Is this load center box safe? How old do you think it is?

[Magnet Man]

I received this 100Amp breaker box full of cutler hammer breakers for free from someone upgrading to 200Amp service. The only inspection sticker on it is from 1980. Other than being a cutler hammer, I don't know what this thing is or if it's really all that safe to use in my garage as a subpanel.

Does anyone know anything about it or if it's still safe? Would I be better off replacing it with a new breaker box?

Can I move the main breaker to the bottom slot in the box so I can have the service enter from the bottom?

(BTW, I know the ground bar is missing and should be isolated from the neutral, I just haven't had a chance to mount it to the box yet).

Thanks!

 

[ishiboo]

Looks fine, other than what you said.

Appears to be a CH box (I know little about Cutler Hammer, but I think the CH breakers are the vomit pink and the BR have black handles? Either way I have a CH and they're the vomit pink) so it's a decent quality box, well within its lifespan. It also appears to be mostly clean.

 

[Highbeam]

Brand new Siemens 100 amp panels WITH 6 breakers only cost 50$ at the home depot. They sure look nice and don't have all the old knock-outs broken out that you have to deal with.

 

[pattenp]

I assume you are using this panel as a subpanel. All of the knock-outs not being used need to be filled with knock out plugs, even that big one in the back. I don't know of any reason that you can't use the main breaker at the bottom of the panel.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

As a subpanel you will need to add a ground bar. It now has a insulated neutral bar, but as a sub, you will need to purchase a ground bar and screw into the panel, probably over on the RH side. Home Depot has CH and the accessories.

Also make sure the existing neutral bar is not bonded to the panel box, there could be a screw thru the bar that passes all the way thru the back of the box, or a lug or other connection, cannot tell for sure from the pic.

Screw the new bar directly to the box and use it for your grounds.

Packages of plugs for the unused holes are cheap.

Make sure none of the stabs are burned (pull all the breakers and check) and I would not put back breakers you do not use, spend the money and buy plastic fillers to plug the holes in the dead front.

Unique type of main breaker, just make sure it has a screw or clip retaining it in place so it just cannot be pulled out, thats a code issue.

Edit: that oval shaped plate and screw in front of your thumb in the second pic is the retainer, OK, no issues there, just swing the oval plate under the breaker retainer bar and tighten the screw. Shouldn't be any reason why you cannot install it on the bottom stabs rather than the top stabs.

Its a nice looking panel, condition wise, and large enough for about anything, and accessories and breakers are readily available for it, and if building a garage/shop on the cheap, I would not hesitate to use it.

Charles

 

[Norcal]

That panel is still the best built loadcenter on the market today, the only problem is that the panel does not have the generous gutter space of of panels built in the last 30 years. The main breaker is also a old style model.

 

[cderalow]

here, i was expecting a picture of an installed panel with a cluster of wires all over the place (like my house has).

not, an empty box waiting to be installed.

 

[mrb]

i would really use a new panel. Used breakers is generally a bad idea, you dont know what's been done to them during their life (how many overload trips, how many magnetic trips due to short circuit, exposure to corrosive fumes, etc)

 

[cowboyjosh]

My parents house build in 1980 has this old style CH panel. They recently remodeled and put on addition; I made mention that I would replace the main CH panel with a new style, just because. So they tell their electrician to "replace the panel" the EC tells them "why replace just for the sake of replacing it? I mean we only installed it a few years ago". The same company who wired their house did the work on the remodels throughout the years and must have forgotten 30 years is not brand new. Anyways they still came up with a few new breakers for the antiquated panel like a 125 AMP for a sub panel for the addition.

 

[Norcal]

That panel is of better quality then anything avail today, including the so-called "Caddilac" Square D, new breakers & it will be fine.

 

[ishiboo]

That panel is of better quality then anything avail today, including the so-called "Caddilac" Square D, new breakers & it will be fine.

The breakers are the majority of the cost of the panel, replacing it with a new 20-space would not be expensive if you're going all new breakers anyway.

What's so much better than a QO about it, or a CH of today?

 

[cowboyjosh]

The breakers are the majority of the cost of the panel, replacing it with a new 20-space would not be expensive if you're going all new breakers anyway.

What's so much better than a QO about it, or a CH of today?

CH and QO of days gone by were all made in the USA, now CH is made I think in the Dominican Repubic and QO in Mexico. In homes I build and wire, I still spec QO, and if the homeowner is looking to cut cost we'll do Homeline, never will I consider GE, Siemens, or Eaton BR; nothing wrong I just don't like those brands.

 

[Gregishome]

I agree with all positive comments here, that old CH is a great load center. Only two distributions centers that I really favor and that is Square D and CH. .. New doesnt always mean better nowadays..