Main and sub pane-brands

[bluedog225]

Good morning. I picked up three 200 amp panels from Restore on two separate visits.

One is a brand new Siemens panel with a main breaker and a few smaller breakers. The other two look to be about 10-year-old GE panels. Full of breakers. They look like they are in very good shape.

I’ll need a main panel for my conex to be fed by my solar system inverter. And a sub panel at the cabin.

My question is whether I care which brand I use? I’m guessing I should use the two GE panels to be done.

For some reason I thought the Siemens panel was higher quality. I can always sell the GE panels and get another Siemens.

I’d appreciate any thoughts.

 

[Norcal]

There is Siemens, Eaton CH, SQ D QO, SQ D Homeline, GE, other then Eaton BR, which I would not put in a building I was going to have burned down in a practice burn the next day, I really don't care for GE, but would consider using them, unlike Eaton BR, but Siemens is not bad choice, but that is the choices out there, Siemens, good, but the interlock on the GE would be tempting.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

how about some pictures?

 

[bluedog225]

You bet. I figured looked a lot like another.

 

[bluedog225]

how about some pictures?

Ok. No problem.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

smh the first one is missing the interlock

the siemens is missing the buss bars to tie the output of the breaker to the busses

im not a fan of GE... their half width breakers are annoying

 

[P0234]

then Eaton BR, which I would not put in a building I was going to have burned down in a practice burn the next day,

What's wrong with Eaton BR? Asking for a friend....lol.

 

[kinglew]

There is Siemens, Eaton CH, SQ D QO, SQ D Homeline, GE, other then Eaton BR, which I would not put in a building I was going to have burned down in a practice burn the next day, I really don't care for GE, but would consider using them, unlike Eaton BR, but Siemens is not bad choice, but that is the choices out there, Siemens, good, but the interlock on the GE would be tempting.

Br panels are very good no issues ge is junk

 

[Norcal]

Br panels are very good no issues ge is junk

Eaton BR is Zinsco II, it's marketed to the same ones that used Zinsco/Sylvania/Challenger.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

the siemens is missing the buss bars to tie the output of the breaker to the busses

I don't know anything about this but it seems that the two tabs that are sticking out on the right hand side of the pictured 200 amp breaker, somehow fit into the top of the buss bars. Again, i could be completely wrong.

 

[dcg9381]

My question is whether I care which brand I use? I’m guessing I should use the two GE panels to be done.

I just try to keep all my panels on the same brand and breaker line.
I dunno what you paid for those, but that interlock looks like a brand I've bought that isn't inexpensive. Course if you don't need an interlock, having that feature doesn't give you much.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Br panels are very good no issues ge is junk

GE is definitely a step up from BR lol

cant count the times ive had to replace burned up BR breakers and busses

BR used to be bryant westinghouse zinsco etc

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I don't know anything about this but it seems that the two tabs that are sticking out on the right hand side of the pictured 200 amp breaker, somehow fit into the top of the buss bars. Again, i could be completely wrong.

those tabs look like bolt on lugs that would be bolted to a buss bar NOT something that would go into those lugs with a set screw.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

those tabs look like bolt on lugs that would be bolted to a buss bar NOT something that would go into those lugs with a set screw.

Yes, you are right.

https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:35591699-d847-4016-85d4-3485c4f0fb85/sie-is-eqbreaker-150-225.pdf

 

[wyliesdiesels]

its probably a convertible ML panel. would need to change out the lugs to bolt-on style... but need to look up the panel model number to be sure its listed for that. hell that might not even be a 200a rated panel.... looks small for a 200a panel.

 

[bluedog225]

No big loss. $20-25 each. Fwiw, that 200 amp breaker fits under the upper set screws. It’s just sitting in the bottom of the box as shown. Can use the boxes elsewhere if they are no go for my system. I will get more detail on the box next time I’m up at the place.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

if the breaker tabs fit under the lower bolts that connect to the buss bars then youre good to go