Junkman
Well-known member
Is it proper to mount a load center with the main breaker at the bottom of the panel? thanks Junk
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Mounting the load center
- Thread starter Junkman
- Start date
If thats what makes sense based on location of feeder and the panel is made for itIs it proper to mount a load center with the main breaker at the bottom of the panel? thanks Junk
sparky 1971
Well-known member
Yes, as long as you have a modern panel and the handle moves side to side. If in the off chance you're trying to use some old POS from a garage sale and the handle moves up and down, the main has to be on top because up hast to be on.
Dagny
Well-known member
I don't do it because well I'm mental.
larry4406
Well-known member
At the day job, it varies by lot. In particular, the topography determines how the load center gets mounted.
The electricians use load centers which can be mounted either way.
The local power companies here specify that the center of the meter socket is 4-6' above finished grade. The SER then exits out the bottom of the meter can.
When the side of the house where the service goes is a fully buried basement, the meter can is mounted on the first floor framing while the load center is in the basement below. With this scenario, the main breaker is positioned on top with the SER also coming in the top from the meter can above.
Some of our homes are walkout conditions. When this happens, the meter can is mounted on the foundation, SER comes out of the bottom of the meter can, goes thru the foundation (sleeved), turns up and enters the bottom of the load center which is positioned with the main breaker at the bottom.
We always put the load center in our basements, with rare occasions they are placed in the garage.
The electricians use load centers which can be mounted either way.
The local power companies here specify that the center of the meter socket is 4-6' above finished grade. The SER then exits out the bottom of the meter can.
When the side of the house where the service goes is a fully buried basement, the meter can is mounted on the first floor framing while the load center is in the basement below. With this scenario, the main breaker is positioned on top with the SER also coming in the top from the meter can above.
Some of our homes are walkout conditions. When this happens, the meter can is mounted on the foundation, SER comes out of the bottom of the meter can, goes thru the foundation (sleeved), turns up and enters the bottom of the load center which is positioned with the main breaker at the bottom.
We always put the load center in our basements, with rare occasions they are placed in the garage.
Eliminating the service entrance conductors running vertically through the entire height of the enclosure provides for much more room in the panel gutter. With that in mind, it is situation specific.At the day job, it varies by lot. In particular, the topography determines how the load center gets mounted.
The electricians use load centers which can be mounted either way.
The local power companies here specify that the center of the meter socket is 4-6' above finished grade. The SER then exits out the bottom of the meter can.
When the side of the house where the service goes is a fully buried basement, the meter can is mounted on the first floor framing while the load center is in the basement below. With this scenario, the main breaker is positioned on top with the SER also coming in the top from the meter can above.
Some of our homes are walkout conditions. When this happens, the meter can is mounted on the foundation, SER comes out of the bottom of the meter can, goes thru the foundation (sleeved), turns up and enters the bottom of the load center which is positioned with the main breaker at the bottom.
We always put the load center in our basements, with rare occasions they are placed in the garage.
larry4406
Well-known member
Yes this is the reason behind it. Yours is a much more succinct explanation.Eliminating the service entrance conductors running vertically through the entire height of the enclosure provides for much more room in the panel gutter. With that in mind, it is situation specific.