Subpanel Door Covers

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ccschoch

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Electrician
Does anybody have any information on design considerations behind why smaller subpanels frequently lack doors with their covers? I've got a customer freaking out that a 6 space interior subpanel has no door. It's clearly not a code requirement, but I'd like some kind of ammunition, because they seem convinced that it isn't "industry standard." These are unit priced, so it impacts future work, otherwise I'd just tell them to kick rocks.
 
There are a lot of panels that way, and not limited to the smaller ones...as I recall, the SquareD I-Line panels don't have a cover unless you specifically order on.
It is not a safety issue, just a design or preference issue.
 
What are you buying? Square D QO612L100DS is a 6 circuit surface mount load center with a door.
 
I went and got the QO, originally put in a Homeline which does not have a 6 space option with a door. The customer is an apartment complex owner, and their belief is the "industry standard" is their experiences of larger unit subpanels - which do generally have doors. So, basically they think I'm trying to screw them by not providing a panel with a door.

It's already passed inspection and clearly not a safety issue, but they want to know why it doesn't have a door. And just saying "because it doesn't need one" isn't satisfying them, and "my contract doesn't mention a door" definitely isn't satisfying them. Normally I wouldn't care, but these units are priced pretty well. And I wouldn't necessarily mind eating the cost of replacement, but I don't like the idea of them thinking they caught me trying to screw them.
 
For APT I know most prefer doors for those small panels so they can paint the door to make them blend in. Do they have QO or Homeline else where in the building. If everything else is Homeline , let them know this is there only option to keep the same type of breakers.
 
A lot of the now obsolete Pushmatic loadcenters did not have doors, one model had a "add a door" option.
 
LarryFine said:
Price it both ways and let them decide.
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That's what I would do. Tell them you went with the best-priced (aka cheapest) option for them. But, for a few dollars more you can satisfy their aesthetic requirements/needs for the job. Make it sound like you had their best financial interest in mind.
 
ccschoch said:
And just saying "because it doesn't need one" isn't satisfying them, and "my contract doesn't mention a door" definitely isn't satisfying them. Normally I wouldn't care, but these units are priced pretty well. And I wouldn't necessarily mind eating the cost of replacement, but I don't like the idea of them thinking they caught me trying to screw them.
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Sometimes the only language that gets through is something completely absurd before they can really hear your explanation.

I would ask if they want me to find switch cover plates with tiny doors on them. Maybe offer to swap all the receptacle covers to weatherproof flip civers so they have doors.

Then after the sting of getting cut to the bone with ludicrous sarcasm, they're ready for a real answer - it's simply made that way, and you aren't the manufacturer.

I priced a simple yet time consuming job once, and the price was higher than the customer was expecting. She immediately equated price with difficulty and asked "Why is it so expensive? It doesn't seem all that complicated."

I replied exactly in this manner - It's not a matter of whether or not it's complicated. It's a matter of how much time it takes. Just as if you were to dump a million marbles on the floor and then take the time to pick them all up. There's nothing complicated about it, but it's gonna take a while.

That absurd example totally deflated her, then she was ready to have a rational discussion about the amount of time her job would take.
 
jim dungar said:
What are you buying? Square D QO612L100DS is a 6 circuit surface mount load center with a door.
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I have installed the typical ones without a door and then ordered one with a door and replaced the cover when it arrived.

They kind of sort of don't really sell that cover as a separate item.

Don't know if there is a door option for the Homeline version
 
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