How to fill blank spaces in a panel door

[Junkman]

A friend gave me a 100 amp panel to use as a sub panel in my cellar, and it was full of breakers... about 16 or 20 of them. I am presently using about 6 or 7 slots, and was wondering if it is acceptable to just leave the panel filled with the rest of the breakers, even though they aren't being used. I tried the plastic caps that are sold for this purpose, however, they just fall off. My only other choice is to purchase another cover, but I don't know even if I could find another cover, since the panel is about 15 years old. It was made by Square D and uses QO breakers.

 

[MEngineer]

Square d Qo is a very popular so I suspect that you can still get a cover for it. Or you could put the covers in place and tape over the interior side with electrical tape.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I am presently using about 6 or 7 slots, and was wondering if it is acceptable to just leave the panel filled with the rest of the breakers, even though they aren't being used.

There isn't a Code Violation if you do that, but be sure to label the unused breakers as "Spares" on the circuit directory card.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

A friend gave me a 100 amp panel to use as a sub panel in my cellar, and it was full of breakers... about 16 or 20 of them. I am presently using about 6 or 7 slots, and was wondering if it is acceptable to just leave the panel filled with the rest of the breakers, even though they aren't being used. I tried the plastic caps that are sold for this purpose, however, they just fall off. My only other choice is to purchase another cover, but I don't know even if I could find another cover, since the panel is about 15 years old. It was made by Square D and uses QO breakers.

Which brand and model of fillers did u use?

Theres different style for different brands.

U may have used fillers that were made for a different brand of panel.

 

[rburke65]

Just mark them as spares. I don't think that your picture will be seen in the post office on any wanted posters.

 

[Norcal]

Reusing the breakers & labeling as spares is going to be cheaper then buying filler plates, fillers for QO panels should be easy to find at the big box stores if the OP decides to that route, just don't buy fillers for SQ D Homeline.

 

[Junkman]

Which brand amd model of fillers did u use?

Theres different style for different brands.

U may have used fillers that were made for a different brand of panel.

The fillers were sold in a Square D package, so all that I can assume is that they were Square D brand.

 

[bczygan]

The fillers were sold in a Square D package, so all that I can assume is that they were Square D brand.

For Square D QO panels:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D-QO-Filler-Plates-3-Pack-QOFPCP/202353304

For Square D Homeline panels:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D-Homeline-Filler-Plates-3-Pack-HOMFPCP/202353318


Bill

 

[prostreetamx]

Commercial panels normally just fill all the extra holes with spare breakers. Very common practice.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The fillers were sold in a Square D package, so all that I can assume is that they were Square D brand.

The filler plates must be the homeline version and thats why they didnt work.

Return them and just leave the breakers as spares...

 

[gungatim]

Duct tape.

 

[bczygan]

You have a cover on your panel??????????

 

[alfredeneuman]

Duct tape.

2011 NEC 110.12 (A)

(A) Unused Openings. Unused openings, other than those
intended for the operation of equipment, those intended for
mounting purposes, or those permitted as part of the design
for listed equipment, shall be closed to afford protection substantially
equivalent to the wall of the equipment

 

[6768rogues]

I would put the breakers in and label them as spare. When I worked for the county government, their boiler plate construction specs required a certain number of spare breakers to be left in panels.

 

[Dadillac]

I bought my house three years ago. My garage had a Square D sub panel that had every knockout missing and the panel door gone. Changing the sub panel was high on the agenda list. Came to find out the box is obsolete. Searched high and low and finally found a new old stock box on eBay. Then after a few more months I found a new old stock panel cover on eBay. Hardest part was figuring out the part numbers. How about posting a picture. If by chance you happen to have the same box that I have I can help with a part number

Don

 

[nsula_country]

Duct tape.

Duct tape is metallic!

CT

 

[gungatim]

Duct tape is metallic!

CT

so are the panel cover and the knockout pieces...

I am assuming you mean it is against code but I have seen many boxes with the knockouts duct taped back in place from the inside and never failed inspection...

and I'm in the "don't even bother putting the cover back on my box" camp...but that's just me.