200 amp. ? best value. replacement pannell

[truckman5000]

Hi,
I have a 200 service thats all $%^#ed in. Very bad install, from "new" 15- 20 years ago.
Im just not up to date on the quallity for the money pannells that are out there.

I like the ch cutler hammer. value pack.. is at lowes for 110$..supply house 200$..
Seems cheep enough..kind of too cheep?

What brand is a good replacment, with cost in mind?

One of those things were the existing is "ok" with copper busses..if i re-do the existing for 100$. I dont want to get a **** plastic pannell to replace it for more money.

I have stuff going on like all outlets on 1, 15 amp breaker. and it seems every light switch on a 20 amp lol..realy..so i have some wire to figure out.
Its done this way for extra electric heat ect. that was installed prior to me owning.
thanks mike

 

[Charles (in GA)]

What kind of panel do you have now? Is there something wrong with it? How many spaces does it have?

It sounds like you need to add more circuits, not change the panel.

Charles

 

[John in OH]

Have you checked to see if the breakers in your existing panel could be reused in a new panel? If so, you could possibly save a few $$ by reusing some of the existing breakers in a new panel, but you need to make sure they will properly fit whatever new panel you buy.

 

[Rosco]

I am personally a cutler hammer fan. Had the others, nothing wrong with them just my choice after taking advice from the electrician.

 

[Norcal]

I am personally a cutler hammer fan. Had the others, nothing wrong with them just my choice after taking advice from the electrician.

As long as your not talking about the BR "engineered value" line I agree.

 

[cowboyjosh]

I like Square D QO, but if your on a budget, the Homeline product is also acceptable. I agree with Norcal, stay away from the Eaton / CH "BR" series.

Personally I won't skimp on electrical components, I always go with the best I can buy, within reason of course. There are plenty of other areas to cut cost, the infrastructure of a house or building isn't one of them.

 

[ishiboo]

I like Square D QO, but if your on a budget, the Homeline product is also acceptable. I agree with Norcal, stay away from the Eaton / CH "BR" series.

Personally I won't skimp on electrical components, I always go with the best I can buy, within reason of course. There are plenty of other areas to cut cost, the infrastructure of a house or building isn't one of them.

Agreed.

Homeline for home is fine, however I've had several breakers fail "off" and have to be replaced. They have a lifetime warranty so if it's your home it's not a big deal, in my case it's rental properties so it takes time to get out and replace them. Perhaps a bad batch, I haven't had any fail recently.