Electrical Gurus - Will this breaker box work for my shop?

[poppinjohnnies]

I scored a free breaker box yesterday, along with a bunch of single pole breakers: Square D NQOD442l225. It is a 3 phase box with way more space than I would need in my future 32 X 40 shop, but it was the right price. There is a main breaker on a box below the meter on the power pole that will supply juice to my building, but no main breaker in this box. I don't have 3 phase at my place, either. Would this thing work for me?

 

[raddksn]

work? Yes it'll work. up to code no probably not.

 

[poppinjohnnies]

I'm out in the sticks with no building codes, but I don't want an unsafe situation.

 

[Norcal]

If it was single phase it would be a great panel, but the only way to use that panel is to jury rig it so I would advise buying a proper single phase panel. 1/3 of the 3 phase panel would be unusable w/ a single phase supply.

 

[sberry]

Agree, this is not for you. The cost of electric equipment is rather reasonable in the grand scheme of things. The right panel could be well less than 100$.

 

[CADPoint]

The panel might be obsolete, the breakers are obsolete!

Go to this page!

http://www.digestplus-us.schneider-electric.com/

type NQOD in search, (top right)

I could not link the exact page. That I read this on, no wonder it was free...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I scored a free breaker box yesterday, along with a bunch of single pole breakers: Square D NQOD442l225. It is a 3 phase box with way more space than I would need in my future 32 X 40 shop, but it was the right price. There is a main breaker on a box below the meter on the power pole that will supply juice to my building, but no main breaker in this box. I don't have 3 phase at my place, either. Would this thing work for me?

I wouldnt waste my time with it.

Get a single phase panel.

The panel might be obsolete, the breakers are obsolete!

Go to this page!

http://www.digestplus-us.schneider-electric.com/

type NQOD in search, (top right)

I could not link the exact page. That I read this on, no wonder it was free...

They are obsolete. However, there is replacement breakers available..And the panel is obsolete as well.

Explains why it was free

http://download.schneider-electric.com/files?p_Doc_Ref=SD_0100CT1502_SEC-11

 

[DSLTRK]

Three phase bkrs are at least 3x as expensive. You can pick up a 100 amp load center with breakers for under 70 dollars.

Id sell the breakers on ebay and scrap the panel.

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

 

[Norcal]

Three phase bkrs are at least 3x as expensive. You can pick up a 100 amp load center with breakers for under 70 dollars.

Id sell the breakers on ebay and scrap the panel.

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

The OP does not or will not have 3 phase. Which is the #1 reason not to use the panelboard.

 

[poppinjohnnies]

Ok. Thanks for the advice folks. I'll get rid of this panel and get a single phase one.

 

[ishiboo]

The panel might be obsolete, the breakers are obsolete!

Go to this page!

http://www.digestplus-us.schneider-electric.com/

type NQOD in search, (top right)

I could not link the exact page. That I read this on, no wonder it was free...

The breakers are not obsolete. Far from it. NQOD accepts QO breakers which is what he would use, which you can get at any home improvement store, electrical supply, etc. They've been made since the 50s and were just updated to support plug-on neutral, and will likely continue to be made for a long time.

That said, a 3-phase panel on single-phase service makes no sense unless you were in a remote area with no access to the proper panel It'll be perfectly safe but as mentioned 1/3 of the spaces will be empty.