Preferred Electrical Panel?

[KPSquared]

Planning out my electrical layout and just wondering if there is an opinion on the panel I should be buying. Thinking a 200 amp, 40/80. Anyone have a brand or style they like better?

I live on an acreage and the service comes off the pole at the main breaker, to a splitter on the outside wall of my garage and then on to the house. So, my garage panel will basically be like a new service. I don't remember what kind of buried line I ran from the main pole, but the electrician I talked to said it was heavy enough for anything I could throw at it.

Let me know what you think. I'm just about done laying out the main floor and I have around 25 duplex plugs. . .add lights, fans, welder, compressor, and the 2nd floor and you see why I want a big panel.

Here's links to what the Depot has:

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/x-p...tre-40-80-circuits-200a-main-breaker-1/941181

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/40-80-circuits-nu-pack-service-entrance-loadcentre/941183

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/200...-qo-qwikpak-panel-package-with-breaker/901422

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/200...-qo-qwikpak-panel-package-with-breaker/901423

Any of these stand out, and why or what do you recommend?

 

[Alchymist]

Either of the Square D's, third one down would be my choice.

 

[gatchel]

Either of the Square D's, third one down would be my choice.

Wow 40 spaces, 80 circuits. That thing is massive. You'll never run out of space...

I'd have to agree

 

[KPSquared]

I figure I'd rather not wish I had more. . . There is still the possibility of a suite upstairs so I want to have the room for sure. The extra $100 is well worth not having to worry about space and overloaded circuits.

I'll get my main floor layout scanned and post it up here in a bit.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

I bought the second Siemens panel for my house (I think), then ran a 100 amp Siemens sub to the garage. Been quite happy with both.

If that is the same one I bought at HD for my place, it comes with a whole home surge protect as part of the package. So that's a bonus.

 

[Greatbear]

I prefer Square D QO. I have a 200A main and a pair of 100A subs in the house, plus a 200A main in the garage. Other minor switchgear is also Square D.

 

[KPSquared]

Well, got a deal I couldn't refuse on a Siemens 200 amp. Was leaning towards the square d but this just sorta came up.

Thanks for the ideas and thoughts!

 

[Mmfh]

That's a nice panel you've got there! I see that roll of 30' 12/2 you have next to the panel, with that panel I've got the feeling you are going to need a lot more wire than that!!! LOL

Mm

 

[KPSquared]

That's 30 meters (90 ish feet). . . I had it from another project. Plan to use it for the 20 amp circuit for my garage for openers.

Bought a big roll of 14/2 for the other stuff. 450' I'll use that until I run out.

Now I just put the final touches on my wiring layout and start banging boxes and pulling wire. (see if you guys can leave that one alone. . .)

 

[ishiboo]

Consider a separate panel for the upstairs suite... you can run 2-2-2-4 SER a lot cheaper than a bunch of individual circuits, plus you have an accessible panel you can quickly access. I installed a 6/12 QO for my upstairs, downstairs and basement are handled by the panel in the basement.

 

[KPSquared]

That's not a bad plan. . .now if I only knew what 2-2-2-4 SER meant. .

Did I mention I'm no electrician? Just a guy that thinks he can learn and do everything him self. . .

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions soon!

 

[jvitez]

Well, got a deal I couldn't refuse on a Siemens 200 amp. Was leaning towards the square d but this just sorta came up.

Thanks for the ideas and thoughts!

My house has two of these exact same ones, 400 amp service double tapped. Panel One has low amperage loads, and is almost full of tandem single pole breakers Ridiculous amount of wire, but it fits. No nuisance tripping of the breakers either. Mine were made in Canada. Good stuff.