Eaton Load Center - CSR or BR?

[Metallitubby]

I'm in the middle of building my house and shop, and I'm at the point where I'm shopping for generator interlock kits. The load center/box is an Eaton, and there are two interlock kits listed: CSR or BR

What is the difference? Google leads me back to Eaton's page, and I cannot find an explanation of what CSR or BR are. I'm sure it's something stupid and blatantly obvious.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[kkenney]

Breaker type

 

[Metallitubby]

Breaker type

Are they just Eaton's breaker naming system or are those industry terms?

 

[kkenney]

Eaton

 

[Metallitubby]

Once my electrician purchases and installs the breakers, then I can purchase the interlock kit.

 

[kkenney]

CSR and BR will be part of the part # on breakers. Looks like CSR maybe main breaker. BR branch breakers

 

[Norcal]

There's Eaton CH which was formerly Cutler-Hammer CH, and is in my opinion the last decent residential, light commercial load center & is copper bussed, then there is Eaton BR which was formerly Bryant, Westinghouse, Cutler-Hammer BR, & has aluminum buss, which I call "Zinsco II" which is the worst **** panel on the market, the BR panels even have Zinsco heritage, the panel interior is a Challenger design, 150-200A Zinsco main breakers were used on main breaker models until the current design mains were introduced. I would use any other make of panel before using a Eaton BR, somebody has to be the worst panel,and the BR line is it, it's meant to be cheap, just like Zinsco /Sylvania /Challenger.


My choice are Eaton CH, Siemens, and Square D QO. SQ D Homeline, is aluminum bussed, & not fond of GE, just dislike GE less then BR, Siemens does make panels with either copper or AL buss.

 

[Metallitubby]

Thank you for the responses. Where on the panel would the model be? I took pictures of every single number that "looks like" a part number/model, and none of those numbers are coming back.

If I posted a picture of it, would it be easy to identify?

 

[Metallitubby]

Nevermind, I found it.

 

[Bert_]

BR is Eaton's cheap low quality residential panel. It's called BR because it's the same breakers that were made by Bryant before Eaton bought them.

CSR is the type of main in their 150 and 200A panels I think.

 

[Metallitubby]

BR is Eaton's cheap low quality residential panel. It's called BR because it's the same breakers that were made by Bryant before Eaton bought them.

CSR is the type of main in their 150 and 200A panels I think.

Thank you for the explanation. Much appreciated!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

post a picture of the nameplate on the panel

 

[yeldogt]

I'm in the middle of building my house and shop, and I'm at the point where I'm shopping for generator interlock kits. The load center/box is an Eaton, and there are two interlock kits listed: CSR or BR

What is the difference? Google leads me back to Eaton's page, and I cannot find an explanation of what CSR or BR are. I'm sure it's something stupid and blatantly obvious.

Any help is appreciated!

Why not just plan on a transfer switch ?

When doing new .... it's easy.

 

[Metallitubby]

Why not just plan on a transfer switch ?

Simplicity. I have access to all of Reliance's transfer switch options at cost, and the interlock still makes more sense (to me at least).

 

[Metallitubby]

post a picture of the nameplate on the panel

Alright, so I am at the point where I need to order an interlock kit and Eaton offers two different versions. For the life of me, I cannot decipher the difference between the two kits listed. Obviously I have an Eaton BR style panel. Any help deciphering which interlock kit is applicable is appropriate. Eaton's customer/technical support is terrible by-the-way.

https://www.eaton.com/content/dam/e...e-br-mechanical-interlock-kits-pa003001en.pdf

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Pics didnt load.

 

[Metallitubby]

Pics didnt load.

How about now?

 

[mike93lx]

Simplicity. I have access to all of Reliance's transfer switch options at cost, and the interlock still makes more sense (to me at least).

The ship has sailed, but did you consider one of their XRR panels? I have used them in my last two houses and have liked the power meters and integrating switching

 

[wyliesdiesels]

How about now?

Ok pics load now

but you shouldve posted these in your OP in the beginning so we didnt have to make guesses here.

But what you want to do is not gonna work.

you have no main breaker in this panel and it is a subpanel. Without a main breaker, an interlock is not gonna work here.

Post pics of your main service panel.

 

[Metallitubby]

The electrician has me jumping all different ways here because we are communicating through the GC, which is like two cups on a string.

1. There is no main panel installed yet.

2. I assume that once the main panel is installed, then an interlock would be installed on it to isolate the shop and line, correct?

3. Keep in mind that getting photos takes a week, since I am only able to visit the site on the weekends.

 

[mike93lx]

The electrician has me jumping all different ways here because we are communicating through the GC, which is like two cups on a string.

1. There is no main panel installed yet.

2. I assume that once the main panel is installed, then an interlock would be installed on it to isolate the shop and line, correct?

3. Keep in mind that getting photos takes a week, since I am only able to visit the site on the weekends.

Where do you want to run the generator and what do you where to be able to power?

The interlock is not for isolating the shop. It goes in the panel that you want to back feed with a generator. Then anything downstream (within the capabilities of the generator) can be lit up

 

[Metallitubby]

Where do you want to run the generator and what do you where to be able to power?

The interlock is not for isolating the shop. It goes in the panel that you want to back feed with a generator. Then anything downstream (within the capabilities of the generator) can be lit up

Obviously the house is the priority for power. I haven't been told where the main is going to be located yet, which is why I am so lost.

If the electrician installs a main breaker on the house panel, then I can power JUST the house, which is what I would like to do optimally.

 

[mike93lx]

Is the house panel not installed yet? If the panel you provided a Pic of is in the house, you are SOL.

If it is yet to be installed, make sure you get a main breaker panel, even if it is actually a subpanel. Then you can use an interlock. If the shop feeds from that, then the shop would be powered as well

 

[Metallitubby]

Is the house panel not installed yet? If the panel you provided a Pic of is in the house, you are SOL.

The picture I posted is the house panel. There is no panel installed in the shop nor is there a meter installed yet.

Is it possible that the electrician is going to have a main breaker in the shop feeding the house as a sub-panel?

 

[mike93lx]

The picture I posted is the house panel. There is no panel installed in the shop nor is there a meter installed yet.

Is it possible that the electrician is going to have a main breaker in the shop feeding the house as a sub-panel?

Where is the meter going to be? If it is on the shop, yes, if on the house, no.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The picture I posted is the house panel. There is no panel installed in the shop nor is there a meter installed yet.

Is it possible that the electrician is going to have a main breaker in the shop feeding the house as a sub-panel?

ummm you really need to get a better grasp of how your electrical system is gonna be setup. Since you want a generator interlock, you shouldve ironed all these details out with the electrician before everything was decided on.

The panel you pictured is a subpanel WITHOUT a main so interlock cant go there. And since its a subpanel, it will need to be fed from a main service panel.

i have no clue what the electrician will have and anyone here is just guessing.

Seriously go there, look at the plans and discuss it with them before its too late.

Are you just getting a meter pan? Where is the service from the PoCo coming in at?

theres so many questions that can be asked here that you need to go on the jobsite and speak with the EC

 

[NUTTSGT]

The picture I posted is the house panel. There is no panel installed in the shop nor is there a meter installed yet.

Is it possible that the electrician is going to have a main breaker in the shop feeding the house as a sub-panel?

See the big gray wire coming in to the box at the top ? That's the line feeding that panel. Follow it and see where it goes.

I'd guess your electrician is going to put in a meter base with breakers/disconnects. If you are building a shop at the same time, he's planning on feeding it all out of one location. House and shop will both be sub panels fed from there. . . . . Just my guess.

 

[mike93lx]

It would be some work, but easier to swap that panel for one with a main breaker now than when the drywall is up. Plus you still have a chance to get the generator inlet installed

 

[Metallitubby]

ummm you really need to get a better grasp of how your electrical system is gonna be setup

theres so many questions that can be asked here that you need to go on the jobsite and speak with the EC

Look, I appreciate the help, but the reason I asked is because I am not sure. Responding as if I should've already known this is a bit far-fetched. If everyone was an NEC certified electrician, there would be no need for this forum.

1. There is no meter installed yet.
2. It's obvious that without a main breaker installed, an interlock is useless in the house panel.
3. Yes, this has been communicated countless times through the GC (I was advised not to contact the EC directly)
4. Like NUTTSGT was suggesting; How it is laid out currently indicates that there will be a main panel, most likely near the meter.

Currently, as it stands, I have an open question via email to the GC/EC regarding the specific layout to best clarify the installation of the 50A generator inlet box (which is already wired to the house panel btw).

Again, I appreciate the help.

 

[Dave Nelson]

I'm basically in the same situation as you (see my generator interlock location post). we are going to add a main breaker to the house/sub panel which will allow the installation of the interlock on the panel cover. The main on my panel will go on the bottom lugs of panel. Waiting to hear from contractor on size of main breaker.

 

[Metallitubby]

I'm basically in the same situation as you

Dave, what is crazy is that I have asked for this since Day 1 of planning. It's not like some nutty homeowner change-order halfway through the process.

 

[Dave Nelson]

In my situation I'm 400 miles from new build, so being there to over see is not always a option. Going down there next week for a few days to meet with builder and electrician.

 

[Metallitubby]

In my situation I'm 400 miles from new build, so being there to over see is not always a option. Going down there next week for a few days to meet with builder and electrician.

You and I are almost in the exact same situation. I am only 60 miles away, but 60 miles in Atlanta might as well be 400.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Look, I appreciate the help, but the reason I asked is because I am not sure. Responding as if I should've already known this is a bit far-fetched. If everyone was an NEC certified electrician, there would be no need for this forum.

1. There is no meter installed yet.
2. It's obvious that without a main breaker installed, an interlock is useless in the house panel.
3. Yes, this has been communicated countless times through the GC (I was advised not to contact the EC directly)
4. Like NUTTSGT was suggesting; How it is laid out currently indicates that there will be a main panel, most likely near the meter.

Currently, as it stands, I have an open question via email to the GC/EC regarding the specific layout to best clarify the installation of the 50A generator inlet box (which is already wired to the house panel btw).

Again, I appreciate the help.

Why did the electrician install it there? That wont work. Is he even paying attention?

 

[Metallitubby]

Is he even paying attention?

Good question.

I am still awaiting his response via email. The only option for him to do so would be to install a main breaker in the house panel.

 

[mike93lx]

Why did the electrician install it there? That wont work. Is he even paying attention?

Sounds like the wiring goes to that panel, not that the inlet box is there

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Sounds like the wiring goes to that panel, not that the inlet box is there

Yes i meant the wiring.

The generator breaker and interlock wont work on this subpanel since there is no
main breaker.

 

[Metallitubby]

Sounds like the wiring goes to that panel, not that the inlet box is there

This.

I work for a generator manufacturer. I write quite a bit of legalese for our products, so I am well aware of safety precautions, etc.

 

[Metallitubby]

Update (as if the EC is reading this)

The EC is installing a main breaker on the house panel.

 

[mike93lx]

Update (as if the EC is reading this)

The EC is installing a main breaker on the house panel.

As a backfeed (in line with the other breakers) or at the top of the buss?

If I line, I don't think an interlock will work with that