 phase, 120/208v, 24 space set of guts that includes cover but no breakers
sorry about that I live in a state of confusion :roll:
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I have worked on some jobs where that would have been a nice option to have had, I will have to keep it in mind.:)
 
It almost seems like you guys in AZ or anywhere else with 100+ for months on end and heavy AC loads should use bolt-on breakers for everything
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Not a bad idea but the typical 40 space resi meter/panels we use are only 120 bucks and breakers are 4 bucks a pole. The Seimans version has a copper bus now and I've not seen a problem with copper bus.

Square D make the combo bolt on plug in panels for commercial use. A resi version would be cool.
 
220/221 said:
Square D make the combo bolt on plug in panels for commercial use. A resi version would be cool.
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Yeah, the NQOD series. Those of use with basements and plenty of clearance can use NQOD in residential...for you guys with outdoor all-in-one panels you're out of luck. ;)
 
This becomes a non UL listed assembly.

Is the liability worth it?

Tie in NFPA 70 E and you have just opened pandora's box.....................
 
Is the liability worth it?
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I aint scared.


I KNOW it is a 100% safe installation. No one could possibly get hurt from my work.


If a bogus claim comes up, I have insurance.

Life is too short to get bogged down with details. I would never get anything done if I didn't assume SOME risks. No passengers in my car, too much liability. No kids playing at my house, too much liability. The list goes on and on. You will not be 100% protected unless you are isolated from the rest of the world and that's not likely to happen.
 
Risk...

Risk...

To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.

Yet risks must be taken.The greatest hazard in life is risking nothing.The person who risks nothing,has nothing,does nothing,is nothing.
 
"They use to say if mankind could fly, he'd have wings, but he did fly. He discovered he had to. Do you wish that the first Apollo mission hadn't reached the moon, or that we hadn't gone on to Mars and then to the nearest star? That's like saying you wish that you still operated with scalpels and sewed your patients up with catgut like your great-great-great-great grandfather used to.

"I'm in command. I could order this, but I'm not because Doctor McCoy is right in pointing out the enormous danger potential in any contact with life and intelligence as fantastically advanced as this, but I must also point out that the possibilities - the potential for knowledge and advancement is equally great.

"Risk! Risk is our business! That's what this starship is all about. That's why we're aboard her. You may dissent without any prejudice. Do I hear a negative vote?" ~ Capt. Kirk in Return to Tomorrow
 
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