What Panel should I use

[minerfarmer]

I am having a 36X40 polebarn put up. I am going to divide it into a 20x36 shop and a 20X36 parking and storage. I am going to do the electrical and finish the inside of the shop myself. I have a question about the service panel. I have to bury 250 ft. of cable to get from my meter pole to the new shop. I know it is probably overkill but I have decided to use a 200 amp panel and 4/0 al. cable. I have checked the meter breaker and it has empty lugs that will accept the 4/0 cable. My question is Menards stocks a square D 200 amp QO box value pack model #QO3040M200VP for $173.00 that measures 14.25w X 29.86H X 3.75D or I can order a model QOVP1 value pack for $149.00 that measures 16.3w X 5.5H X 32.2L. I am confused by the measurements but I think I want to order the second box because the physical size is bigger. Am I missing something? Thanks for any input.

 

[pattenp]

The dimensions for the QOVP1 you are listing don't jive with Square-D. The panel number is a QO13040M200C, Where did you get those dimensions?

 

[minerfarmer]

I got the dimensions off of Menards website.

 

[minerfarmer]

I just googled QOVP1 square and it came up at Farm & Fleet for $157.00 with dimensions of 33X16X6 with cover and five 20 amp breakers.

 

[pattenp]

Look here....
http://www.cesco.com/b2c/product/540757

Also the Square D website says the panel that comes with the QOVP1 is a QO13040M200C and shows the diamensions as 14.25 X 29.86 X 3.75.
http://www.schneider-electric.us/si...t&country=US&lang=en&id=FA90172&redirect=true

I see Amazon list the dimensions as what you're seeing. Very confusing, but I'd believe the Square D site and an actual electrical supply over Amazon or such..

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Panels are generally in the 14 1/4-14 1/2" range for width to fit between studs in wall for flush mount panels anyway.
Id use the sq-d homeline version of the panel myself,breakers and panel are a lot cheaper.
I only use the QO stuff for commercial work.

 

[ishiboo]

I'd do Homeline as well. If you have plenty of room, just get a 40-space Homeline panel. The more space inside the better, and the fewer (or no) tandems the better. The panels themselves are cheap.

Homeline/QO breakers are the same internally, save for the visi trip indicator guts.

 

[minerfarmer]

I have accumulated a lot of the QO breakers over the years and that is what I have in my house so I think I will stick with the QO box. My question is if one of these boxes is deeper since it is going in a polebarn wouldn't that be better?

 

[JoeFin]

All the residential grade will be 3.75" deep for 2 x 4 walls

 

[minerfarmer]

So I ordered a panel from menards and it came in today. You guys were right about the dimensions. It is still a QO Square D 200 amp 30 space 40 circuit box with five 20 amp breakers for $142 dollars. I will be burying the entrance cable and would like to come in thru the bottom of the box. From what I can find out "convertible" simply means to turn the box upside down. The word "LINE" is stamped in the panel next to the breaker twice, once right side up and once upside down so either way you mount it the word "LINE" reads correct. Does this make sense? Thanks

 

[Random Guy]

I think "convertible" means it can be either a main lug or a main breaker panel.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I think "convertible" means it can be either a main lug or a main breaker panel.

^^^THIS^^^

Charles

 

[NUTTSGT]

So I ordered a panel from menards and it came in today. You guys were right about the dimensions. It is still a QO Square D 200 amp 30 space 40 circuit box with five 20 amp breakers for $142 dollars. I will be burying the entrance cable and would like to come in thru the bottom of the box. From what I can find out "convertible" simply means to turn the box upside down. The word "LINE" is stamped in the panel next to the breaker twice, once right side up and once upside down so either way you mount it the word "LINE" reads correct. Does this make sense? Thanks

I believe you bought the same box that I have for the garage. You can mount it with the mains at the bottom. That was my plan till I realized that I would not have enough slack in the wires as a replacing an old one.

Smart move buying the same as what you have in the house.