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Electrical panel.’what brand?

Baydog

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2017
Messages
23
My guys are only allowed to use Square D QO or Cutler Hammer CH for new panels. We have recently had to make some allowances though due to supply shortages.
In 30 years with 1000's of installs, both of those have performed well, without any breakers burning on the buss. On the other hand we encounter a lot of the cheaper BR, Homeline, siemens, ITE and others that get loose where they clip to the buss and eventually burn. I think the design of the clips and springs that hold the breaker to the buss are just more robust on QO and CH.
The QO's can sometimes be a pain to get the opposite end from the buss to snap in , but that means there rarely a problem with them popping back off when you are working in the panel. CH hold well too, unless the little plastic tab gets broken. Some of the others seem to rely more on gravity then a serious mechanical connection. That's why we use bolt on breakers and panels in non residential applications.
Customers like the QO for the red trip window. Its also good for remote troubleshooting when the dispatcher gets a call.
The CH have a better setup for neutral and ground bars, making them easier to wire.
 
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Bert_

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 24, 2016
Messages
9,693
Location
NW Iowa
11 years doing residential rewire I had never replaced a Sq D panel. FPE (Federal Pacific Electric) Panels were frequently an issue, as were Zinsco.
I've seen more than one QO with a hot or burned bus.

I install lots of GE and the only complaint I have is their mains. Fine for residential, don't hold up under continuous load though. Then again none of the stab in load centers hold up real well with heavy continuous loading.

ALL the manufacturers have cheapened up their interiors in the last 30 years
 
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