Eaton Pow-R-Line

[DeeKay]

Anyone familiar with Eaton Pow-r-line PRL1a breaker panels? I'm trying to figure out my maximum branch circuit to run to a subpanel but there isn't anything listed on the panel itself. It seems like since these are commercial/industrial I might have to do some math to figure it out. I found the table below but it looks like it's just for series ratings.
https://www.eaton.com/content/dam/e...ries-rating-information-manual-1c96944h02.pdf

Ultimately the goal is to install a 50 amp 240v breaker in my main(the PRL1a)feeding a subpanel on a sea can about 115 feet away. The only loads would be a couple of LED lights inside the connex, one dusk to dawn outside, and a 20amp receptacle. In the sub I'm planning on one 15a for lights, one 20amp for a receptacle and a 30 or 40amp 240 for a welding receptacle.

 

[u2slow]

We have this Eaton series at work... but I'm not at work to check.

Is this a 200A panel? I can't imagine the max-allowable branch circuit would be any less than 100A.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

you would need to do the math

whats the voltage and amperage rating on your service?

 

[Norcal]

Your not going to be able to use twin breakers in them, & for years the largest was a 42 circuit but now that does not apply.

Take pictures and post them.

 

[DeeKay]

you would need to do the math
whats the voltage and amperage rating on your service?

480v 1000A bus-> 40A breaker -> 15kVA XFMR ->80A 120/240v feeding the panel.
I thought the 80amp on a 15kVA was odd, but I think the transformer is rated for 150% for 30 minutes so maybe that’s why? The existing panel is only loaded to 30amps 100% of the time while I’m running and there aren’t any variable loads. So I should be ok given that if anyone is doing any welding, this will be shut down and the panel will only be loaded to about 10 amps.

I'm not super well versed on the distribution side of things, just motor controls and instrumentation so I appreciate the help.

My other option is to use a spare bucket that I have in the MCC and just pull 480 to a mini power center at the connex, but that will cost me probably $900 for the breaker I need and probably another $2500 for the power center.

Your not going to be able to use twin breakers in them, & for years the largest was a 42 circuit but now that does not apply.

Take pictures and post them.

This is only an 18, when you say twin breakers do you mean the little doubles that fit in one breaker slot or are you talking about a two pole?

I’ll grab some pictures on Monday when I’m there.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

only a 15KVA transformer? that thing is tiny

 

[Norcal]

480v 1000A bus-> 40A breaker -> 15kVA XFMR ->80A 120/240v feeding the panel.
I thought the 80amp on a 15kVA was odd, but I think the transformer is rated for 150% for 30 minutes so maybe that’s why? The existing panel is only loaded to 30amps 100% of the time while I’m running and there aren’t any variable loads. So I should be ok given that if anyone is doing any welding, this will be shut down and the panel will only be loaded to about 10 amps.

I'm not super well versed on the distribution side of things, just motor controls and instrumentation so I appreciate the help.

My other option is to use a spare bucket that I have in the MCC and just pull 480 to a mini power center at the connex, but that will cost me probably $900 for the breaker I need and probably another $2500 for the power center.


This is only an 18, when you say twin breakers do you mean the little doubles that fit in one breaker slot or are you talking about a two pole?

I’ll grab some pictures on Monday when I’m there.

Twins = half size breakers, which are not used in those panels but it sounds like 480V, not 240V anyway so assume 480/277V GHB frame bolt-on breakers for the panelboard.

 

[DeeKay]

only a 15KVA transformer? that thing is tiny

I was surprised too, a 30kVA would have fit but this is on a relatively small on-site modular plant, so they try to save money anywhere they can when they build these things. I'm actually surprised they built the MCC with 4 whole spare buckets haha

Twins = half size breakers, which are not used in those panels but it sounds like 480V, not 240V anyway so assume 480/277V GHB frame bolt-on breakers for the panelboard.

It's 240/120 and takes BAB, QB and QP breakers, there's no use for 277 here.
FYI PRL1a is 240/120, PRL2a is 480/277

 

[wyliesdiesels]

oh i thought you said it was a 480v service

why did they use a 480v panel? Does eaton not have a 240v Delta version of this panel?

 

[u2slow]

Sounds like a 480V service, but the PRL1A is being used after the xfmr for 120/240.

15kVA @ 480V is 31.25A; thus 40A OCP is reasonable. (single phase) Double the current available on the secondary at half the voltage.

I'm most interested in the actual welder size. That's what's going to make or break that transformer... depending on what else is running at the same time.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Sounds like a 480V service, but the PRL1A is being used after the xfmr for 120/240.

15kVA @ 480V is 31.25A; thus 40A OCP is reasonable. (single phase) Double the current available on the secondary at half the voltage.

I'm most interested in the actual welder size. That's what's going to make or break that transformer... depending on what else is running at the same time.

ya know what, i completely misread what he said.

The 15Kva is a 480/240x120 step down transformer.....

I thought the 15Kva was the PoCos ******.

Thats what i get when i read these posts in split seconds

 

[DeeKay]

Yeah, that's correct, sorry for the confusion. 15kVA step down is part of my MCC and feeds the PRL1A. I don't even know what the POCOs service is; I'm fed from my customers switchgear on a 1500A breaker.

The biggest welder that circuit would ever see is a Miller Multimatic 220, I highly doubt I would ever need any more than 60% duty cycle so I used 630.11(A) to lower my OCP to 40A, could probably get away with 50% and use a 30 to be honest. Only other load in the sub would be a couple of LED lights and the dusk to dawn. Any larger welding projects and I'll have contractors drag out their pipeliner.

If anyone is doing any welding on site, I have to put a hot work permit in play at which point the plant will be shut down and the PRL1a will be loaded at most 10-15 amps depending on the time of year.

If I had the budget I'd rather just buy a breaker for that extra 480 bucket and put that mini power center in, much simpler.....much more expensiver.

 

[DeeKay]

Alright, finally made it back. Here’s some pictures of that PRL1a.


One other question, I’m planning on putting the sub panel here where I drew the red box in the third pic. Normally this would be dry unless I forget to close the doors in a rain storm. I know I could get away with NEMA 1 stuff, but I’m thinking it might not be a bad idea to just order NEMA 3R and outdoor boxes. What do you guys think?



Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[u2slow]

Containers sweat typically. More cost for a 3R. Most things to do with containers are temporary in nature... Never used 3R panels for temp power if there was any kind of roof/ceiling over them. Ultimately it's up to you.

Your PRL1A should have a decal like this with the max amperage per stab...

 

[DeeKay]

We're on a 15 year contract here so this one is semi permanent, might be worth the extra cost to go with 3R

I'll have to keep looking for that sticker, I haven't been able to find it anywhere. Maybe since this panel is part of a custom built MCC and not off the shelf stuff they didn't bother putting it on there.

 

[Norcal]

There is some data on the back of the dead front, did you look there?

 

[DeeKay]

There is some data on the back of the dead front, did you look there?

I did a while back and don't remember seeing anything. I'll take it off today and check again, maybe I missed something.