Square D Panels with Built In Cable Slots

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jmellc

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Location
Durham, NC
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Facility Maintenance Tech. Licensed Electrician
Partner went to Big Orange for a panel for a night job. Got a Homeline. It had the built in cable slot connectors all through the top and bottom. Only 4 combo ko's to use for anything else. Maybe not so bad if using it new, but we were reconnecting cables brought down a plywood wall in a certain order, many too short to move much. This panel requires the 14's in one section, 12's in another and only a few slots at all for 10's.

Our local Square D dealer has a QO panel on display with same stuff. If standard panel cans get too hard to find, I will ditch Square D as much as I can. I've always liked the brand above all others but they are really irritating me with such junk as this. Before this, it was the Homeline direct stab AFCI breakers. Several times, I had to order standard ones with a pigtail. I've never gotten over my anger with AFCI's to start with and didn't need the new ones shoved down my throat.

I may start using BR as my standard first choice. Much better than GE, some better than Siemens, reasonably priced and usually available.
 
I think it's just a phase they're going through. They'll grow out of it. Or it will get old.

I don't know why some one can take a perfectly good product then screw it up.

Same thing with Jim Beam , They took a perfectly good bourbon and started mixing all these crazy flavors with it. :sick:
 
I basically agree with you. The Quick Grip is great for new construction. For service upgrades - not so much, especially when dealing with old cloth or vintage romex with the extra thick sheath.
 
peter d said:
I basically agree with you. The Quick Grip is great for new construction. For service upgrades - not so much, especially when dealing with old cloth or vintage romex with the extra thick sheath.
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We just installed one in a house that was built in the early 60’s. It worked well. Time will tell if it’s a good idea or not.
 
jmellc said:
This panel requires the 14's in one section, 12's in another and only a few slots at all for 10's.
Click to expand...
A royal PITA for replacements! :rant: And where are all of the larger cables supposed to enter? :?


I may start using BR as my standard first choice. Much better than GE, some better than Siemens, reasonably priced and usually available.
Click to expand...
I've had zero issues with BR, residential and 3ph. Does what's needed and competitively priced.
 
I agree that the installation is of more concern that the longevity.
 
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LarryFine said:
A royal PITA for replacements! :rant: And where are all of the larger cables supposed to enter? :?
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Amen! the product would be a lot better if the plastic inserts had their own swappable inserts to handle larger cable sizes. Older houses with SE cable running to the AC, range and dryer, or a feed to a subpanel, make the factory inserts less desirable.
 
LarryFine said:
A royal PITA for replacements! :rant: And where are all of the larger cables supposed to enter? :?



I've had zero issues with BR, residential and 3ph. Does what's needed and competitively priced.
Click to expand...


Yes, we had 3 8-3 cables and a 6-3. Any more & we'd have had to put j boxes and take cables down to the sides.

BR also has a classified breaker, legal for most other common panel brands. I am for sure leaning toward them now.
 
Buck Parrish said:
I think it's just a phase they're going through. They'll grow out of it. Or it will get old.

I don't know why some one can take a perfectly good product then screw it up.

Same thing with Jim Beam , They took a perfectly good bourbon and started mixing all these crazy flavors with it. :sick:
Click to expand...

peter d said:
I basically agree with you. The Quick Grip is great for new construction. For service upgrades - not so much, especially when dealing with old cloth or vintage romex with the extra thick sheath.
Click to expand...

chris1971 said:
We just installed one in a house that was built in the early 60’s. It worked well. Time will tell if it’s a good idea or not.
Click to expand...

JFletcher said:
Amen! the product would be a lot better if the plastic inserts had their own swappable inserts to handle larger cable sizes. Older houses with SE cable running to the AC, range and dryer, or a feed to a subpanel, make the factory inserts less desirable.
Click to expand...

Yes, something like that might be good.
 
jmellc said:
Partner went to Big Orange for a panel for a night job. Got a Homeline. It had the built in cable slot connectors all through the top and bottom. Only 4 combo ko's to use for anything else. Maybe not so bad if using it new, but we were reconnecting cables brought down a plywood wall in a certain order, many too short to move much. This panel requires the 14's in one section, 12's in another and only a few slots at all for 10's.

Our local Square D dealer has a QO panel on display with same stuff. If standard panel cans get too hard to find, I will ditch Square D as much as I can. I've always liked the brand above all others but they are really irritating me with such junk as this. Before this, it was the Homeline direct stab AFCI breakers. Several times, I had to order standard ones with a pigtail. I've never gotten over my anger with AFCI's to start with and didn't need the new ones shoved down my throat.

I may start using BR as my standard first choice. Much better than GE, some better than Siemens, reasonably priced and usually available.
Click to expand...
Square D did not stop making traditional end wall design, your partner either didn't pay attention to what he was getting or that store stopped selling them or was out of stock or something.

Can say the same for plug on neutral breakers.

Kind of no different then knowing if you need standard or decora, white, ivory, almond... you need to know what it out there and what you actually need.
 
Those cans are still special order at my square D supplier.

For everyone talking about replacing loadcenters, square D makes a can specifically for that with end plates that open fully and an oversized cover so you can cut the wall open longer above and below the can. C-H makes one also.


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brantmacga said:
Those cans are still special order at my square D supplier.

For everyone talking about replacing loadcenters, square D makes a can specifically for that with end plates that open fully and an oversized cover so you can cut the wall open longer above and below the can. C-H makes one also.


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Click to expand...
Isn't CH the one that has retrofit panelboards that fit into many old cabinets? That could be a little frustrating to accidentally pick up if you weren't paying attention to exactly what you are getting also. I could see how those or QO's would be ideal for such a retrofit since they both are only 3/4" wide per pole vs 1" per pole for most of what they might be replacing.
 
kwired said:
Square D did not stop making traditional end wall design, your partner either didn't pay attention to what he was getting or that store stopped selling them or was out of stock or something.

Can say the same for plug on neutral breakers.

Kind of no different then knowing if you need standard or decora, white, ivory, almond... you need to know what it out there and what you actually need.
Click to expand...

Several times I have needed pigtail AFCI's and had to order them because supply house only had stab ons. I don't need that crap.
 
jmellc said:
Several times I have needed pigtail AFCI's and had to order them because supply house only had stab ons. I don't need that crap.
Click to expand...
Apparently they mostly sell new panels and plug on neutral breakers. Do they not stock the pigtail AFCI's or are they just sold out of what they normally do stock when this happens? This is a little like complaining about having both the QO and the Homeline series. Live with it or start installing GE or Siemens - they only have one line of loadcenter products. Another comparison - a little like saying that a GMC truck is totally inferior to a Chevrolet truck with basically same specifications.
 
peter d said:
I really dislike the amount of inventory needed for Square D products now, particular plug on and pigtail AFCI's.
Click to expand...

kwired said:
Apparently they mostly sell new panels and plug on neutral breakers. Do they not stock the pigtail AFCI's or are they just sold out of what they normally do stock when this happens? This is a little like complaining about having both the QO and the Homeline series. Live with it or start installing GE or Siemens - they only have one line of loadcenter products. Another comparison - a little like saying that a GMC truck is totally inferior to a Chevrolet truck with basically same specifications.
Click to expand...

You apparently don't with this situation or you wouldn't have to ask. I go somewhere with a Homeline panel and see that I need AFCI breakers, pigtail type. I go to supply house and they often don't have them, have to order them. Drags out a simple job several days. Big Orange or Big Blue may be same situation.

As I and others have stated, there was no need for the stab on breaker. It is just a further complication.

I will not default to GE or Siemens. GE is nearly as junky as FPE and Zinnsco used to be. Only a thin margin better. I will start using BR. they are widely available and less guesswork, fewer irritations.
 
jmellc said:
Partner went to Big Orange for a panel for a night job. Got a Homeline. It had the built in cable slot connectors all through the top and bottom. Only 4 combo ko's to use for anything else. Maybe not so bad if using it new, but we were reconnecting cables brought down a plywood wall in a certain order, many too short to move much. This panel requires the 14's in one section, 12's in another and only a few slots at all for 10's.

Our local Square D dealer has a QO panel on display with same stuff. If standard panel cans get too hard to find, I will ditch Square D as much as I can. I've always liked the brand above all others but they are really irritating me with such junk as this. Before this, it was the Homeline direct stab AFCI breakers. Several times, I had to order standard ones with a pigtail. I've never gotten over my anger with AFCI's to start with and didn't need the new ones shoved down my throat.

I may start using BR as my standard first choice. Much better than GE, some better than Siemens, reasonably priced and usually available.
Click to expand...

BR???
 
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